Premium Themes on the PlayStation Store– I suppose new content like this is good as there’s always going to be someone out there with money burning a hole in their pocket. Personally though, themes don’t appeal to me. I like the clean, elegant XMB that is there as default. I’ve even got rid of my wallpaper. Just too distracting. See also, TheSixthAxis’ report.
Tag: PLAYSTATION Network
Resistance 2 Collector’s Edition cover for Europe
Whilst the good-old USA gets to have a vote on which cover (out of 3) they’d like, apparently SCEE has already chosen for Europe. It’s this one:
My thoughts on this cover? Erm, not too keen, but it’s good enough I suppose. Totally clashes with the first game’s cover to be honest. But beggars can’t be choosers?
Burnout Paradise becomes a PSN download this Fall
Burnout Paradise becomes a PSN download this Fall– Cool, the PlayStation Store could do with more full PS3 games (that go to retail stores as boxed versions) as digital distribution is the way forward. Seriously, what’s the harm in doing both? Warhawk and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue are great examples.
Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty clocks in at 2.3GB
Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty clocks in at 2.3GB– With a 40GB hard drive in my PS3, I’m thinking I need to upgrade to a more spacious size! That reminds me, I must get round to buying Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction. Found out from testfreaks.co.uk that I can get it for as little as £12 on EBay, or £35 on Amazon. Decisions!
The Stone Age Gamer
This article originally appeared on TheSixthAxis on July 25, 2008
Let’s talk tasty treats for a moment, shall we? The general consensus is that as tasty as vanilla is, it just has to be chocolate. Chocolate is so much richer and decadent than vanilla. Right- keep those thoughts of ice cream and chocolate in the back of your mind for the minute. All shall be revealed in due course…
I had a discussion the other day with a fellow PS3 gamer. You’d have thought that we perhaps shared common ground? Wrong. Very wrong indeed. I was talking to this gamer about the latest PS3 update and the Trophy system that had been added. I received a blank look. That wasn’t a good sign, I thought.
I then venture out and ask whether he’s played online at all with his PS3. He said he hadn’t. It turns out that he hasn’t even registered with the PlayStation Network! This means, my friends, that he has not experienced the soft, blue glow of the PlayStation Store containing all the latest PS3 game demos, PSN games, film trailers, themes and more. He will also not be able to collect Trophies without registering, let alone play any games online- the bread and butter of the online experience.
I mentioned all of this to him. He didn’t care. He told me that he ‘just wants to play games’. I have to admit that it had never occured to me until now that there were gamers out there who didn’t care about what else they could do apart from play games. In my opinion they are not getting the fullest, richest experience. They are munching on plain vanilla ice cream.
I however, am indulging on the rich chocolate experience of the PlayStation Network which is a glorious feast for the senses and showcases some simply cracking entertainment. I wouldn’t have it any other way. This writer is a trully next generation gamer, not stuck in the Stone Age.
This leaves me wondering: which category do you fall under? And do you know any other gamers who are like this? Feel free to leave a comment on this subject, or send me some hate mail if I’ve really rattled some cages. Till next time!
Valve reiterates Portal: Still Alive not coming to PSN
Valve reiterates Portal: Still Alive not coming to PSN– This is a real shame, as it would have been a great addition to the range of games available on the PlayStation Network. Can anyone tell me though, why does Valve hate the PlayStation 3 so much? Seriously?
How To Play: Eden
How To Play: Eden– An excellent quick-but-informative guide by TheSixthAxis to playing PixelJunk Eden, now that the demo is out on the PlayStation Store. Can’t wait for the full game to be released!
The Sixth Axis: My First Trophy
The Sixth Axis: My First Trophy– Super Stardust HD is currently the only PS3 game to support trophies. This makes me wonder how much this will have increased sales of the game. And yes, I’m currently addicted to it!
Qore Announcement: the aftermath
As this latest, and very interesting announcement is quickly spreading out across the internet, it is time to take stock and see what everyone’s reaction is.
The controversy
At the crux of this matter, is that fact that Sony wants you to pay for Qore. However in Sony’s defence is the fact that there is some pretty tasty content on offer:
Qore will feature exclusive news, developer interviews, in-depth game previews and behind-the-scenes looks at PlayStation games and special access to game demos, special beta invitations, game add-ons and other downloadable game-related content.
However I feel that such content should probably be free if the PlayStation Network is to compete effectively against Xbox Live. With Qore charging for content, there is a danger that the PlayStation Network will be a two-tier system.
Reactions
I will now round up a sample of Qore-related news to gauge reaction to Sony’s decision.
The Sixth Axis- Paid PSN Subscriptions Arrive
Attention-grabbing headline, but not strictly true. The majority of content on the PlayStation Network such as trailers and demos are free to access, with the exception of full games which of course, require payment. Let’s not forget that online gaming remains free. It just depends on how exclusive Qore’s content really is, and whether it will choke the rest of the PlayStation Store.
PS3 Fanboy- Sony reveals Qore – an interactive gaming program for the PSN
The article remains quite neutral throughout this article and doesn’t specifically comment on the cost. However there is some disappointing news in store.
There’s no word on whether this will be released outside of America, but we have contacted Sony Europe to get an answer either way. [UPDATE] Our SCEE rep has sadly informed us that “Qore is an SCEA only initiative at this time”. How disappointing.
That’s quite a blow, especially considering that Qore would probably be ‘almost’ perfect for the UK as well. I’m guessing it has something to do with the UK being part of Europe and the issue of localisation. We speak English too! Such archaic business practices make you want to scream.
Wired- Qore: New PS3 Online Mag Charges You For Game Demos
This article goes into quite a lot of detail about everything! Quite objective, and tells it like it is. Not really much to say apart from it compares the PlayStation Network against Xbox Live, which is interesting. The opinion for pricing is definitely worth a read though.
My only question is whether the value-add over what Sony was already providing for free justifies the minimum $25/year cost for the information. Although wrapping it in the very pretty package of an interactive magazine does make it seem a lot less like Sony is backpedaling on their stance of a largely free online environment, they’d be silly to release any really good demos, trailers, or interviews in the free section of PS3’s network from here on out — not when any halfway decent piece of content is another potential carrot to get users to pay them $3.
To conclude
The price issue is important to many people, with some agreeing to pay the $3 a month, and others who won’t pay it. The fact that only SCEA is running Qore and that SCEE isn’t a part of it is interesting. The US (heavily capitalist) market puts up with a lot more ads and subscriptions than the rest of the world, so maybe the launch of Qore in the US is Sony testing the waters. Who knows? Qore may appear in Europe and elsewhere in a slightly different format. The big question, is what if the European Store gets the demos and trailers that the Americans have to pay for, for free?
Very interesting.
Introducing Qore: Taking you behind the curtain with PlayStation
Introducing Qore: Taking you behind the curtain with PlayStation– The concept is innovative, it’s hosted by Veronica Belmont, BUT it is not free. What gives? I feel Sony should have offered this free to PS3 users however I guess that all the exclusives that are promised might just about justify this. It’ll be interesting to find out UK pricing and availability.