Tag: PSN

Hands-on with LittleBigPlanet

LittleBigPlanet is here, and gamers everywhere are giddy with excitement- and that’s just the adults!  Children are going to love this game, as in fact, will anyone really.  From what I’ve experienced, I can totally see how this can be a cult classic for the cool, hardcore gamers, but still be fun for all the family.

You’ll be glad to know that my woes with Amazon did not last long.  The package was waiting for me when I arrived home.  As I hadn’t been on my PS3 for quite some time, the usual formalities were required: download firmware update, install update, restart PS3.  Time for some LittleBigPlanet goodness then?  Apparently not: two updates needed to be downloaded and installed before I could so much as look at the loading screen.

Continue reading Hands-on with LittleBigPlanet

Let’s talk about brands in the games industry

There have been a couple of articles that have piqued my interest recently; one from Rockers Delight (excellent blog, go read now if you haven’t already done so) and another from PS3 Fanboy.  Rather than address each point separately, I’d like to make this one big article on my thoughts about brands in the games industry.

First, Let’s start with what I’d like to call ‘the PLAYSTATION debacle’.  Now, up until the launch of the PLAYSTATION 3, Sony’s consoles were always endowed with the simple, effective and iconic branding ‘PlayStation’.

Before I knew it, I was bombarded with products and services such as the PLAYSTATION Eye, the PLAYSTATION Network, and the PLAYSTATION Store.  I got the feeling that this once simple and effective branding had started shouting at me. Why tinker with something like that?

Even PS3 Fanboy’s article is titled ‘No need to shout: PLAYSTATION = PlayStation’.  On their poll that they’ve got going, most people prefer the original, lower-case version (at the time of writing).  They say that in the latest firmware update (2.50) names have been changed to ‘PlayStation Store’ and ‘PlayStation Network’.  You’ve also got box art coming in that is saying ‘Only on PlayStation‘.  What the heck is going on?  This is creating brand confusion.

Before, ‘PlayStation’ was understated, but a sign of quality- a brand you could trust.  ‘PLAYSTATION’ makes the brand loud and clumsy.  People know that the PlayStation brand is good, why shout at them?!  I’m going to label this debacle as pointless and potentially damaging.  Tsk tsk Sony.

Now, moving on to the ‘New Xbox Experience’.  Microsoft are changing their brand in a different way- by seemingly leaving their loyal, hardcore gamers to one side, and seeking out new, more casual gamers ala the Wii.

Initially to me this seemed more of a ‘Mii too’ move by Microsoft which could potentially alienate existing 360 gamers and dilute their brand.  However I do believe now that if Microsoft does this right it could make their whole service become more cohesive (if that’s possible!  It’s pretty much amazing already, let’s admit) and expand their reach into new territories.  Done wrong however, and it could end up like Xbox does Teletubbies.  (I’ll save how I feel about Nintendo and it’s Wii for another article).  This is quite a bold and risky move from Microsoft.  Such crazy horses.  And you know what?  It might even pay off.

So what can we conclude from this brief look at gaming brands?  Risks have to be made to further brand reach and recognition, but getting it wrong can give the wrong impression to customers, and potentially alienate them if they feel their console of choice no longer cares about their needs.  It’s a case of branding done right, and branding done wrong.  I’d love some discussion on this matter.

(N.b.: I feel marketing is a different issue here.  I’ll try and deal with it in due course)

Global approval process in the works for PSN

Global approval process in the works for PSN– Sounds like great stuff, making it even easier for developers to get their content on the PlayStation Network (PSN).  The PSN is one of the great, open online networks out there: no fees, no overly restrictive requirements on developers and no need for publishers.

Premium Themes on the PlayStation Store

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.

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!

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?

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.

Qore

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.