Sony has revealed plans to launch a monthly games show on the US PlayStation Store, entitled Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network.
Produced by our friends over at Future US, Qore is an interactive "monthly digital program" that promises to deliver "exclusive playable demos, game previews, strategies and interviews with developers and key industry figures" via the US PSN Store, which debuts on June 5.
The currently US-exclusive program can either be purchased for "an introductory price" of $2.99 for the first episode, or splash out on a 13-episode subscription for $24.99.
As for us seeing Qore in the UK Store, Sony has told CVG: "SCEE are constantly looking at ways in which we can offer the best digital content to PS3 owners and PSN subscribers. With this in mind, we're currently in discussion with media partners, including Future Plc to explore a variety of options."
The show will be hosted by Veronica Belmont who, in case you don't know (or never cared) appeared in numerous other online video shows. The first episode containing "never before released" content on Socom: U.S Navy Seals Confrontation, Star Wars: the Force Unleashed, Secret Agent Clank, Soul Calibur 4 and Afro Samurai.
You can see Veronica (calm down boys) giving an introduction to Qore on the official PlayStation Blog.
Actually, re-reading the article, we'd be better off if it didn't come to the UK.
The words "Exclusive playable demos" basically sound to me that they're going to try and do a Microsoft, and deny people certain playable demos unless they subscribe. Ironic, considering demos are basically adverts for games...
Seems to me to be a sort of subscription service for the PSN...as you're paying to get access to premium products. I really can't believe they are charging people for it, you can watch crap like that on gametrailers in HD every week. If it does end up over here, i shant be interested. Half of the videos will end up on youtube within minutes anyway.
suppose this is a way of them making money from free online... oh well its either 24 for a online magazine thats pretty naff and you get free online or 40 for xbox live, ill just stick to ps3 without the stupid qore thing
Ah superb, now I can pay for all the free stuff that I read and watch on the internet.
First Wiiware, where I get to pay for all my retro games that I have emulated again, and now this QORE stuff that lets me part with yet more cash to read some biased reviews!
Man, the gaming world just gets better and better...
Pathetic and pointless. PSN has been advertised as free and should remain free. Yeah, playing games online is free, but things like this should be also. I don't care, i only use the PSN store for demo's and even then only very rarely. This won't interest me when it makes its way here.
As we get shat on with regards to pricing in Europe anyway, we should get this s**t for free. And Future... You should hang your heads in shame, as it was no doubt your US marketing dept that thought up and pitched this bulls**t fee-generator in the first place.
SCEE are constantly looking at ways in which we can offer the best digital content to PS3 owners and PSN subscribers.
Really, could have fooled me!....unless they mean they are constantly looking ways to offer the best digital content to PS3 owners......but never do anything about it.
I just wonder how long it will be before PSN isn't actually free at all. It's only a matter of time.
From paper based magazines, to magazines with cassettes, to magazines with CD's & DVD's, to the internet...
Now selling content and 'exclusive' demos to Sony & PSN.
No doubt the subscription fee will go towards securing the odd demo that would normally hit the PSN for free, plus paying for collation of web content (reviews, screen-shots, etc).
I just hope that the actual content is really worth it for the layman, because frankly even this site (CVG) is late with its news. Anyway, I guess there are a lot of monkies out there who don't know how to use the internet.
SCEE are constantly looking at ways in which we can offer the best digital content to PS3 owners and PSN subscribers.
Really, could have fooled me!....unless they mean they are constantly looking ways to offer the best digital content to PS3 owners......but never do anything about it.
I just wonder how long it will be before PSN isn't actually free at all. It's only a matter of time.
Hold onto your horses young man... Sony might be looking for ways to improve the PSN, but companies like Future Publishing are putting in their PQQ's to Sony's ITT's.
It isn't so much PSN that is charging for this magazine, its Future. Consider this more like your old school trundle down to the shops to buy the latest PC Format or something. My main concern is that Future will steal demos away from Sony / free PSN (and the leeching consumer), because they'll be more direct with games developers.
Sony doesn't bring a great deal of content (demos, themes, etc) to PSN each week and it is a free service. Future's magazine is additional premium content as much as anything. Whether you pay or don't pay for this - Sony will still bring free online gaming, demos, themes, etc.
I couldn't give a flying fart about Future publishing......(and guess where this website/magazine comes from!!) PSN need to square their own 'free' content away before looking at taking on 'premium' subscription based content.
There's no such thing as a free lunch, whilst PSN may be free, you definitely get what you don't pay for....in it's current guise that is a distinct lack of content. I've no doubt that once this sort of thing starts up, Sony will rub their hands with glee and concentrate less than they already do about the 'free' service that they are currently providing and put more time and effort into hosting these sort of services which will earn them money too.
I think they have to either hold their hands up, make a small charge for PSN and then do a proper job on it or stick to their guns and provide a free service which is properly supported.
How many people are really prepared to pay money for this? I mean, there's already gaming t.v shows for free and there's the internet too, most of us probably already splash out on a mag monthly so i see that as enough!
I couldn't give a flying fart about Future publishing......(and guess where this website/magazine comes from!!) PSN need to square their own 'free' content away before looking at taking on 'premium' subscription based content.
There's no such thing as a free lunch, whilst PSN may be free, you definitely get what you don't pay for....in it's current guise that is a distinct lack of content. I've no doubt that once this sort of thing starts up, Sony will rub their hands with glee and concentrate less than they already do about the 'free' service that they are currently providing and put more time and effort into hosting these sort of services which will earn them money too.
I think they have to either hold their hands up, make a small charge for PSN and then do a proper job on it or stick to their guns and provide a free service which is properly supported.
I don't agree. Not in the slightest. What you're suggesting is like agreeing to a dictator's plans.
This Future magazine is monthly. PSN provides free demos, themes, trailers, etc, on a weekly basis. End of.
I'd much rather "opt-in" to buying a single magazine - maybe on one particular month for a paltry fee just because I'm bored - or want to play one particular demo, rather than pay a whopping huge subscription for the next year and not knowing what I'm going to get from it (AKA XBox Live). At least I'll know what I'm buying when I get a magazine!
eh??? whats goin on here then??? last i checked it's basically an online magazine that you can EITHER pay for or not! (i'm fairly confident that these 'demos' will still come up on the store) its just stuff like betas that they MAY have wrapped up! either way, EVENTUALLY they will come to the store...but you may have to pay for the privilidge of getting it sooner rather than later....what is the problem here??
"rather than pay a whopping huge subscription for the next year and not knowing what I'm going to get from it (AKA XBox Live)."
Ahem. But you paid Ł300 (minimum) for your PS3.
And anyway, I do know what im going to get for my 75p per week; demos; themes; gamerpics; videos; the opportunity to chat to my freinds whilst playing games; (usually) very reliable servers to play online and a new XLA game every Wednesday (ill at least try the demo, which is free).
So i see what you mean in this age of commercialism in which we live in I am being ripped off, how dare they charge a weekly rate of a can of juice and a chomp for all that.
"rather than pay a whopping huge subscription for the next year and not knowing what I'm going to get from it (AKA XBox Live)."
Ahem. But you paid Ł300 (minimum) for your PS3.
And anyway, I do know what im going to get for my 75p per week; demos; themes; gamerpics; videos; the opportunity to chat to my freinds whilst playing games; (usually) very reliable servers to play online and a new XLA game every Wednesday (ill at least try the demo, which is free).
So i see what you mean in this age of commercialism in which we live in I am being ripped off, how dare they charge a weekly rate of a can of juice and a chomp for all that.
Actually - no. You don't know what you're getting for your money each week. Not until it arrives. You've already paid in advance. Microsoft could just as easy decide to deliver rubbish content that you really don't want, let alone want to pay for.
PSN = free demos, themes, trailers, reliable servers. At no cost to the consumer. Being able to chat to friends whilst playing games just depends on the game with the PS3. If the game supports it - then you can do it - at no additional cost. That has nothing to do with PSN, it is an O/S issue.
This Future magazine is monthly. PSN provides free demos, themes, trailers, etc, on a weekly basis. End of.
I'd much rather "opt-in" to buying a single magazine - maybe on one particular month for a paltry fee just because I'm bored - or want to play one particular demo, rather than pay a whopping huge subscription for the next year and not knowing what I'm going to get from it (AKA XBox Live). At least I'll know what I'm buying when I get a magazine!
What you're describing there isn't PSN, the content is shocking and I'm not saying it should go one way or another. What I am saying is that it needs sorting out.
If they can keep PSN free, then great as that is what Sony have promised. But at the moment, PSN is crap. The weekly demo's, themes and trailors you are claiming are a joke. 'End of'
This Future magazine is monthly. PSN provides free demos, themes, trailers, etc, on a weekly basis. End of.
I'd much rather "opt-in" to buying a single magazine - maybe on one particular month for a paltry fee just because I'm bored - or want to play one particular demo, rather than pay a whopping huge subscription for the next year and not knowing what I'm going to get from it (AKA XBox Live). At least I'll know what I'm buying when I get a magazine!
What you're describing there isn't PSN, the content is shocking and I'm not saying it should go one way or another. What I am saying is that it needs sorting out.
If they can keep PSN free, then great as that is what Sony have promised. But at the moment, PSN is crap. The weekly demo's, themes and trailors you are claiming are a joke. 'End of'
Bang on the money. We may get weekly updates, but there's usually sod all on them. We get demos later thean Xbox Live, we get content months (and months) after Japan and the US. It's a joke. Not a Ha-ha joke either, a f**k you europe joke. Which is by far the worst.
What you're describing there isn't PSN, the content is shocking and I'm not saying it should go one way or another. What I am saying is that it needs sorting out.
This article is about what? The August arrival of movies on PSN is for what? In Game XMB's arrival is for what? PS2 backward compatibility being brought to the 40GB PS3 is about what?
At least when you say "it needs sorting out", have an opinion on what you'd like to see instead of just blind hating.
If they can keep PSN free, then great as that is what Sony have promised. But at the moment, PSN is crap. The weekly demo's, themes and trailors you are claiming are a joke. 'End of'
PSN is free and will remain free. Additional content may be PPV and at that point you pay for what you want to get. At least that model is a damn sight better than you may not get what you pay for.
PSN content will increase & improve. Let me also point out that you're most likely getting the same multi-platform trailers and demos on XBL as on PSN. Some XBL exclusive games are good, some are rubbish. With more PSN games coming through - some of those exclusive, the only difference will be the Ł40 a year XBots are currently forced to pay just to get online gaming.
"rather than pay a whopping huge subscription for the next year and not knowing what I'm going to get from it (AKA XBox Live)."
Ahem. But you paid Ł300 (minimum) for your PS3.
And anyway, I do know what im going to get for my 75p per week; demos; themes; gamerpics; videos; the opportunity to chat to my freinds whilst playing games; (usually) very reliable servers to play online and a new XLA game every Wednesday (ill at least try the demo, which is free).
So i see what you mean in this age of commercialism in which we live in I am being ripped off, how dare they charge a weekly rate of a can of juice and a chomp for all that.
Actually - no. You don't know what you're getting for your money each week. Not until it arrives. You've already paid in advance. Microsoft could just as easy decide to deliver rubbish content that you really don't want, let alone want to pay for.
PSN = free demos, themes, trailers, reliable servers. At no cost to the consumer. Being able to chat to friends whilst playing games just depends on the game with the PS3. If the game supports it - then you can do it - at no additional cost. That has nothing to do with PSN, it is an O/S issue.
We pay for everything nowadays, everything. I personally feel that XBL is great value for money, and that it is money well spent. Going by the reaction of PS3 owners here, I think they would be happy to pay 75p per week for a similair service.
Let me also point out that you're most likely getting the same multi-platform trailers and demos on XBL as on PSN.....
Let me point out that I'm not likely getting any of the above because I don't own a 360 or a PS3.
I do know however, from personal experience that PSN does not compare with LIVE in any way, shape or form.
At least when you say "it needs sorting out", have an opinion on what you'd like to see instead of just blind hating.
I'm not hating anything, my previous post explained it all. Sony need to sort PSN out by either keeping it free and getting a grip of the content because it is distinctly lacking or charge a small subscription and drastically change it.
At least that model is a damn sight better than you may not get what you pay for.
In the case of PSN and LIVE, the PSN model is certainly not better. LIVE is proven, supported, has loads of demos, downloads, trailors which can be previewed etc whilst PSN doesn't even pale in comparison, it simply doesn't compare... 'end of'. Arguing that LIVE is a service that you may not get what you pay for is unfounded. I don't know many people that are unhappy with the service provided and that don't think it is worth less than the Ł1 that they pay each week.
PSN content will increase & improve......
So what's been the excuse for the last 15 months? It's not as if they haven't had time to sort this out when US/Japan get a different level of support.
Honestly who cares if this service is put up, you either decide to pay for it or you don't simple as. If they got exclusive demos they would surely be timed and would eventually become free anyway to give a game maximum exposure.
Honestly who cares if this service is put up, you either decide to pay for it or you don't simple as.
Sony will care, because if it proves popular then other subscription services will suddenly spring out of nowhere. Now, if that happens what do you think will happen to the free service that is PSN considering that it is largely ignored by Sony anyway?
They have 2 options:
1) Continue to ignore PSN that they support for free and watch another company cream in the profit for re-gurgitating content that is largely found for free all over the net.
2) Charge for PSN because people are prepared to pay for crap. Lets hope that any subscription based service is ignored by the masses. Sony may have said that PSN will always remain free - have they always kept their promises?
you only pay for online play with XBOX LIVE..not the marketplace content
the 'inside xbox' feature(which this new PSN feature sounds like)is updated every day,and you only need silver to access that...demos and other content,again you only need silver to access that..although you have to wait a week after GOLD users get it
there were rumours last year that OXM was gonna start appearing on the marketplace but this never happened,this seems like the same kind of idea
instead of this,why not just get PCzine/360zine or PS3zine to your desktop...its pretty good(and free)
EDIT oh and CVG...should it be program here or should it be programme?...or did you just copy the whole thing of Kotaku?,LOL
In the case of PSN and LIVE, the PSN model is certainly not better. LIVE is proven, supported, has loads of demos, downloads, trailors which can be previewed etc whilst PSN doesn't even pale in comparison, it simply doesn't compare... 'end of'. Arguing that LIVE is a service that you may not get what you pay for is unfounded. I don't know many people that are unhappy with the service provided and that don't think it is worth less than the Ł1 that they pay each week.
As metallicorphan just mentioned, the entire above discussion isn't really relevant anyway, as the demos and preview movies on XBox Live are free, it's only the (substandard, laggy) online play you're throwing away your Ł40 for.
They do make the non-paying users wait an extra week for the free content on XBL, though. The gits.
Honestly who cares if this service is put up, you either decide to pay for it or you don't simple as.
Sony will care, because if it proves popular then other subscription services will suddenly spring out of nowhere. Now, if that happens what do you think will happen to the free service that is PSN considering that it is largely ignored by Sony anyway?
They have 2 options:
1) Continue to ignore PSN that they support for free and watch another company cream in the profit for re-gurgitating content that is largely found for free all over the net.
2) Charge for PSN because people are prepared to pay for crap. Lets hope that any subscription based service is ignored by the masses. Sony may have said that PSN will always remain free - have they always kept their promises?
Paradaz, you forgot option 3...
3) Keep PSN free and offer other separate channels for exclusive content - such as Sony (studio) movies, other network movies & TV shows and other things besides. i.e. Exactly what they are doing now.
What you seem unable to understand is that each of these channel offerings does pay Sony a royalty (so Sony doesn't lose out like you claim), plus it makes their service far more attractive to the consumer, ergo more subscribers. The royalties earned from these channels can help to run and keep PSN free and otherwise subsidize other free content.
End result = PSN remains free. Content is charged on a per item basis, without a required subscription fee.
As metallicorphan just mentioned, the entire above discussion isn't really relevant anyway, as the demos and preview movies on XBox Live are free, it's only the (substandard, laggy) online play you're throwing away your Ł40 for.
They do make the non-paying users wait an extra week for the free content on XBL, though. The gits.
Well thanks Sunscramble - because that's exactly the point Paradaz doesn't seem to get and his ramblings really are irrelevant.
PSN is summed up as 3 things...
1> A connection to the network: FREE > Connect to other gamers to allow online gaming, voice chat, message swapping, etc.
2> Sony specific services: FREE > Themes, demos of PSN titles, etc. Promotional material to buy Sony PPV content (games, movies, music) for Sony to make some money!
3> 3rd party services: PPV > Channels with a variety of content, movies, TV shows, music, magazines, demos, etc. Royalties are used to subsidize the PSN's FREE services as well as make a profit for the content provider.
XBox Live is summed up as 2 things.
1. Pay Ł40 per year and get everything (except PPV content). 2. Pay nothing and get nothing! (OK - a few demos and trailers).
People who have a 360 and don't have XBL are being robbed. People who are paying for XBL are also being robbed.
Its basic stuff Paradaz. Try to get your head around it.
1. Pay Ł40 per year and get everything (except PPV content). 2. Pay nothing and get nothing! (OK - a few demos and trailers).
People who have a 360 and don't have XBL are being robbed. People who are paying for XBL are also being robbed.
I wouldn't go that far. I'd say the key differences are that Microsoft are on the right track with demos and previews, but are charging Ł40 a year for a crappy substandard gaming service, whereas Sony are on the right track with demos and previews, but their crappy substandard gaming service is currently entirely free.
For Ł40 a year, the very least you should get are dedicated servers and decent customer service. (By which I mean "Customer Service who happen to be armed with ban-sticks, and are slightly grumpy all of the time." Ideally, you'd get the ability to record a session's voice-chat on your hard-drive, for uploading-and-reporting purposes, but that's another topic entirely.
I wish I could say that MS trying to charge for online play is utterly foolhardy and that they'd be forced into an about-turn at some point in the near future, but somehow there are supposedly 12 million gullible mugs actually paying for this awfulness... The mind boggles, it truly does.
I wouldn't go that far. I'd say the key differences are that Microsoft are on the right track with demos and previews, but are charging Ł40 a year for a crappy substandard gaming service, whereas Sony are on the right track with demos and previews, but their crappy substandard gaming service is currently entirely free.
Sony's gaming network service is free and can afford to be free because the games developers need to arrange game hosting servers themselves. A lot of them use Gamespy for that. On that basis, Sony does not need to charge for the gaming network part of PSN. From a content point of view, Sony has not been able to offer very much - to the chagrin of everyone, but the addition of 3rd parties will help to fill that void as Sony works on bringing its own channels to fruition. Customers willing to pay for 3rd party content can get exactly what they want to pay for by purchasing by item as opposed to subscribing for a whole year!
Microsoft on the other hand - as you correctly point out, are trying to take it all on themselves and are charging the games developers to host game servers PLUS also charging subscribers Ł40 a year just to connect up and use the service. i.e. They are raking it in at everyone's expense. If anything, due to the downtime and need for more resource at Microsoft (to look after an ever increasing load of users, servers and content), they're actually more likely to increase the cost of XBL instead of reduce it. Add to that, XBL has been flaky since around Christmas, has had to endure and ban cheaters and is full of whining 13 years olds.
By contrast, the PSN store is the only thing that's been down since long before Christmas due to the update in April. Sony's gaming network has been up and worked brilliantly for months. Certain individual games had problems - but that's up to the games developer and the company they chose to go with to host, so that's not actually Sony's fault or the PSN's. Sony has actually gone out of its way to help developers like Infinity Ward and Rock* to get their service up and running when faced with early teething problems. They really could have just said - the problem's at your end - with your servers - you fix it. They didn't do that obviously - it would look bad on Sony if they did. Quite a lot of people do not understand how these networks interconnect (and frankly - shouldn't have to).
As far as I know- the Live subscription actually benefits developers as they don't need to run the servers, microsoft handles all that stuff- think I read it in a magazine. However, I will agree that Microsoft ought to do something about the cost of Live- seeing as Sony is (very slowly) playing catch up. I don't actually have Live myself (and I don't believe I'm being 'robbed' thanks MrPS3 as the 360 alone has offered 2 and half years worth of quality gaming), but where and when I have been on it, it's been great. I would probably get it if I has a phone connection... sigh.
As far as I know- the Live subscription actually benefits developers as they don't need to run the servers, microsoft handles all that stuff- think I read it in a magazine. However, I will agree that Microsoft ought to do something about the cost of Live- seeing as Sony is (very slowly) playing catch up. I don't actually have Live myself (and I don't believe I'm being 'robbed' thanks MrPS3 as the 360 alone has offered 2 and half years worth of quality gaming), but where and when I have been on it, it's been great. I would probably get it if I has a phone connection... sigh.
Well, clearly you're not making the most of everything the 360 has to offer, plus for every game with multi-player / online you're paying for features you don't use.
I've been paying for XBL since the days of the original Xbox, and I've never regretted a penny. By far the most reliable and easy to access online gaming experience I've ever had. Far better than PC, where servers are as hit and miss as they come, and what few games I've played on PSN, which have been near enough just as bad, and hal;f the time don't support core features.
At least with the Gold subscription you know that everyone is on the same playing field and has the same options, across every single game. I was in the middle of a game of GTA IV the other day when I saw a couple of my friends come online, and saw that they were also playing GTA IV. We set up a quick game without ever having to leave the game at all to check statuses or send messages or anything, and were straight in there chatting away.
If that's the sort of thing I have to pay for, well then I'll gladly pay it. Its a far cry from the model of having seperate friends lisst spread out across various games. Sure, *some* PS3 titles integrate with the PSN buddies. But not all of them. *Some* support voice chat, but its done through the game. I'd much rather it was handled seperately, hardware side, than each game having to work out its own programming for it. I'm pretty sure developers would to, since it frees them up to concentrate on the actual game part.
As for the content part, XBL silver members have access to pretty much all the stuff Gold members too, though they might have to wait a little longer. But just in the past week on the UK Marketplace there are over 25 games with new content added- be those trailers, demos, themes, whatever. To my recollection, no PSN update has included 25 seperate items, let alone items for 25 specific titles, and that, to me, shows just how far behind the PSN really is.
Where are the demos of PSN titles like flOw, Dark Mist, etc? I refuse to buy them now simply because you have no idea what you're getting into when you hand over your cash after wasting a fiver on Pain.
Back to this Qore thing, it reads to me like it'll be hosting seperate things to the PSN, and possibly stuff that won't come to PSN.
"monthly digital program" that promises to deliver "exclusive playable demos, game previews, strategies and interviews with developers and key industry figures"
So, just like the Xbox Insider, which you get every day for free (whether you're a Gold or Silver XBL member), only this you have to pay a sub for. And you can bet Sony will be getting a nice cut from the profits of this if it proves successful.
Look, don't get me wrong. In theory, I wholly support the PSN being free. But it sorely lacks content, not only in comparison to XBL, but even to the Wii's services, which are also free.
Do yourselves a favour and climb out of Sony's ass a little here to see the bigger picture. Yes, MS may be 'ripping me off' by forcing me to pay to play online games, but when the service is as good as it is, I have no complaints.
i sumhow feel relived at this news, simply because this is the final nail for me im so used to sony europe getting treated last and shat on anyway that this is really no surprise at all.
game shows like the playstation day do nothing but amuse me, they admit that what they said at the start wrong (the launch was a complete mess, they really were the last to know then eh?) but THIS time everythings goin to change!! why?! because we have.. err... killzone! thas right a game thats been delayed (sony's new favourite word) more times than anyone can count. what else have we got..HAZE! yes our saviour!, whats great about it? well... err..we have korn playing the soundtrack?, well thats gonna boost some buys cus the game alone sucks a load of ass! what else you say ? hmm.. YES gran turismo prolouge, while i wont bash much they still have to admit it is still a glorified demo of whats to come.
speaking of demo's, let me just get this straight, the weekly update, the one us europeans get shafted on week by week while sony europe sit back and laugh raking it in while shaking there head to say "where trying, where looking into, we will let you know etc etc.) are now telling us we have to pay now for the same thing im sorry but no thanks!
personally, in my own opinion if ps3 didnt have GTA IV or MGS4 they wouldve been in real REAL big trouble. you cant have a "first and foremost game console" when the product for ur console ya know the GAMES are delayed more times then any other rival.
right now they can shout about how many great games are being made, but they are still getting outweighed by all the s**tty ones that end up comin out and that, is the kinda stuff that can kill a console, not to mention blatantly s**tting on customers in foreign areas and not doing a thing about it since the day of release.
As far as I know- the Live subscription actually benefits developers as they don't need to run the servers, microsoft handles all that stuff- think I read it in a magazine. However, I will agree that Microsoft ought to do something about the cost of Live- seeing as Sony is (very slowly) playing catch up. I don't actually have Live myself (and I don't believe I'm being 'robbed' thanks MrPS3 as the 360 alone has offered 2 and half years worth of quality gaming), but where and when I have been on it, it's been great. I would probably get it if I has a phone connection... sigh.
Well, clearly you're not making the most of everything the 360 has to offer, plus for every game with multi-player / online you're paying for features you don't use.
Same thing could be said if I had a PS3 though- as I mentioned, I don't have a phone line installed (Ł125 BT? No thanks). If I want a multiplayer gaming sesh, I just invite my mates round. Though there are still too many games these days requiring system link to play multiplayer- as long as I have COD and Halo I'm gonna be aaaaallright.
I've been paying for XBL since the days of the original Xbox, and I've never regretted a penny. By far the most reliable and easy to access online gaming experience I've ever had. Far better than PC, where servers are as hit and miss as they come, and what few games I've played on PSN, which have been near enough just as bad, and hal;f the time don't support core features.
At least with the Gold subscription you know that everyone is on the same playing field and has the same options, across every single game. I was in the middle of a game of GTA IV the other day when I saw a couple of my friends come online, and saw that they were also playing GTA IV. We set up a quick game without ever having to leave the game at all to check statuses or send messages or anything, and were straight in there chatting away.
If that's the sort of thing I have to pay for, well then I'll gladly pay it. Its a far cry from the model of having seperate friends lisst spread out across various games. Sure, *some* PS3 titles integrate with the PSN buddies. But not all of them. *Some* support voice chat, but its done through the game. I'd much rather it was handled seperately, hardware side, than each game having to work out its own programming for it. I'm pretty sure developers would to, since it frees them up to concentrate on the actual game part.
As for the content part, XBL silver members have access to pretty much all the stuff Gold members too, though they might have to wait a little longer. But just in the past week on the UK Marketplace there are over 25 games with new content added- be those trailers, demos, themes, whatever. To my recollection, no PSN update has included 25 seperate items, let alone items for 25 specific titles, and that, to me, shows just how far behind the PSN really is.
Where are the demos of PSN titles like flOw, Dark Mist, etc? I refuse to buy them now simply because you have no idea what you're getting into when you hand over your cash after wasting a fiver on Pain.
Back to this Qore thing, it reads to me like it'll be hosting seperate things to the PSN, and possibly stuff that won't come to PSN.
"monthly digital program" that promises to deliver "exclusive playable demos, game previews, strategies and interviews with developers and key industry figures"
So, just like the Xbox Insider, which you get every day for free (whether you're a Gold or Silver XBL member), only this you have to pay a sub for. And you can bet Sony will be getting a nice cut from the profits of this if it proves successful.
Look, don't get me wrong. In theory, I wholly support the PSN being free. But it sorely lacks content, not only in comparison to XBL, but even to the Wii's services, which are also free.
Do yourselves a favour and climb out of Sony's ass a little here to see the bigger picture. Yes, MS may be 'ripping me off' by forcing me to pay to play online games, but when the service is as good as it is, I have no complaints.
I can't think of any online games that don't in some way integrate with the PS3's friends list. Let us know what they are.
Yes, voice chat is supported (in software) by the 360 regardless of whether you're in a game or not, but you still need a Gold XBL subscription to use it (Ł40 p/a). I also think you'll find that developers very much do need to account for voice chat in 360 games as they do with custom soundtracks! There's not any way around that - the API's must be supported.
The in game voice chat feature on PS3 games is completely free - because online gaming is free. With the 2.40 SDK, developers can support voice chat and other things in a far more straightforward fashion, so expect to see more of it.
The whole point I am making is that while 'In Game XMB' is new, while Qore is new, etc... These offerings are intended to help close the gap. In the summer Sony will release a movie download channel as well. The level of content on offer will improve, but the question is the same - who wants it and who will buy it?
PSN may not have the content of XBL, but considering a lot of that 'free' content on XBL is just trailers and regurgitated web content, most people with a PC as well won't be particularly bothered. As for the 25 games on XBL - that's great. Seriously. You do still have to pay for those on top of the Ł40 per year fee though. As Sony starts to upload more PS1 and PS2 games to PSN following the 2.40 software update, that gap will close.
Same thing could be said if I had a PS3 though- as I mentioned, I don't have a phone line installed (Ł125 BT? No thanks). If I want a multiplayer gaming sesh, I just invite my mates round. Though there are still too many games these days requiring system link to play multiplayer- as long as I have COD and Halo I'm gonna be aaaaallright.
If you had broadband though, you'd get online gaming with PS3 for free.
How about Virgin Media broadband? Don't require a phone line, nor their TV service.
I can't think of any online games that don't in some way integrate with the PS3's friends list. Let us know what they are.
The MGO beta sticks out as a prime example here.
Yes, voice chat is supported (in software) by the 360 regardless of whether you're in a game or not, but you still need a Gold XBL subscription to use it (Ł40 p/a). I also think you'll find that developers very much do need to account for voice chat in 360 games as they do with custom soundtracks! There's not any way around that - the API's must be supported.
Indeed, but the tools are already there. Its just a case of linking up to them, not writing new codefor them.
The in game voice chat feature on PS3 games is completely free - because online gaming is free. With the 2.40 SDK, developers can support voice chat and other things in a far more straightforward fashion, so expect to see more of it.
That is good news. It'll be nice to see.
The whole point I am making is that while 'In Game XMB' is new, while Qore is new, etc... These offerings are intended to help close the gap. In the summer Sony will release a movie download channel as well. The level of content on offer will improve, but the question is the same - who wants it and who will buy it?
Indeed, and they are doing- and thats great. But there is a way to go yet, and Sony have had plenty of time to get these things sorted. But at least they are doing. As for the movie downloads, I'm looking forward to them. I've rented quite a few through the XBLM, and thoroguhly enjoyed it, particularly since the nearest rental shop is half an hours drive from me.
PSN may not have the content of XBL, but considering a lot of that 'free' content on XBL is just trailers and regurgitated web content, most people with a PC as well won't be particularly bothered. As for the 25 games on XBL - that's great. Seriously. You do still have to pay for those on top of the Ł40 per year fee though. As Sony starts to upload more PS1 and PS2 games to PSN following the 2.40 software update, that gap will close.
To be fair, the PSN content is exactly the same. The difference is that often the 360 marketplace gets them first, before the 'net. Gears of War 2, trailers, to cite a recent example.
By the 25 games, I meant that there were 25 titles with new content over the last week. Thats not 25 new games or whatever. And all the content for those is acessible to Silver as well as Gold members. In the last week, theres been at least 5 game demos available to download (Kung Fu Panda, Ninja Gaiden 2, Crash Time, and demo's for the two new XBL Arcade games, Boku Sudoku and Warlords) as well as the myriad of trailers and suchlike. Hell, there's two more as of today with two more XBL Arcade titles out today. Last weeks PSN update got Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo (full game only) and Rayman (full game only). No demos, a couple of wallpapers and an old MGS4 trailer.
If I was counting games you can buy, well, i believe the XBLA and Xbox Originals service number well over a hundred games now- probably closer to 150 or even 200, though I don;t know for sure. Yes, you do have to pay extra for those, of course. But again, those are available to non-paying members of Xbox Live as well...
I wouldn't be touching Virgin personally at this point in time.
What they're proposing at the moment might actively lead to Sony being charged for the bandwidth they're supplying to Virgin gamers, which could in turn lead to them being forced to charge for PSN.
Hmmmm. Virgin gamers. There's a joke in there somewhere...
Good idea, too expensive. This sort of thing should be paid for by advertising.
A Sony magazine/show about Sony games is advertising. It's funny that people will pay for it. Kinda like paying to have takeaway menus posted through your letterbox.
I wouldn't be touching Virgin personally at this point in time.
What they're proposing at the moment might actively lead to Sony being charged for the bandwidth they're supplying to Virgin gamers, which could in turn lead to them being forced to charge for PSN.
Hmmmm. Virgin gamers. There's a joke in there somewhere...
Yes, though its also fair to say Comcast are doing the same in the US and other ISP's are surely looking to follow. I read the other day that one ISP is now looking to charge per GB after a certain capped amount on their broadband service...
**EDIT** It is probably also worth mentioning this... If ISP's decide to get picky about charging subscribers for guaranteed bandwidth, then they can go about that in 2 ways.
1. Charge customers directly (increased prices = falling subscribers - so not preferable).
2. Charge the services that are using the bandwidth - so services like iPlayer, NBC and XBL. If ISP's start asking Microsoft for money to prioritize XBL bandwidth. Microsoft will be forced to increase the price of its XBL subscription. Even silver membership may then require a fee.
Sony would - given its different model - deal with this differently. 1.) PSN online gaming, voice chat, etc - remains free. Online gaming is quite low in terms of bandwidth / traffic. 3rd party servers are used for those online games anyway - so ISP's would potentially go after those sources (company determined by server IP) if any game started using too much bandwidth.
2.) The cost to download any particular item(s) would increase. Hence 3rd party channels such as movies and TV shows might increase the cost per show.
I can't think of any online games that don't in some way integrate with the PS3's friends list. Let us know what they are.
The MGO beta sticks out as a prime example here.
A beta? Come on... How about finished games?
Indeed, but the tools are already there. Its just a case of linking up to them, not writing new codefor them.
So? The v2.40 SDK is 'already there'. If you saw the videos of Bioshock on PS3, you'd know that 2K are already using the latest v2.40 software update (in game XMB) and v2.40 SDK to develop with.
Indeed, and they are doing- and thats great. But there is a way to go yet, and Sony have had plenty of time to get these things sorted. But at least they are doing. As for the movie downloads, I'm looking forward to them. I've rented quite a few through the XBLM, and thoroguhly enjoyed it, particularly since the nearest rental shop is half an hours drive from me.
Well I for one am not looking forward to movie downloads, but each to their own and that's the point of delivering more content, to cater for different needs.
To be fair, the PSN content is exactly the same. The difference is that often the 360 marketplace gets them first, before the 'net. Gears of War 2, trailers, to cite a recent example.
360 marketplace gets trailers before the 'net? Maybe the same time, but before? I very much doubt that!
By the 25 games, I meant that there were 25 titles with new content over the last week. Thats not 25 new games or whatever. And all the content for those is acessible to Silver as well as Gold members.
Silver membership download content is not very useful if those games have online features. Ł40 please.
If I was counting games you can buy, well, i believe the XBLA and Xbox Originals service number well over a hundred games now- probably closer to 150 or even 200, though I don;t know for sure. Yes, you do have to pay extra for those, of course. But again, those are available to non-paying members of Xbox Live as well...
When Sony starts shifting PS1 and PS2 titles through PSN, it will be able to surpass that figure relatively quickly.
I was just citing a recent example I havent, truth be told, played many games online via the PS3. Largely because I find it such a hassle.
So? The v2.40 SDK is 'already there'.
Which is great. Shame it wasn't there from the start, so all games could have supported it, but at least its there now.
360 marketplace gets trailers before the 'net? Maybe the same time, but before? I very much doubt that!
Gears of War 2 gameplay reveal debuted on 360 Marketplace to cite one example. There may be others, but thats the one I know for certain.
Silver membership download content is not very useful if those games have online features. Ł40 please.
You don't *have* to use the online features. If you do, sure, thats your subscription. But at least the games give you the option. But you certainly don't *need* to play them online to get the most out of them.
When Sony starts shifting PS1 and PS2 titles through PSN, it will be able to surpass that figure relatively quickly.
Key word: When. I'm still waiting, and this was promised before launch. Since then theres been.. what... maybe 10 PS1 ports? And those are just be ports of the old games, much like the Wii arcade stuff. At least the XBLA ports of games have enhancements and aren't just ports. Although, granted, the Xbox Originals are.
But moreover, many of the XBLA games are original titles that you just can't get anywhere else- much like the WiiWare titles and a few of the PSN titles like FlOw and Pain.
Regardless, having more games can't be a bad thing.
As I said before, I'm not against the PSN at all. I just want it to come to a much higher standard, and I'd be quite happy to pay for that if need be- but not through a back-handed 'exclusive content' show like Qore seems to be.
Key word: When. I'm still waiting, and this was promised before launch. Since then theres been.. what... maybe 10 PS1 ports? And those are just be ports of the old games, much like the Wii arcade stuff. At least the XBLA ports of games have enhancements and aren't just ports. Although, granted, the Xbox Originals are.
When? Not long after the 40GB PS3 gets PS2 backward compatibility support via software emulation.
When? Not long after the 40GB PS3 gets PS2 backward compatibility support via software emulation.
When are they going to put the PS2 emulator back in there? I presume that since it's been finished and ready for at least 14 months, they're just waiting for certain level of software availability/sales to come up before giving people the option of playing PS2 games on their PS3 again...
When? Not long after the 40GB PS3 gets PS2 backward compatibility support via software emulation.
When are they going to put the PS2 emulator back in there? I presume that since it's been finished and ready for at least 14 months, they're just waiting for certain level of software availability/sales to come up before giving people the option of playing PS2 games on their PS3 again...
PS2 emulation in software is coming with the v2.40 update.
Custom soundtracks will be compatible with some PS1 and PS2 games.
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Your luck is in.
Ideally, you'd get the ability to record a session's voice-chat on your hard-drive, for uploading-and-reporting purposes, but that's another topic entirely.
I havent, truth be told, played many games online via the PS3. Largely because I find it such a hassle.
