Originally published on Playstation Underground Gamer Advisory Panel (GAP):

I was playing Resistance online the other day. I don’t have anyone on my Friend’s List yet (*sniff*) so I just joined a ranked game, and a couple of moments later I was off to play some Meltdown. It was a 32 player game, so big teams. That was cool, but when the match started, everyone just sort of ran off on their own. Now, I admit, I haven’t played too much Resistance online so it seemed kind of strange given that this was “TEAM Objective.” Pretty soon, my team got in a pinch where suddenly the opposition had all of nodes, yet everyone I was with was still trying to attack individually. We just got picked off one by one. It was a mess.

It reminded me of an article I once read somewhere about how the PS3’s online experience is crippled by the lack of a headset coming standard with each console. While I scoff at the idea that Sony’s online service is completely lacking, the Resistance experience did feel a bit shallow without the ability to coordinate with my teammates.

So I was thinking that we could start some sort of “PS3 Headset Initiative” to get everyone on the Playstation Network a headset. And what better place to suggest it than at G.A.P! The PSHSI (PlayStation HeadSet Initiative. It’s a working title.) would basically involve helping your fellow PS3 gamers find inexpensive Bluetooth or USB headsets that work with the PS3. We could set up a site and it’d be like a combination of Fatwallet (deals forum) and Cnet (tech reviews and such). I’ve seen Bluetooth headsets for $5.00 and they work. Aggregating our combined net surfing and personal experiences, we could create a wonderful and useful tool for all PS3 owners.

Two things would come out of this. One, all current PS3 owners would end up with a headset, enhancing the online, team-based or not, PS3 gaming experience. Two, it would show SCE that headsets are something the community cares about. If we’re lucky, they might even start including them standard with new PS3’s.

Imagine a Home, where everyone can communicate simply by opening their mouths and expelling controlled burst of air. The days of indicating where you want your team to go by shooting in the direction can be over. PlayStation HeadSet Initiative. Only on Playstation 3.

(Sorry, watched that Home video a few too many times. Oh, and that shooting in the direction thing, actually happened to me in SOCOM PSP. We got shot shortly after.)

Feedback would be great. Thanks.