I used to be a PC gamer but I can never seem to keep up hardware-wise, so now that I've given up and I'm on a laptop with a integrated video card, I think I want to give console gaming a try. Thusly, I'm thinking of getting a Playstation 3. A few questions...

a) How is Playstation Network (PSN)? I know it's no "Xbox Live", but is it functional enough where I'll easily be able to play my hockey games online and have fun? Are there a lot of people on most games all the time? Is the lag okay on a reasonably fast wireless cable network? As that's what I'll be using.

b) Going along with gaming online, let's talk specifics... is there still a lot of people playing Grand Theft Auto IV on Playstation 3? What about something with a "sequal" already succeeding it, like NHL 09? If I bought NHL 09 cheap for PS3, would people be online looking to play? And what about Little Big Planet?

c) What other things can I do with PSN other than play games? I'm guessing downloading demos, classic games, little indie games, that kind of stuff. I know there's a browser. Any other more community oriented things?

And most important, would anyone here recommend it over Xbox 360? Looking over the games catalog, PS3 has more exclusives that suit me better (MGS4, Little Big Planet, God of War III, Final Fantasy XIV in the future, Heavy Rain) unlike the Xbox 360 (Halo, Fable, Gears of War). Of course, there's plenty of games that belong on both consoles that I like as well. GTA IV, the EA games NHL series, Fallout 3, etc.

However, most of my friends have Xbox 360 (so I kind of wish I could play with them) and the most important part of getting this console is solid online multiplayer... which is why Xbox Live kind of appeals to me...


So yeah, I dunno. I've been wracking my brain trying to decide which is best for me and I'm leaning towards the Playstation 3. I don't know why, maybe I'm insane, but I'm curious of the random OnRPG forumgoers opinion. Go nuts.



Oh, and P.S: I don't own many movies and certainly no blu-ray discs... so the fact it's a blu-ray player as well really doesn't do much for me. I may watch my burned DVD's on it from time to time though. I watch most of my television shows and movies on my laptop (which will now have more HD space that I've given up PC gaming lol).