Sony: 'XBLA no longer market leader'

Sony's PlayStation Network is no longer lagging behind Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade, according to SCEA's director of network operations.

Microsoft's digital distribution platform had a significant head start over PSN, but Eric Lempel has insisted that his firm has now made up for lost ground.

"At this stage of the game when I really look at PSN and the entire offering I think we're in great shape. I don't think there's a lot of 'catch up' [with XBL] anymore," he told Industry Gamers.

"In some cases, I think we've got more. In terms of strengths, of course we're still free, and we're giving you a lot for free. It's not just free online gaming, but we've got PlayStation Home, which is a massive community and application that's totally free to use.

"Our video download service is also a little bit different from theirs in that we sell movies in addition to renting movies. I think there's a lot we're doing that in some cases they're not doing, and I don't see a lot of things they're doing that we're not."

Lempel recently refuted claims that another PSN firmware update is on the way, saying that there will be no NXE-style overhaul of its menu system.