User created content is nothing new to the gaming industry. For years it has been exclusive to the PC gaming market, with well known mods catapulting into their own fame, like Counter-Strike.
But now, with broadband technology on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, it has made downloading content on game conoles possible. EA plans to start bringing user-generated content through a website called TheSimsOnStage.com.
Just to clarify, this is not just a website for The Sims, although it does support that game as well. They want gamers to use this site as a sort of forum to post their own achievements and challenges online. Users can do this through recording their task and then posting it, much like a Tivo for games.
Take the game Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 for instance. I can record my face, play a course and upload it on to TheSimsOnStage.com. Then anyone of you can upload me and play against my rugged good looks–and triple bogey play style.
The SimOnStage.com also offers a video section, very similar to YouTube. They’re marketing it more towards gamers, saying you can post videos telling stories using The Sims, do stand up, sing, or whatever… so basically you can just post videos of whatever.
This isn’t exactly bringing user-content to consoles in full form, (like mods, or level creation) but it is a start. At least developers realize that there is a sea of talent in the gaming community just waiting to be tapped.
