Computer programming enthusiasts will soon be able to develop their own games and put them on the Web for others to download and play, as Sony Corp’s Computer Entertainment Europe division announces the launch of Net Yaroze. Already launched in Japan, Net Yaroze is aimed at inspiring and training young games devotees. 550 pounds (UK price) will buy you access to the closed Net Yaroze Website and PlayStation hardware and Software. Development will be carried out using C++ on personal computers or Apple Macintoshes. A CD-ROM is also required, as is a modem, 10Mb of free space on a hard drive and at least 4Mb of RAM. Sony says that Net Yaroze is intended as a development community and staff will be available to offer advice, guidance and technical support. The Net Yaroze system can only be purchased direct from Sony in Europe and the company says that it has no plans to launch it in the US and does not expect to make much of a profit from the scheme. Once a programmer has developed a game they can choose whether they want to have it put on the Yazore Web page, something that Sony will encourage, enabling other programmers, developers and enthusiasts to gain access. Unlike the commercial PlayStation, new games will have to be downloaded to, and played on a personal computer, enhancing security and ensuring exclusive access rights are maintained. Potential programmers will require a competent knowledge of the C++ language and an understanding of a 2D graphic creation and editing tool. Yaroze is the brainchild of PlayStation inventor Ken Kutaragi, and the company is teaming up with educational establishments across the UK to offer students video gaming courses using the new product. Sony believes that it will turn back the clock and return to the 1980’s when young creative types were programming and developing games for machines such as the Commodore 64, the Amiga and the Sinclair Spectrum, resulted in the likes of teenage programmers Richard and David Darling becoming millionaires.
