Singstar players are unhappy with the state of community features
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jan 14th 2008 at 1:00PM }
Singstar has been given pretty good reviews so far (we'll have some in depth thoughts up for you within the next few days), because it has pushed what it did on the PS2 towards new, online, horizons. Unfortunately, the reality of these features, and what Sony promises, don't match up. The Singstar servers for the SingStore and My Singstar Online have been flaky, at best, with frequent time-outs and periods of downtime. Not only that, but Sony promised 350 songs on the SingStore at launch, whereas there are currently less than 100 (though closer to 50).
This wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't text within the game itself which clearly states that there are "hundreds of songs available to download", or if there was some sort of community news update which would let people know what's going on. As it is, people are left in the dark and are getting frustrated.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Solace @ Jan 14th 2008 1:09PM
well "duh!"
with Britney Spears as your artist in focus, how can you expect the game to be anything but a train wreck!
;)
mr judg @ Jan 14th 2008 1:42PM
hahaha fair point.
I have to say though. I bought this game on launch and its nothing but a dissapointment and does nothing for a great franchises reputation.
proArchy @ Jan 14th 2008 1:49PM
it looks like even though Singstar was released in the UK months before we'll see it in the US, its still infected with the same problems that the US version was delayed for. I still can't wait. I was thinking about importing it, but it sounds like its not really ready
nahworry @ Jan 14th 2008 6:36PM
As a hint to potential importers: This won't help you much, as your local SingStores are not open yet. I tried it with my American account, but to no avail. All is fine though if you do own a European CC with a valid EU address.
Will the game ever get released in Japan, b.t.w.? My wife needs to help herself to some JPop...
finelicker @ Jan 14th 2008 1:49PM
I bought this game for new year and christmas parties, it went down a storm, but more song selection was desperatly needed.
Haiddasalami @ Jan 14th 2008 9:13PM
What happened to that roboust online menu they showed in a video?
baby sea tuna @ Jan 14th 2008 1:54PM
Holy shit! Sony overpromised and underdelivered on something?! Unprecedented!
Lars @ Jan 14th 2008 2:21PM
That's the unfortunate norm with companies these days.
I knew MS was going to start a trend when they kept doing it over and over again for years. Just like companies releasing unfinished games and then patching them on launch day... another trend we have MS to thank for.
Jevanzz @ Jan 14th 2008 2:29PM
Quit trolling and go back to Joystiq, dipshit.
baby sea tuna @ Jan 15th 2008 9:42AM
Eat it, douche. I paid Sony my $500 entry fee, giving me free reign to bitch and moan to my heart's content.
anfizzle @ Jan 14th 2008 3:38PM
I hope this is good. If you like Hip Hop check out me and my friends online radio show we chat about videogames www.mysteez.blogspot.com
Zombie Huggles @ Jan 14th 2008 2:15PM
Sony has to step up on the notification business. They're so focused on making things a surprise...just tell us WTF is going on. I had some issues about warhawk, contacted sony, they said they couldn't release update information...well fuck you too! Is it that hard to say, "There are no such updates planned?" Is it so hard to say, "We are currently working on 8 songs to deliver at an undetermined date." Why does everything have to be a big secret? These are video games DAMNIT, not War strategies for Iraq!
elephant_stone @ Jan 14th 2008 2:25PM
Brilliant game. The servers can be annoying yes, and the lack of new songs is crap yes, but two of my videos are constantly in the top 5 so im happy :D haha
ClarkyCat @ Jan 14th 2008 2:36PM
In that case there should be a petition for Tekken Online!
setarcosp @ Jan 14th 2008 3:16PM
i'd sign that one i'm sick of getting those game invites after logging out!!!
Ghaleon @ Jan 14th 2008 3:26PM
Sony says, "FOOOLED YOU!"
rockmanjoey @ Jan 14th 2008 4:06PM
They should get LONDON Studio to re design the PLAYSTATION Store as the PS Store looks ass!
Dehshizknight @ Jan 14th 2008 4:09PM
Yeah, the SingStore looks pretty dang awesome.
enigma137 @ Jan 14th 2008 5:20PM
Lack store updates sucks . But.......
It also says on the PS3 Home page that the videos are in HD and the sound is 5.1 . RUBBISH ! SD & Stereo more like .
Usual Sony B.S . Remember the Warhawk release ? Not fully functional and no explanation . No News, no apology
Yet another ingenious strategy from the console gods
radioactiveseamonkey @ Jan 14th 2008 7:18PM
Maybe if you went to the Playstation forums and clicked Warhawk, then you would see that Dylan Jobe kept us updated with news and such.
Here, I'll help you out.
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board?board.id=warhawk
Carlos @ Jan 14th 2008 7:21PM
at least we are not paying for a service that don't work... like the M$ users! .....
on the other hand ... servers been like that even on an older game like CoD4 ....
enigma137 @ Jan 14th 2008 7:53PM
Wow thanks seamonkey .
The fact of the matter is that once again sony have not delivered the goods .
The general consumer does not trawl the message boards.
Whats wrong with putting the information on the boards in game, where everyone concerned can see it .
Maybe you could teach "your mate" Dylan about customer relations .
here i'll help you out
www,kissmyass,com/fanboy!
setarcosp @ Jan 15th 2008 5:40AM
you mean the in game board that told us to check the forum?
bnz @ Jan 15th 2008 3:19AM
Thanks for helping to make the problems public. The Singstar problems are highly annoying.
Markt @ Jan 15th 2008 8:06AM
Singstore has a rap section containing Blur, Paula Abdul and... no that's it!
Shockingly misrepresented or what!
elephant_stone @ Jan 15th 2008 8:13PM
Ok - who is the joker who reported my harmless, highly rated and loved videos?
My two best videos have been "censored" and removed by Sony...and I have no say at all in the matter !!!! WTF?!?!?!?! Hello?!?! Communication please!!!! At least tell me WHY!
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD DAARRRRN IT!
Mentality @ Jan 18th 2008 6:14AM
This game should have come with ALOT more games on disc, what we got was appauling to say the least, especially when you look at how much it costs, most games in the market that are not music based comes with more songs that what came with singstar.
Dirk @ Jan 17th 2008 10:08AM
Singstar on the PS3 was delayed several times to supposedly improve the online experience and one would think to add more songs to the online store. It really looks like they've been calling it in for the last few months or so with anemic updates and pretty crap UK-centric songs.
I would have already thrown $100+ at the store if there had been half decent songs on there, but I'm still sitting on a PS3 version that has less songs than my PS2 Singstar collection. On the bright side, I'm not going to be paying twice for some of the crap from the PS2 games that Sony is trying to feed me as new songs on the Singstore.
I'm not expecting miracles, but sometimes I really wish faceless corporations treating their customers with contempt would suck just that little bit less.
In fact, dear Sony, I have handed over to you and your game partners close to $2,000 in the last four months. I would like to give you more money in return for quality game content which you promised when I first learned of the PS3 SingStar. You own a large portion of the music industry, so please kick someone's arse to deliver more songs online. You haven't delivered one seventh of what was promised on launch in the first month of availability. Surely someone could be fired or sued for this sort of incompetence.
Love, Dirk
Mentality @ Jan 18th 2008 6:15AM
I meant songs on disc, not game :$