There's an
interesting article over at BlogCritics -- they recently did a similar post on the Xbox Live service, so it's not like they're being one-sided. Basically, what are the five things the PSN has to address to remain relevant? We'll list their ideas below, but if you want to read more, check out their site. It's a pretty good read.
- More content -- both original and classic titles: basically, more PSN releases and definitely start beefing up the PS One collection in stores outside of Japan.
- Unified updates and stop delaying releases: The Japan PS Store, US PS Store, and EU PS Store all update at different times with different content. It's weird. Delaying releases (new Rock Band tracks released on a Tuesday, but aren't available on the PSN until Thursday) is also an irritation to be fixed.
- Release Home: this is pretty self-explanatory. Home needs to release -- with it will be trophies, accomplishments, in-game XMB (allegedly), and launching games via Home. Releasing it would be nice, but we have to wait a bit longer.
- Video and music should be here by now: Sony has its paws in tons of music and movie studios. Why is it taking so long to create and release video and music on the PS Store? It should come and soon, but who knows.
- In-Game XMB: You know everything they have to say about this feature, probably. It's been cried for since the console's launch. It'll happen eventually. But it should've happened long ago.
Of course, our explanations of the choices aren't the same as those used by BlogCritics -- they go much more in-depth with their reasoning. It's a cool read and their choices aren't bad or too demanding at all. What do you guys think? What would you add to the PlayStation Network, given the chance?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-15-2008 @ 7:34AM
deusmecha said...
lol @ Release Home.
I guarantee you that it's gonna be delayed again.
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5-15-2008 @ 7:37AM
Eggy said...
The only thing that interests me about Home is what developers will be doing with it. Don't need an apartment, don't need freaking trophies but I'm really looking forward to features like the game room of Warhawk where you can gather around a 3d map and plan strategies.
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5-15-2008 @ 7:50AM
jayj said...
6. Fix the European store's confusing non user friendly categories.
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5-15-2008 @ 8:11AM
Maverick Saturn said...
*Cries*
Its true....its so true!
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5-15-2008 @ 8:12AM
Christian said...
Seems like hyperbole. I mean with such a headline then things like two day delays for Rockband songs is a silly thing to mention.
Another thing to be considered is that maybe the reason there isn't more PSOne games on PSN is cause they are simply not selling that well?
And while I agree that in-game XMB would be nice, what the heck to it have to do with PSN?
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5-15-2008 @ 10:46AM
Jerses said...
did you know that you have to login to the PSN to send messages? well...you do so this is PSN fault. We need in game xmb to send a message while playing to those who just have logged in.
I totally agree with you on the PSONE games...nobody buys them because they just release games not worth it or totally worth it... but have played it like a hundred times. :P maybe its for the next gen player
5-15-2008 @ 6:09PM
Lars said...
"did you know that you have to login to the PSN to send messages?"
Umm, duh? How else would it know who is sending the message? That's like saying "you know you have to log into your email account before sending an email?"
5-15-2008 @ 8:13AM
Kammar said...
They need to have more sorting options, imo. There should be a way to easily search for content, or view all free content, stuff like that.
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5-15-2008 @ 8:37AM
marauder800 said...
Where's the list of 5 things blogcritics.org need to do to become relevant? These are the same things damn near every PS3 owner has been saying for a year and a half. Its not exactly a revelation.
In game XMB needs to be #1 IMO.
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5-15-2008 @ 1:39PM
never$$hort said...
It sucks that the gaming industry is dictated by a bunch of whiny-a$$, impatient, complaining kids. Sony has said they are working on these things a quazillion times, so they will be released in due time when they are FINISHED!! I don't understand why that concept is sooo hard to get thru your thick, impatient skulls. Doesn't anyone remember the previous generations of gaming pre-internet era, before we all had a voice? We all had to just be PATIENT and WAIT for future releases... Don't get me wrong, it's great and all now that we can voice our opinions over the net and that companies like Sony listen to us, BUT why drown all the positives out with constant b****ing and moaning?? Just voice what you would like to see done and then sit back, take a breather. There's no need for weekly/daily complaining on the same dam topic (Home?) and sometimes a simple THANK YOU SONY for all the progress and improvements they've made already (all you with launch PS3s know what I mean)!!!
5-15-2008 @ 2:21PM
Omen_20 said...
I thank them with my dollars. I complain about delayed promises.
5-15-2008 @ 8:44AM
Ty said...
Can someone please explain to me the big deal with in game xmb? It's one of those things that I never understood the the hype about. Ok while you are playing a game you can access your xmb, then what?
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5-15-2008 @ 9:05AM
Nate said...
What it really comes down to is being able to send and read messages from your friends, universal voice chat across games, invites to anyone regardless of what games (if any) the two of you are playing, and the ability to play whatever music you want while a game is playing.
That's what people mean when they say in-game XMB. It's very frustrating to be in a game, get a flash on the screen that says "your friend sent you a message" and then have to EXIT THE GAME to read the damn message. That's ridiculous.
It's just basically trying to get the in-game functionality up to the level of the XBox.
As someone else said, several of these things don't actually have anything to do with the playstation *network* per se, but people tend to lump all the features of the console into their respective network names (Live or PSN). It's shorthand....3
5-15-2008 @ 9:11AM
marauder800 said...
In addition to what Nate said, it also includes the ability to access your music and playlists while in game, change your online status, check on your downloads, etc.
5-15-2008 @ 9:00AM
aidan said...
The thing about synchronized releases across the world is, if you really want that, then you Americans and Japanese will have to wait while SCEE does all of the localization updates and testing across Europe, Middle East, and Australia.
So, fine. We can have global releases. It will just take three months longer to get anything out the door.
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5-15-2008 @ 1:42PM
psycho said...
Nonsense. 99% of the europeans read & write english.
In the Netherlands the preffered language for computing is english anyway.
Just release the english version, and drop the localozed ones when they're done.
5-15-2008 @ 6:41PM
Popfrogs said...
@psycho: I wonder how MS manages releases across territories. Do they make everyone on an entire continent wait?
I second your idea for English-version releases in Europe and elsewhere. However, one thing you're forgetting is that in general, Europe has a lot of wacky laws with what you can and can't show in games. Therefore, there is more to localization than just translating a few menus and some text options.
Of course, if you don't care about DLC and other features, you're still free to import.
5-16-2008 @ 2:28AM
Da said...
lolz at "99% of the europeans read & write english."
5-15-2008 @ 9:07AM
Greg said...
Amen borther !!! And what about custom in-game soundtrack ??
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5-15-2008 @ 9:12AM
Tonbo said...
LOL at in game XMB. It will never happen because the launch ps3s can't handle it, likely for the same reason they can't handle GTAIV without turning off the network. *weeps*
Most probably, not enough memory.
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