The console MMO market lies largely untapped, mainly because few games have been developed with the console in mind, instead relying on sloppy PC ports that turn out to be nearly unplayable with a standard controller. Sony is trying to break the mold by developing several first-party games, such as The Agency (pictured) and DC Universe Online, that will appear both on the PC as well as PS3. Now the company is ready to commit to releasing all its first-party MMOs on the company’s flagship console.

When asked if all future MMOs would appear on consoles, Sony Online boss John Smedley simply answered "Yes," stating that the company is ready to test the largely uncharted waters. Smedley also dropped an interesting nugget that PlayStation 3 owners may not be asked to pay monthly subscription fees like their PC brethren. While Smedley wouldn’t confirm it, he did admit that, "there’s a chance, maybe [the games] won’t be subscription-based. Maybe the free-to-play model is the right one to use there, too." He also committed that all future MMOs would release "day and date" on the PS3 and PC, though he didn’t say if the two versions would be compatible across platforms.

So is this a good move for Sony, or is the console MMO market merely non-existent? Could it be this is one area where PCs will alway reign supreme, or has Sony potentially taken the first step in carving out a whole new audience? Anybody out there able to peel themselves away from WoW long enough to comment?