Store redesign coming to America; same content suspension as Europe
by Jem Alexander 
{ Mar 31st 2008 at 3:30PM }
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We have received confirmation that the redesigned US PSN Store will be arriving around the same time as its European counterpart. A new image has also been revealed showing how the US will differ from the EU store - the front page, at least. Apart from a few changes with the wording ("Featured Items" rather than "We Recommend") everything seems very similar. No content will be released on the US Store for the next two weeks.
The US press release also confirms that the Store will be software based, as opposed to the current web based version. A firmware update will be released when it launches which will "activate" the new Store. A software based storefront will mean a much faster, less aggravating PSN Store. Singstar owners will already have experienced this with the SingStore, which is much nicer to use. We're holding out until we see the redesign in action, but so far we're very optimistic about the new PSN Store redesign.
The US press release also confirms that the Store will be software based, as opposed to the current web based version. A firmware update will be released when it launches which will "activate" the new Store. A software based storefront will mean a much faster, less aggravating PSN Store. Singstar owners will already have experienced this with the SingStore, which is much nicer to use. We're holding out until we see the redesign in action, but so far we're very optimistic about the new PSN Store redesign.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Josh @ Mar 31st 2008 3:39PM
The fact that the store is not web based just made my day!
halebound00 @ Mar 31st 2008 3:41PM
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Ed @ Mar 31st 2008 4:11PM
Finally. It's great to see it's finally software based.
Haiddasalami @ Mar 31st 2008 7:53PM
Amen. Sony thanks for listening to us.
gman @ Mar 31st 2008 3:51PM
Never had a problem with speed on the PSN store. Just the overall crappy design. No need for software based system if it holds up the DLC.
ck @ Apr 1st 2008 5:41AM
So the fact that you never quite know which item the pointer is going to jump to doesn't bother you? You must be quite easy to please. The current store interface is appalling.
ck @ Apr 1st 2008 5:42AM
Hmm I need to work on my reading comprehension I think - I jumped on completely the wrong point . :)
Matt @ Mar 31st 2008 4:05PM
All I want to know is: why is there still no search function?
Dahk @ Mar 31st 2008 4:12PM
Without a keyboard, searching is a hassle anyway lol.
It was dumb with the current store design because you'd have to go through 3 slow loading menus to get to an item, but with this new streamlined store, I'm pretty sure searching without a keyboard might be slower.
Dahk @ Mar 31st 2008 4:13PM
Eh, comments are brokzoring for me.
Anyway, without a keyboard I think searching would be sorta useless. Previously with the old store design, it would've been useful because you'd have to navigate through like 3 or 4 menus to get to a specific item and go through another 2 to actually DOWNLOAD. But with the new streamlined design, I'm HOPING that you won't even need a search thing to find an item.
Matt @ Mar 31st 2008 5:51PM
That would be nice and all, but there's no guarantees. I'd still like a search because it can never HURT to include a search. I own a USB keyboard that I rarely hook up, so I agree it's not THAT useful, but there's no reason not to include something like that...
DMeisterJ @ Mar 31st 2008 3:51PM
Does that mean that we can expect the PLAYSTATION Store on PSP sometime soon, since it's not web based?
Hmm...
Nate @ Mar 31st 2008 3:54PM
Hallelujah! New design AND not web based. I can't wait. It's worth two weeks of no updates for me.
Bob @ Mar 31st 2008 7:24PM
i hope this wont delay or get in the way of Warhawks operation broken mirror
XanthouS @ Mar 31st 2008 4:10PM
This is very bittersweet. A new PS store is certainly a good thing, but it REALLY sucks we have to wait until the 17th to get "Still Alive" in Rock Band :(
doomd @ Mar 31st 2008 4:38PM
Anyone else notice that on the SCEA version there is no Psp downloads option
Michael @ Mar 31st 2008 4:44PM
What I want to know is if it will be possible to still have Rock Band updates since it has its own store now in-game. I doubt it, since you still go through the PSN store to actually purchase, but here's to hope!
Aaron @ Mar 31st 2008 5:19PM
Jem,
Why didn't you mention the Blog post at the Official U.S. Playstation Blog? They will also be posting a ideo walkthrough in a few days :)
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/03/31/new-playstation-store-interface-coming-in-mid-april/
John Benoit @ Mar 31st 2008 6:17PM
Am I the only one. More than a little put out by the fact that there doesn't appear to be a video store button? Movies & music downloads were what I was looking forward to the most.
kid @ Mar 31st 2008 6:39PM
well its worth the wait, but the old 1 is fine. oh yah any1 know if there is gonna be a GT5 prologue demo commin out for the us psn store?
phigginson @ Apr 1st 2008 5:03AM
Theres already been 2 GT5 demo/concept-demo released in the past... the concept one was like a year ago init... and the demo 6 months ago... so I wouldn't expect anything else of them for GT5
ClarkyCat @ Mar 31st 2008 6:39PM
Any shots on how it will look on an SDTV?
ChodalBerryWagon @ Apr 1st 2008 7:04AM
Hey, did anyone notice that it says a new update will 'activate' the store? Could it possibly be 2.4 with in-game XMB? I read on this site a while ago someone saying that in-game xmb was 'practically finished' or something.
Or did they say that 2.4 would be released in summer or something (or nuffin')?