Soooo yah, Sony is no longer the technology partner for Pottermore.
This post really should have been posted a good deal ago, but instead of apologizing, let's get into the information. In the press release dated April 9th, Pottermore states that:
"Pottermore, the digital initiative from author J.K. Rowling devoted to the world of Harry Potter, today reported the conclusion of its successful relationship with its primary commercial partner Sony.
Pottermore.com launched in 2012 and has garnered millions of registered
users. Sony was involved in the site’s development, and provided both
commercial and creative support."
A few of you probably knew this, and a good deal also probably jumped for joy knowing part of what this meant. While the Sony partnership was a good one to start with, leading to Pottermore games on the Sony PS3 and the pottermore e-reader produced by Sony, Sony is a HIGHLY limiting partner to be with, and one that I am quite glad that they got rid of.
Why be glad you may ask? Well, it's a matter of being able to interact with others, and playing nicely. While Sony may produce good electronics... I'd say in terms of software and design... they're par. Just par. Sony is a good branding partner, but really, in what they can provide, it's somewhat limited, and they were most likely chosen because Sony would be on more equal footing with Pottermore than Pottermore would have been with other companies like Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Google, or Nintendo*.
Now why do we care? Well, the answer is simply 3rd party support. You want a Pottermore App? Sony is the reason one couldn't be made. You want Pottermore games NOT on the Playstation. Sony was why that couldn't happen. I honestly think Pottermore as it is now is MADE for the Wii U or 3ds, if they allowed the spell casting to be done by tracing the shape quickly and accurately with the stylus (think Okamii for those who know it). Potion brewing, so many other games could be done with help with Nintendo. Even better, EA could come back as a partner of sorts for the Potter franchise and Pottermore, and use this as a way to bring Quidditch to Pottermore, as one of the few things EA does well being sports games.
So good riddance Sony. Good riddance.
*Nintendo would be the like... BEST fit for a parter for Pottermore, but I think that their focus on games, and their general focus on games kept them from properly bonding with Pottermore in a professional business function. Even better on the games aspect is the link between the pokemon games and the global link, something I think could be done well with Pottermore over time.
A few of you probably knew this, and a good deal also probably jumped for joy knowing part of what this meant. While the Sony partnership was a good one to start with, leading to Pottermore games on the Sony PS3 and the pottermore e-reader produced by Sony, Sony is a HIGHLY limiting partner to be with, and one that I am quite glad that they got rid of.
Why be glad you may ask? Well, it's a matter of being able to interact with others, and playing nicely. While Sony may produce good electronics... I'd say in terms of software and design... they're par. Just par. Sony is a good branding partner, but really, in what they can provide, it's somewhat limited, and they were most likely chosen because Sony would be on more equal footing with Pottermore than Pottermore would have been with other companies like Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Google, or Nintendo*.
Now why do we care? Well, the answer is simply 3rd party support. You want a Pottermore App? Sony is the reason one couldn't be made. You want Pottermore games NOT on the Playstation. Sony was why that couldn't happen. I honestly think Pottermore as it is now is MADE for the Wii U or 3ds, if they allowed the spell casting to be done by tracing the shape quickly and accurately with the stylus (think Okamii for those who know it). Potion brewing, so many other games could be done with help with Nintendo. Even better, EA could come back as a partner of sorts for the Potter franchise and Pottermore, and use this as a way to bring Quidditch to Pottermore, as one of the few things EA does well being sports games.
So good riddance Sony. Good riddance.
*Nintendo would be the like... BEST fit for a parter for Pottermore, but I think that their focus on games, and their general focus on games kept them from properly bonding with Pottermore in a professional business function. Even better on the games aspect is the link between the pokemon games and the global link, something I think could be done well with Pottermore over time.
This was an example of be careful of what you wish for. When Sony took over, they used Pottermore as a mechanism to sell their Books of Spells and then their Book of Potions PlayStation games. The direction of the Pottermore site became more so an advertising medium for Sony than a dedicated Harry Potter fan site. There were initial cheers and applauds at some new features, but it soon became apparent of effects resultant. The Common Rooms became inundated with uncaring adolescents, enticed by the lure of gaming and multiple chat rooms. They had no care or concern for Harry Potter and when they found that gaming actually required an effort, they then resorted to inappropriate role play, self-indulgent drama, or bullies. When they discovered they could make endless numbers of accounts, the bullies and malcontents transformed into trolls, and had great fun at the expense of others via the worthless reporting system. When and if you tried to communicate with Pottermore, either by the site's contact mechanism or by email, we were greeted by condescending canned responses. They would deny that problems existed or tell us they didn't have time to deal with us. They then started chopping away at the books, but tried to conceal it by introducing "look nice" features ... and they also directed towards the gaming aspect. They denied for so long that there were major problems and that their moderation system was sound, then ... we have this new update. One can only laugh and shake your head. The purpose for the major site change (in particular the commenting) seems to be because of the stuff that they have been denying for so long. When the Carrows (Sony) were brought in to operate and manage Pottermore, it went to hell in a hand basket. We can only hope that after the Battle for Hogwarts (Pottermore) is over, a new Headmaster/Headmistress will implement changes for the better.
ReplyDelete