New Premium Theme Options on PlayStation Store

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Bioshock_themePS3_ProofofConcept

The last time I posted it was regarding our special E3 section on the PlayStation Store. This time around I wanted to tell you about a new offering that you’ll see tomorrow. In addition to all the free themes you’ve already been getting and will continue to get on the PlayStation Store now, you’ll have the option to upgrade and purchase premium themes to customize the look of your PS3’s XMB.

We have linked up with a few partners, Smobile & Disruptive Media Publishers, to distribute premium themes from PlayStation Network. They have content offerings that range in type from NCAA College licenses to beauties on the beach to original cartoons and anime. These themes were created specifically for the PS3 and have special backgrounds, XMB icons and, in some cases, sounds. Here is a sample of some of the new Themes:

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We have created a new “Premium Themes” section under Themes & Wallpapers for you to easily access this content. Also, for each theme, there is preview option that allows you to view images of the theme prior to making your decision.

We plan to offer approximately 6-10 new “Premium Themes” a month. So be sure to check back often to browse the newest in premium theme content.

High-Voltage-2

Have a good rest of the week and keep a look out for the new offering dropping tomorrow!

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327 Comments

7 Author Replies

  • they look cool, If I like it I buy them.

    if anyone doesn’t like this don’t like it, well make your own, there’s a tool for it…you don’t know how? well download the free ones?…you don’t like them…so why care about themes at all then?

    Like I wrote, if I like them I buy them, it’s not like you won’t be able to play if you don’t buy one of them per week or somthing

  • Wahhh??!?!?!

    Why would we want to pay for a theme when we can get them for free or make them ourselves :\

    That’s like asking us to pay to share LBP levels…you aren’t going to make us do that too D=

  • Not really interested. I wouldn’t download a car, neither buy a console theme – I still prefer using the default XMB with its unique wave, something the other themes could not create, and most of all its readability.

    If those themes are more than just fancy icons and a wallpaper, nah. If they bring something else to the XMB (a new kind of background wave or other animations for instance), why not as long as it’s well made?

    But ultimately, I do not want the PSN to look like a copycat of Microsoft’s Live. For instance, Qore added value, compared to the Silver and Gold account privileges on the Live (the latest one being compulsory to get demos “in advance”). Where’s the added value here?

  • atleast there will still be some free ones. ill check out some themes. hopefully not to much then i can just spend whatever i have left from other purchases

  • Tell me this a VERY late April Fools joke. Thanks, but no thanks. Why would I want to PAY for a theme when there are thousands out there for free? The sound effects are not enough to justify the cost. Sorry Sony, try again.

  • Not that I’m upset by this… but what’s the incentive to buy these when you can already download and create free ones?

  • Holy ****. Why don’t you try selling us something we want, like more Playstation Classics. You want us to buy advertisements for our XMB? LOL!

  • Paying for themes, huh?

    nah.

    allps3themes.com

  • thanx but no thanx , im not gonna pay for this :)

  • So…How long until Sony starts charging us to play games online?

  • This is BS. Seriously, go screw yourselves. One of my biggest gripes with XBL (besides the Gold subscription service) is it’s ridiculous pricing for gamer tags.
    This is a new low, you should be ashamed.

  • i’m sure we all have a few bucks laying around… As long as we are able to love our HD sets as much as we did for MGS4 cutscenes, i see this being a hot item, especially for people with PSN cards.

  • did everyone just happen to not read this: “In addition to all the free themes you’ve already been getting and will continue to get on the PlayStation Store”

  • Happy to pay premium themes as they are the result of time and effort. There’s something wrong with you if you believe anything you get for free will be of high quality… after all, you get what you pay for.

  • ARE YOU INSANE?!?!

    You’re making us pay for a bunch of JPEGS?!?

    You got me with the first 2 episodes of Qore Sony, but I won’t be downloading these unless they’re free.

  • This is a mistake. The Ps3’s big advantage is that stuff that should be free are compared to the competition. By introducing this concept, we are becoming just more like them.

  • Hmmm, if the theme’s are $0.99 that would seem fair but I bet they’ll be $1.99. Premium themes sound great and all but it just seems like you guys are trying to nickel and dime us.

  • Alright Sony, I realize the response to this post hasn’t been entirely one sided, but it’s pretty obvious most people aren’t happy about this.
    I’m with whoever said it, that this will mean less free themes. And from your description, these themes don’t sound any more premium than the free ones.
    This is actually a very small issue, but don’t start chipping away at what makes the Playstation better then the alternative.

  • No thanks.

  • Can you give us any information as to whether we will be able to purchase wallpapers or game trailers soon?

    Ahem! I will be taking a pass on the custom themes. If you guys are really intent on monetizing something like themes, or sell glorified game commericals (i.e. Quore), please just charge us an annual subscription a la Xbox Live and let’s be done with it.

  • I dont mind I guess too much since we can make our own but this is a bad move in my book.

  • This sounds really cool, now maybe we will see better quality themes, but I personally don’t care about themes enough to pay for them, I actually prefer to have backgrounds and themes off

  • I also would like to know what is the difference between the regular themes and premium. Any upgrades or just differnet content?

  • that sounds kool n all but i think i will pass on that one…

  • The only way this will work with the premium themes for me are:

    1. That the background move but not to much. An example in the bioshock one the water moves.

    2. Animated icons.

    3. Better ones that I could do in the first place.

    4. Not only game themes, I hate game themes.

  • “the incentive to download and buy these is going to be that more than likely the free themes will become less and few until they are rarely put out so people will buy them.”

    i hope THIS is not the case.

    but if it isn’t, then i don’t have any large objection to some themes being charged for.

    but if a theme is game related, i consider that advertising.. and i do NOT pay for advertising.

  • No thanks, I rather have the free themes than throw my money on a theme….

  • A real waste of money focus on Home instead

  • Sorry but I like money more. There’s a reason MS hasn’t gotten any of my money for anything other than games (although I did break and buy some NG2 pics). But I like money. I like it more than trivial digital content. While $2 is cheap $60 games aren’t. I’d like to see “premium” content added to games for the owners of those games. Might even give more consumers reason to buy new instead of used; never know. You want to do “premium” themes then great. But I just paid $63 for the game, why not toss me a “premium” theme or gamer picture code to get one/both for free? Do I look like a Cow? Don’t try to milk me…

    Speaking of which, how about some more quality gamer pics for our PSN IDs?????

    Honestly though, all bashing aside, unlike the 360s dashboard the PS3 actually has a screen/theme you can enjoy and see. Not just background pics. You get the wallpaper and A LOT of icons w/ these premium themes & while I still think it should be free $2 isn’t half bad. While I’m opposed to the idea I’m sure others will love it, and at the same time I’m sure something will grab me by the balls and get me to spend $2 for an awesome theme if you catch me in the right mood… Then again, I’m quite happy w/ my Disgaea 3 background and PSN icons…

  • Cool!

    I’ve run into a lot of themes where the font of the XMB items is just unreadable either because the font color is the same as the background or other problems. I hope these premium ones really take the practicality factor into consideration. I only use the Sony designed themes for this reason, especially the PSN one. Love that one.

    I’ll definitely be looking into it. :)

  • So, what is so “Premium” about these other than the pricing? What makes these better than the ones we’ve been getting (and making) for free? This seems like a bizarre and dumb move to grab a few extra dollars.

    Also, when the hell is Crash 2 coming to the PAL Store? (Yeah, I know it’s not your jurisdiction, but it’s not like SCEE listens to us)

  • deff not over priced, will be getting this, everyone on here seems cheap

  • Thanks for the option, I’m sure I’ll end up buying a few. This could enable some third-party themes that otherwise couldn’t have been on the PS3! I would make my own theme, but between college work and MY LITTLEBIGBETA THANK YOU JEFF :D, I really don’t have enough spare time to find the assets and make it myself. So thanks!

  • I can’t believe I am actually considering buying one or two of what I see (though I would much rather put my money on some games or add-ons). Does this mean we are getting those Qore exclusive themes in the Premium Themes section? (fingers crossed it’ll come to Euro sooner than later).

  • I can understand why Sony are doing this, after all the other console company does it. But looking at the images of some of these premium themes they offer nothing over existing themes to be worth paying for. Anyone could make them and probably will do. Also, why just America again? Why can’t Sony do anything across multiple territories? It’s not that hard!

  • i like the idea of premium themes which leads me to this can we request themes that we want made and have you create them for purchase

  • wouldnt you be safer geting them free here: http://www.allps3themes.com/

  • Heh, nice try Sony!

  • What the PSN is offering is choices. You can either make your own theme, download a free one or purchase one. Why is that such a problem? Would you rather have the PSN not give us choices?

    And, the prices shown are not unreasonable at all. Also, you do not have to purchase any of the themes? No one is forcing anyone to do anything.

    Sure, not everyone will take advantage of this service, but some will. I may if I find the right theme that fits my interests and personality.

    Lastly, why the low rating for this blog? This was an announcement for a new PSN service. It is not bad news for anyone. I think the announcement was an informative and a positive move on SCEA’s part. Certainly, any news about a new PSN service is good news and worthy of a higher rating?

  • It’s been echoed a lot in the thread … but, personally, I’m not interested in paying for themes. I appreciate the fact that all the themes to date have been free, and I think that adding a price tag to these only encourages companies like Capcom, Konami, Rockstar, EA and others to start charging us for game-related themes (which I’d venture to guess are the most popular themes overall) like they do for avatars and/or themes on XBLA. I understand where it makes sense from a business standpoint, it simply frustrates me that it has come to this, and so soon.

  • the only way this would be worth it is if you had animated background like the default XMB background, otherwise from the screenshots posted, a lot of free user created content looks better and includes sounds as well.

  • Why would you pay for these?. I wouldn’t download these themes, even if they were free!.

  • The only themes I would buy would be a Tennessee Vols or maybe a nice God of War theme would be could. Keep these things 99 cents please. No one wants to pay $1.99 for a theme.

  • Sony, this is a stupid idea. I bet anyone could recreate any theme you charge for. Don’t be like Microsoft and charge for themes. Thats just money grabbing Imo.

  • sorry but will never pay for a theme….just feels like you guys trying to make easy money from us…i will draw a line in paying for themes…now frigging way dude..lol

  • Im not very interested UNLESS, will there be any themes that have different motion backgrounds similar to the one the ps3 has now.

    what i mean is will there be any premium backrounds that move, or are like a trailer or somthing?

  • “THANKS FOR THE OFFER BUT I’LL HAVE TO PASS!”

    LMAO! I would never pay a dime for a theme. They are free all over the net. After reading this crazy post, I’ve decided to make free themes to distribute online to all.

  • I agree with most on this, this is not a good idea. I don’t think us Playstation owners/users should have to pay for ANY themes.

  • Wow. I’m pleased to see such an outspoken user community!! Now, let us see if Sony follows suit and makes a business decision based on what I’d call “overwhelming” negativity towards this venture. How something like this has even happened is really strange to me considering all the extensive market research that Sony usually does before making a decision like this!!

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