1. Middleware to support inter-console
communication
Danny O’Connor, 0747076 – Michael Shaw, 0742597

2.  GameTie is a middleware solution to take the
current online communities of console
gaming – specifically PlayStation Network and
Xbox LIVE - and unify them using a
middleware solution without affecting the
consoles or the way that they are used. This
would allow a wider online community and
remove the platform dependency issues
associated with online play.

3.  The two big consoles that support online play
both have separate communities.
 PlayStation users can only play with other
PlayStation users
 Xbox users can only play with other Xbox
users.
 New gamers are forced to choose

5.  The objective of this business is to provide a
middleware solution that will allow both
online communities to connect on a common
ground
 This would allow Xbox users to play with
PlayStation users (and vice versa)
 Intercommunicative Online Console Gaming
within a MUCH larger community

7.  We believe that this proposition is both
technologically and monetarily feasible
 Costs would involve investigating the
console-server communication…
 …and then developing a stable middleware
element allowing console communication
 Much of the work involved could be
outsourced

8. ‣ Getting Sony and Microsoft jump on board?
‣ It would be imperative that the service
functions efficiently and to the users’
satisfaction
‣ Synchronization between consoles
‣ Communication between consoles

9.  Games developers will snap at the concept as
it increases potential for online play
 Developers and players will pressure the
manufactures to accept concept.
 Bigger Community means wider collaboration
amongst gamers.

10.  As of February 5th 2010 Xbox LIVE has a user
base of 23 million members approximately
 As of June 14th 2010 PSN has a user base of
50 million members approximately
 Both communities are still rapidly growing in
their number of registered users
 With the maturity of the service, GameTie
would eventually be capable of supporting
both communities

11.  Sell middleware to games developers for a
license
 License would be renewed on a yearly basis
 Fee per game that utilises middleware that
developer pays

12.  Apply for Grants from enterprise boards/local
authorities.
 Look for possible investment from
philanthropists

13.  Development will be outsourced.
 Development Timeline will be 9 months.
 Testing rolled out globally.
 Testing Timeline will be ongoing
 First Beta Release within 1st year.

14.  For first market release of GameTie, we will
target a small, entry level FPS developer.
 GameTie will be free to this developer.
 If successful will bring a lot of media
attention to developer and GameTie.
 For subsequent Games the developers will
have to pay the full licensing fees.

15.  http://mashable.com/2010/03/01/faceoff-xbla-vs-psn/
 http://www.allthingsdistributed.com/2008/12/
 http://www.coated.com/sony-playstation-3-users-get-hulu-plus-access-
1104201005/
 http://www.reghardware.com/2010/07/16/review_gaming_microsoft_xbox_360_250gb
_console/
 http://tiffanycarter.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/brainwav/
 http://shirt.woot.com/blog/viewentry.aspx?id=4511
 http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2010/0205-whittenletter.htm
 http://asia.playstation.com/sg/en/news/pressDetail/159150