Inside PLAYSTATION Network

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It has been a while since I last wrote on the blog. I’ve been looking to take the opportunity to talk about PLAYSTATION Network and thought today’s availability of the redesigned PLAYSTATION Store would be the perfect entry point to outline what we have planned for the broader PLAYSTATION Network this year.

First off, we’re excited about the new look and feel of the PLAYSTATION Store. Personally, I’ve been looking forward to this update for a long time as, in my view, the previous PLAYSTATION Store experience wasn’t one that lived up to our brand. But this new UI is much more dynamic and allows us to elegantly display and merchandise a lot more content, which is very important today, but will be critical going forward with so much great new content coming onto the Store. We look forward to hearing your input and reaction now that you’ve gotten your hands on it.

2008 is being called “the year of PlayStation 3” by a lot of press and analysts these days, and for good reason — there’s lots of momentum behind PS3 and we have a ton of great new exclusive games coming. This week’s launch of GT5 Prologue is one great example, and gamers are already in countdown mode for Metal Gear Solid 4, Little Big Planet, SOCOM, Resistance 2, and on and on. But another big reason 2008 will be a great year for PS3 fans is due to the big things we have in store this year for the PLAYSTATION Network. The PLAYSTATION Store redesign is the first step but it’s only one example. Our primary goal with PLAYSTATION Network is to form an evolving entertainment network where the PlayStation community can gather and discover new forms of entertainment. Some of the key pillars that will make this an experience a success are:

  • The PlayStation community;
  • Free online gaming;
  • Digital media download services; and
  • Original content

Of course, entertainment comes in the form of content, so I’ll dive in and discuss what we are bringing to PLAYSTATION Network that will help us achieve this goal.

One of the most critical elements to PLAYSTATION Network that we’ve focused on since day one is delivering quality games. We’ve always stressed quality over quantity (in other words, fewer arcade remakes and more original content) as well as games that show off PS3’s tech, and games like Everyday Shooter, Super Stardust HD and PixelJunk Monsters are proving that you can get a great experience for $10, or roughly the cost of a movie ticket. What’s equally exciting is what we have planned for you this year..of course one of those titles is available starting today- the world’s best-selling racing franchise, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. We also have coming this May the wildly imaginative puzzle-game echochrome, which frankly is a game I’ve been playing most lately. It’s as good as it looks in all the press you’ve been reading and is extremely addictive. We will also be bringing hugely popular franchises to PLAYSTATION Network for the first time, including SOCOM Confrontation and WipEout HD, as well as continue to deliver innovative indie games like flOwer, from the developers of flOw. So in short, content is what’s driving you, and we hear you loud and clear, and are delivering that quality that you want and deserve.

The strong lineup of games doesn’t stop there. Many of you have been hearing rumblings about a video service that will allow you to download full-length TV shows and movies via PLAYSTATION Network for North America. While I don’t have any new announcements here for the PlayStation Nation, it’s already been confirmed that we’ll be offering a video service for PS3 in a way that separates the service from others you’ve seen or used. Ultimately the goal of the PLAYSTATION Network service will be to break through the overwhelming clutter of digital media to give you the TV, movies and gaming content you want. More on this very soon …

Community-related services available via PlayStation Network have also been a big focus for enhancements here in 2008. We know you want in-game access to XMB features and we’re committed to bringing that, among other community-related services this year. They will be designed to allow more community development and collaborative gameplay, as well as recognize and reward you for your gameplay accomplishments across a broad portfolio of PS3 games. Of course, 2008 will also see the launch of PlayStation Home, and we’ll have more announcements on the expanding community functions within PLAYSTATION Network in the near future, so stay tuned.

Lastly, we feel your overall experience on PLAYSTATION Network should be rewarding. We hope the redesigned PLAYSTATION Store is a step in the right direction and delivers on your feedback, which is vital to some of the short and long term changes you’ll be seeing with PLAYSTATION Network. We understood from your comments on this very blog that you wanted the PLAYSTATION Store to have a more dynamic look and improved navigation. We want the PlayStation community to enjoy their experiences on PLAYSTATION Network and the online storefront is a key part of that experience.

And to wrap up with one of the many topics I know you ask about regularly, we are rolling out the PlayStation Cards to retailers nationwide as we speak. They will have the PlayStation Cards in denominations of $20 and $50 starting this spring. This will provide you with another option to get on board with the PLAYSTATION Store and enjoy the content that I’ve outlined above.

As you can tell, we’re extremely excited for what’s planned for PLAYSTATION Network. We believe the library of original and quality games and entertainment, combined with community services and continued enhancements to the overall experience, will deliver on our promise of an integrated content and community experiences. We look forward to sharing more updates with you in the near future.

Thanks and have fun!

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415 Comments

2 Author Replies

  • I am loving the new store, but I think I am not alone when saying they need to fix the icons. It store looks so much more next gen. All SONY has to do now is fix the icons so it doesn’t keep loading, and resetting every time I go back in the store!! Otherwise love the store, and looking forward to everything Peter Dille mentioned.

  • Stop with these useless updates sure new store is nice but we could get this after we get in game xmb. We dont need all this useless crap like dts hd sound. We want stuff that enhances our gaming not a dvd player. Im about to sell this system. 360 does it all right ever since launch sure it dies alot but dam atleast the online is fun and the games always run smoother. I know people will hate me for this post but all ps3 owners know 360 has better games and online ps3 is justa dvd player. In game xmb in the next update or im selling this system. home promished over a year ago and its still in a weak beta stage that never really gets better. WOW

  • Good things come to those who wait patiently. those that always complain will find it hard to be satisfied.

  • Nice update since it now feels more technology of this century!

    Only improvement that could be made for this version is to cache all the icons! Right now, even when just jumping back to forth everything has to be reloaded from the server. Which is slow and, as before, annoying!

  • Love the new store. Thumb nails take a bit to long to load up, so I hope this is sorted out eventually. With that said, this new store makes me really excited to see whats next.

  • Just checked the new store out. It’s nice. Good Job.. I like it alot..

    I did have another question about the network.

    Will there be any changes the what’s visible when you look at a friends profile… It doesn’t really show anything at this time.. I wouldn’t mind being able to see what games my friends have played.

    Anyway..

    Nice update.. see a couple add-ons were added has been..

    Thanks!!

    PSN – ThEosSiE

  • I had a long comment written out but it depressed me.

    Thank you for the ‘store revamp.’ I look forward to more improvements in the future.

  • I believe that consumer unrest is warranted in this “waiting game” we play with Sony. We faithfully hit up our favorite blog or web site for just a morsel of information concerning any, and all, future projects.

    What must be understood is this: Sony will bring the goods only when they know they have a product that is ready to be presented, and I’d rather have a finished product than a rushed one under the guise of “making the fans happy, right now”.

    Quality has been a corporate slogan for Sony about well before PlayStation; that level of quality and attention to detail take time and effort to achieve. Personally, I hope that never changes.

    Keep doing what you’re doing, Sony. As long as you deliver I’ll wait as long as necessary.

  • @194..
    Sorry,I own all the consoles..write about all the consoles.Maybe,you should try using something other than the “If you don’t hurry up or get this done fast,I’m selling my PS3 and getting a Xbox 360.”
    It doesn’t work..You come off as a troll with your comments anyway.

    Anyways,back to important things.Glad that you are giving a update on Home,XMB and accomplishments.I hope you’ll clear up the gamer point total questions that some people are wondering about.

  • I cannot BELIEVE some of you are still complaining. The good folks working on the PS3 are putting a great deal of time and effort into making us as happy with the system as we can be, something they really don’t even have to do. I think they deserve a little more credit. Let’s be happy with what we’re getting, which is quite a lot already. (MGS4, GT5, Home, Resistance 2)

  • Nice to see that we have another blog post telling us to wait for x, y, z, because it’s the year of the playstation.

    How much longer do we have to wait for games? Home? In game XMB? RPGs? PS1 dls?

    Honestly, when the main game of the month is a DEMO, it’s obvious that things just aren’t right.

  • @ SLICKT8000

    I understand your anger. I doubt you are considering to honestly sell your PS3 though. When Sony releases in-game xmb and HOME then the only thing the 360 will have on the PS3 is Gears of War. It would be extremely dumb to bail out of the PS3 camp now.

    With that said, when I did not see HOME after my console updated after all that “surprise” talk… I wanted to beat my PS3 to death with my XBOX. I just want to freaking replay all my games and earn trophies!!!

    But I have calmed down since then. PS3 is the way to go.

  • some people’s entire existence is to be unhappy and complain. i swear some people complain about free food. it’s who they are. depressing…negative whining complaining walking downers.

    Sony…the new store looks INCREDIBLE compaired to where it was. thank you for not rushing a half @$$ product out there. continue to listen to input and criticism and ignore those whining for the sake of coming off as the “i tell it like it is” in their own mind types.

    can’t wait for MGS4, MS2, Resistance, Little Big Planet, Home etc etc. this should be an incredible year to own a PS3. i know many of you are gamers as well (Sony staff) so keep it up. it’s getting better by the week and those of us with common sense see the effort and potential for what is to come.

  • Separte ID for MGS4? Wow, I hope playstation network fixes this problem I might just have to take back my reservation. We online gameplayers dont need any extra ID tags, does anybody feel my pain? It’ very upseting so please very very please PSN FIX IT!!!! P.S. very good job with the store and pre-paid card, because I sure wasn’t going to use MY credit card. PS3>XBox

  • You said back in december you’ll be rolling out the psn cards in january. Now they’ll be here soon again? I’ll believe it when i see it.

  • Peter you really cut all the PR talking, you talk very open…it feels like im getting a message from another guy just like me! instead of the Marketing Senior of a Mega Corporation.

    communication from a user to another user.

    props for that and keep the good work

  • I want home!

  • @204 Xenokai:
    “We dont need all this useless crap like dts hd sound”
    Try telling that to the countless people who have been asking specifically for that feature for the last several months.

    I think probably sony’s biggest mistake was announcing Home too soon. They should have kept developing it in secret, only to announce it a month or so before it was ready. Seriously, had none of us known that Home was in the works, no one would be whining on this blog right now for an interactive virtual community that looks strangely like SecondLife. I could seriously care less about Home or in-game access to XMB features. Whenever we get them will be fine with me. I just don’t understand how some of these people get off thinking that sony has somehow wronged them by not releasing these features immediately. If you are so impatient you can’t stand it, then go ahead and trade in your ps3, but shut the hell up.

  • Wow — I’m so stoked for all of this stuff – I really hope it’s coming sooner rather than later in time for this summer. Not to whine or anything though, but I seem to be having a problem with the new Playstation Store – it seems to take a while, and a lot of pictures don’t load and show a broken pic icon – I’m sure yall are working on it though. Can’t wait for all these cool features to get here! Sony has a huge catalog of music and movies and television – I hope it’s reflected on PSN. Thanks again – you guys rock

  • I hope we are in germany will see the PSN Cards soon ,too.The new Store looks great,good job!By the way ,it would be great,if sony would release a
    Playstation 3 Repair kit.Where the PS3 User firstly help themselves by things like mysterious Codes,If the PS3 don’t read any game bluray or dvd, and some other things that would happen.
    It would be great,
    So the next thing is I think everybody hate cable salat.Right?I ‘m for example an owner of a 40gb Ps3 and have only 2 USB Slots.It would be cool if sony could release something in PS3 Style(Hardware from other labels looks bad against the ps3) to have more usb slots available.And yeah Ps2 Support for 40GB Ps3’s.Possible is it,its just software..Because I and so many other user are totally pissed of to switch ever between Ps2 and PS3.
    Thank for reading!
    Letr us look foward to more beautiful Great Years with our black beautys!^^

    Many greets from Germany!

    dark-prince1988

  • sounds great! Can’t wait for the playstation cards

  • I’ve grown tired of hearing the words “very soon” from anyone in the Sony camp.

    Home and XMB the lost ark.

  • I must admit, I didn’t really care about how the store looked, but the new store just kicks major butt!

    Thanks, it just feels smoother and is a lot faster. No more loading for websites, I feel like I’m playing Uncharted. ;-)

  • It’s all good. Really happy I have my PS3. Now more than ever.

  • You know what Desidarious? Sell your PS3 and get a 360. Go ahead, do it and see where it gets you. When you have to bring that console to the post office to send it back because it has the RROD, don’t be sorry. You’re the one who made that mistake. Obviously you have little patience, and you know nothing about the PS3. M$ had a headstart and look where they are now.

    Anyway, Sony-excellent work. I’m very glad that I bought your system and I can’t wait for the things you’re working very hard on. Take as much time as you need but don’t take TOO long. Just make sure this stuff isn’t rushed.

  • You had me at “hello”or rather “It..”. My only complaint is that the development, testing, re-dev, recursive testing, and deployment is too slow. Need a project manager? Call me. We’ll Chat :)

  • #197-May I ask what the *HELL* are you doing here if you hate Sony so much? You’re complaining about everything under the sun instead of seeing that Sony IS coming through with this stuff. For [DELETED] sake man, they’re not bloody robots. They have a family to take care of, and they need rest. If they say this stuff is coming, then why are you so impatient and whiny?

    Good God, I swear, you’re one of those whiny brats who can’t even stop [DELETED] for ONE second and use your god-given brain for once.

  • I also think comment #36 said it the best.

  • wow PSN cards it sounds more like XBOX points that you can use; so Xbox’ish! All this waiting around for a new playstation store with what new content other than the granturismo vid wwwwoooooooowwwww!!!!!!!! Playstation still doesnt have the features that xbox does! for as much money that i spent on my system (ps3) I still dont think is giving my moneys worth. sony thinks just cause it has blu ray its better. Another useless update! hip hip hooooorrrrraaayyy!!!!!!!

  • This is a positive step in the right direction Sony. The store looks and functions well. It would be nice in the future to allow the user to customize the store to their preferences or genres. One thing I find difficult with Live is that there is so much content it can be hard to navigate. It would be nice for the store to recognize the games I play and provide front page updates to that game or the genre. Just a thought. Keep moving in the right direction and kudo’s to Sony

  • Thanks 4 update. Gonna hold u 2 2008 roll out of Home, Iunderstand it takes time 2 put out a quality product and u want to get things right. Maybe sony needs to start talking to us more, hope your post is the start of more interaction with us. We are all wanting more info, why do we have to go to utube and see leaked info? How about more home stuff released by sony? We are getting small bits and peices of info. pls give us more.

  • It’s great that you’ve finally come around to updating the store but what would be even better is if the PSN was a lot faster. Ever since its inception, the PSN has always felt a little bulky and slow.

  • another problem, seems there are still issues with online games, connecting and speed. Hope u are addressing this and beefing up severs. Its the #1 issue right now. Work 4 gamestop and these issues are always brought up by those interested in making decision on which platform to buy. And biggest ps3 owner complaint. Get these issues worked out and ps3 will be where it needs to be #1 platform.

  • sony don’t have time to respond because they’re working on the next update witch is only going to have more bull added on the playstation store hip hip hoooorraaayyyy!!!! by the way where the hell are the new cod maps??????? again xbox beat them again!!!!!!!

  • sweet!

  • PSN CARDS I CAN´T WAIT…..THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Sounds great! I especially can’t wait to see what you guys do with the video download service. I don’t have a DVR yet so this is a definite plus for me!! And again, great to hear about the in-game XMB coming. Unlike others, I’m willing to wait so you guys can perfect it :) Anyway sounds like a great plan Peter. As always keep it up!

  • well said sony..i love your ideas for the future. i cant wait for this

  • @clinton514: My connection on the PC gives me over 800KB/sec, I seriously doubt anything I’ve downloaded on the PS3 even approaches 200KB/sec. They need bandwidth, I know I’m not alone on this one. Either that or maybe the PS3 is poor at handling downloads…seems like even copying stuff from a USB 2.0 flash drive is slower than a computer.

  • give us CTR on the PS store

  • I’m glad to see the revamp of the playstation store, it flows a lot better than I had anticipated.

    I am still wondering if you all are considering releasing content outside of the typical Thursday updates. Regular updates are great for themes, wallpapers, and original/exclusive content but I know I’m not alone when I say I feel a little cheated that I have to wait for content such as Rock Band packs that are already available on the Xbox 360.

  • Maybe I’ve missed this, but has there ever been comment as to why Sony doesn’t match Microsoft day and date with content for games (Rock Band and COD 4 come to mind?)

    Is it truly that huge a deal to change the update day to Tuesday? If they could shut down the store updates for two weeks to change the way it looks, surely they could do the same to prepare for and implement a content day change?

    I know it seems like kind of a small thing, but being at least equal (and in most cases superior) to the 360 would help to make a lot of Sony converts in the coming months and year.

    If there really is a reason for this that I’ve missed and someone could point me in its direction, it would be most appreciated. Thanks!

  • man it’s hilarious anytime someone says anything that is not totally like “OMG the PS3 Roxors! I luv Sony!” that they are called trolls and people gang up on them and tell them to shut up.

    nice “community” vibe kids.

    LIGHTEN UP!

    PLAY SOME GAMES!

    THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!

  • @212
    We must complain. It seems to be the only way sometimes that Sony will listen to those who purchased the console.

    In August of 2008 360 should release their Jasper chipset which will have a 65 nm GPU.

    https://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/10/xbox_360_secrets_after_falcon_comes_jasper.html

    If this ends the red ring of death isssue on the 360 and if Sony hasn’t completed in-game xmb by then, sales could dramatically drop for the ps3. Maybe those who don’t complain will understand why they should complain when perhaps Kojima moves a beloved franchise multiplatform. So if you want more developers to go ps3 exclusive, you need to get more ps3’s in households. One great way to do that is to at least match the online features of their actual competitor, the 360, and to do it for free.

  • People working in the software indusrty can realize that something like the in game XMB is not a simple thing to implement. It takes time to get it right even with the smartest developers and testers.

    In game XMB might be useful, but i doubt it’s a dealbreaker for more than 0.001% of the user base and has pretty much 0 impact on sales. PSN Store being crappy has huge impact on sales. It’s easy to understand why PSN store gets the top priority over some niche feature.

    Only when I play online those XMB features matter, but luckily there’s PS Eye and/or VoIP which are supported by all the games I care about so i don’t need any instant messaging through XMB. I can just chat with my friends live during play.

  • Very nice post. I cant wait for all the games and the ingame XMB. And HOME wowww.

  • The Release of Home? More smoke up our a**.

  • I love the new store, and I’m really looking forward to the release of Home and in game XMB. I don’t know if anyone else has had the same problem but after updating the firmware, my PS3 wasn’t behaving the way it usually does.
    It was having trouble connecting to the internet and the PSN, so I tested the connection and UPnP, which has always been available is now not! I checked my router and there was nothing wrong with it. I’m really frustrated now, it makes me really angry when I can’t find anything wrong as now how am I supposed to correct it?

  • I’m sorry Mr. Peter Dille but as usual from Sony nothing new has been said here. Why are Sony obsessed with saying “More on this very soon …”. It’s so boring, stop wasting peoples time announcing non-announcements and just concentrate on delivering the features. Sony are still years behind Xbox live, why not just admit that 360 got it right on release, Sony did not, look at what they done, copy them for now, deliver the features then improve on them. One thing is for sure, even if you don’t agree with me is, 360 are doing it, Sony just keep talking about…

  • you guys should be patiently.

    it tooks a long time, but the first step was made
    the new shop is great. the psn-cards comes in “spring” (maybe in summer =)
    and xmb will come 2008 (or 2009)

    lol
    i hope they can fix the releases

    and sony. dont forget us in europe.
    we want the same things. we want to download movies, games, and the same demos. if you could fix that, we dont have to go into the other shops like american-psn-shop, because we can download there other things. and a lot more stuff!
    and you couldn`t even give us over18 demos or videos in germany. thats ridiculous!
    we can download here demos like harry potter or super rub a dub, great isnt it? -_-‘

    lol
    maybe im to old for playing ps3 (with 20)

    well
    we have to wait
    wait
    wait
    wait
    im going to read something more interesting than that here…

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