We gamers may think of ourselves as occupying a space at the cutting edge of digital entertainment, but we can be as resistant to change to as anyone.
A case in point is the general head-scratching which has been taking place since Sony announced that it will rebrand the PlayStation Network (PSN) as the Sony Entertainment Network (SEN).
This didn't come as a massive surprise to us, since in October 2011, we received a briefing on the SEN from So Saida, senior director of global business strategy and development at Sony.
So what is the SEN?
The SEN is a recent construct - it soft-launched in August 2011 and went properly live three months later.
Saida explained the general philosophy behind its establishment: "In the last few years platforms have become more consistent with the introduction of tablets, smartphones and other devices. Consumers have now caught up and they are saying, 'Why should I do this?', or, 'Why should I do that?' What we are aiming foris to bring all this digital content into one place so that the users are able to access the best-of-the-best content from one place on any device."
Strands of the SEN
Initially, that meant cleaning up and reworking several of its existing digital services. Thus its cloud-based music service, Qriocity, morphed into Music Unlimited, while the PlayStation's Video Network movie rental system was merged with all the video content apps available on Sony's Bravia Connected TVs (including the likes of the iPlayer, YouTube and Sky News), re-emerging as Video Unlimited.
The company's third strand of digital content delivery was, of course, the PlayStation Network (incorporating the PS Store). Which from now on shall be known as the SEN.
So, when all the dust-clouds thrown up by the rebranding have settled, the idea is that, whatever your Sony device - PS3, PS Vita, Sony Ericsson Android phone, Sony Tablet, Sony Vaio or Bravia TV - you'll be able to access the Sony Entertainment Network, and the personalised digital content within in it that you have paid for or rent, using one username and password.
Comments
14 comments so far...
jm3811 on 6 Feb '12 said:
Sony Online Personal Account = SOPA.
sened9 on 6 Feb '12 said:
I like this SEN thing because it's the first 3 letters of my surname!
Barca Azul on 6 Feb '12 said:
They broke the store?
Can't download anything, great change!
Fr33Kye on 6 Feb '12 said:
I understand the intention and i support it but the names are really bad. Unifying sony is a good thing and i hope some very positive changes take place under kaz.
Barca Azul on 6 Feb '12 said:
It makes sense and they should combine the Internet TV content that I've on my TV with the PS3 too.
However, I'd like my four euro back that I spent and couldn't download last night. How will this work with my PSN voucher of 50 Euros that I haven't redeemed yet? When will the store work again? How will I be able to update to one account for my Bravia TV and PS3?
slothfull9 on 6 Feb '12 said:
And let's hope they get the security right, too.
jm3811 on 6 Feb '12 said:
The trouble with Sony is that they have lost a lot of their credibility recently. Plus the gaming pimp industry is not helping.
The main reason they change the name is the horrible unreliability of their network: more than 10% down last year, including the xmas holiday. And non secure.
Thank god I have a stock of PS2.
thecresta on 6 Feb '12 said:
I would never put all of my digital entertainment requirements in the hands of Sony.
The number of times PSN goes down for maintenance over a weekend, or the store experiences purchasing or download problems with no explanation or even ETA for a fix...
Reliability is the key feature for such a service, and Sony have already proven that they can't provide on this front.
Imaduck on 6 Feb '12 said:
New logo looks like a f**king Strepsils box to be fair
TheLastDodo on 6 Feb '12 said:
Exactly.
Not to mention, if PSN is hacked it's only PSN affected, now if "SEN" is hacked then surely everything is affected?
MD1500 on 7 Feb '12 said:
They ought to have called their network Sony Online Network Yes - the acronym would be perfect.
Old Skool Gamer on 7 Feb '12 said:
Now Ken's in charge I think a whole new network built from the ground up is in store to rival XBOX LIVE.
Barca Azul on 7 Feb '12 said:
Look like there will be a FW update today or tomorrow!
gmcb007 on 7 Feb '12 said:
No offense but after last year's events, is it smart to put all your eggs in the one basket so to speak. Surely this would be even more damaging if it was to be hacked again?