Five things PSN must address to remain relevant
by Nick Doerr 
{ May 15th 2008 at 7:30AM }
- 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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
deusmecha @ May 15th 2008 7:34AM
lol @ Release Home.
I guarantee you that it's gonna be delayed again.
Eggy @ May 15th 2008 7:37AM
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.
jayj @ May 15th 2008 7:50AM
6. Fix the European store's confusing non user friendly categories.
Maverick Saturn @ May 15th 2008 8:11AM
*Cries*
Its true....its so true!
Kammar @ May 15th 2008 8:13AM
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.
Christian @ May 15th 2008 8:12AM
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?
Jerses @ May 15th 2008 10:46AM
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
Lars @ May 15th 2008 6:09PM
"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?"
marauder800 @ May 15th 2008 8:37AM
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.
never$$hort @ May 15th 2008 1:39PM
It sucks that the gaming industry is dictated by a bunch of whiny-a$$, 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)!!!
Omen_20 @ May 15th 2008 2:21PM
I thank them with my dollars. I complain about delayed promises.
Ty @ May 15th 2008 8:44AM
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?
Nate @ May 15th 2008 9:05AM
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
marauder800 @ May 15th 2008 9:11AM
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.
aidan @ May 15th 2008 9:00AM
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.
psycho @ May 15th 2008 1:42PM
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.
Popfrogs @ May 15th 2008 6:41PM
@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.
Da @ May 16th 2008 2:28AM
lolz at "99% of the europeans read & write english."
Greg @ May 15th 2008 9:07AM
Amen borther !!! And what about custom in-game soundtrack ??
Tonbo @ May 15th 2008 9:12AM
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.
Greg @ May 15th 2008 9:33AM
This is rubbish ! My PS3, bought the first day, runs GTA IV without any problem, not even once...
Dan Davis @ May 15th 2008 9:59AM
Mine too... no problems at all.
Why the hate on early adopters? If it weren't for so many of us spending 600 BUCKS(!) on a launch console, the prices may never have dropped for you.
Volomon @ May 15th 2008 9:19AM
I never understand this one, 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.
There all run by different groups, not to mention Euro Store will always be slow it has to many languages.
Draco @ May 15th 2008 9:26AM
How is XMB a PSN problem.
ThePremierAssassin @ May 15th 2008 9:26AM
Like psn was ever relevant to begin with?
You guys get less demos than the 360. Your demos sometimes come later than the 360 demos. And your online sucks when compared to the 360 system.
Yeah PSN is so awesome just because its free. Keep dreaming...
Reuben @ May 15th 2008 11:03AM
Actually, the argument here is about what it needs to become, and stay, awesome. Come now, you came here just to bash Sony a little. Tsk tsk tsk.
Eggy @ May 15th 2008 11:51AM
Actually PSN is fine, it lets you play online with friends for free which is nothing more than normal. That some of you pay for a service that has a few extras but is at it's core (what's it all about) no better than PSN is just dumb. Claiming that it is so superior is just sad and makes you like like a pathetic little fanboy.
Efeez1986 @ May 15th 2008 1:06PM
Does anybody care about playing games anymore? I just want to play games online and PSN provides that, i don't give a damn about buying tv shows that i probably already have on DVD and wasting space on my hard drive downloading movies when i can just buy blu ray dvds. "But, but, but i want to play my music with my games", turn the music off on the game and turn your radio on for god's sake. "But, but, but i want to buy music videos off PSN", turn to MTV 2.com and watch them for free.
Puntachu @ May 15th 2008 9:26AM
@Tonbo:
Actually, I have a launch system, and GTA4. Everything for me has worked just fine. I've also had no problems with network connectivity, feature usage, or anything else. I've not once needed to turn things off, or delete my data to try and get a game going.
As far as memory is concerned, Im not aware of any more recent revisions having any more or less memory (obviously you can't put less memory in later revs, and more memory is pointless because you cant make a game that is dependent on it being there). The only difference I see is in the b/c hardware/software handling; and if you think about the software that would be called on the newer systems, that takes more memory on execution than a launch system would need for it's hardware.
I fully agree that we need the in-game XMB, but I don't think seperate sku's are really the cause behind the delays we've seen.
PAPERCHASER0396 @ May 15th 2008 10:50AM
I find it a lot of times especially due to fanboism(xbots) they will post problems they have with their fictional Ps3's and then say thats why they love their 360 more if you can read between the lines you tell can tell that they are just lieing to boost their own moral and just trying to lower the PS3 realiabilty
Riley Freeman @ May 15th 2008 9:51AM
this is accurate. they should streamline everything. ive never understood delays just because its a different country. its unfair to everyone.
in game xmb is very frustrating they said this summer thank god. but thats almost 2 years after launch. thats excessively long.
I understand the fact u want a solid product out for home so u dont ship crap like an xbox 360 with a famous red ring of death. but they need to either open up the beta to a extremely large amount of people. like a million users or to everyone. because the delays are hurting them. had they had home going gta would have probably received a lot more purchases and so would metal gear etc...
the fact they own studios and music labels and they havent used one or the other is embarassing in itself. ive never understood how major companies basically ignore their divisions. ur one company u should function like one entity. music is a little harder i would assume to release since a lot of people need to be paid for the songs. movies they can pretty much drm the crap out of that and nobody would complain. so at the very least movies should be on there. where is play? is that coming to north america (im in canada) bring out these things.
the ps1 classics i have to admit i dont pay attention but when i did look for them theres barely anything so they are really dragging their feet.
the ps3 is really the ultimate box but sony is taking too long to open it up the longer they take is the closer we draw to microsoft annoucing their new console because lets face it the 360 cant last in its current format.
russell @ May 15th 2008 10:09AM
I've already given up hope for any of those things to happen in 2008.
Brodie-san @ May 15th 2008 10:09AM
@ThePremierAssassin
Have you got a PS3? Cause your comments sound like the ramblings of a troll.
Vohaul79 @ May 15th 2008 3:08PM
I've seen the name around, and yes, he is : )
the stuff @ May 15th 2008 11:33AM
PSN really needs to start pumping out more games than once every few weeks. Its really rather lame. There are no excuses anymore they have had ample time to get there Sh*t together!
DaveC @ May 15th 2008 10:57AM
6: Release the DualShock 3 in Europe.
HanzoTheRazor @ May 15th 2008 11:54AM
I have been using the duel shock 3 here in Japan for quite some time now... played stuff all games that support it yet though! It does seem though that Sony is the only one of the 3 that is listening to us. I think they have been a bit shaken up by all the bad publicity of late and the strong competition.It's funny though, people are never happy with what they've got. In over 20 yrs of my gaming exp, I must say that we have never had it so good! :p
xGOLDEN_ONEx @ May 15th 2008 12:23PM
for one thing you xbox lover, just cause xbox gets the demo first didnt mean we on the ps3 havent already played it, unlike the 360 we can create an account for uk or japan and dl a demo months before so you should check your facts before openning that thing you call a mouth., and thats just the start. i wont bore the people on here with things that have already been debated and won by us the ps3 users..lol haha
the stuff @ May 15th 2008 12:34PM
Mommy couldnt afford you both systems huh?
Organic_Shadow @ May 15th 2008 12:32PM
In-game XMB isn't relevant to PSN. And no, don't try and force it to be apart of that list somehow by saying friends list etc. is in the XMB.
Come up with a new #5...
Vincent @ May 15th 2008 10:32PM
I have a new #5
Acknowledge international credit cards regardless of their origin. All South Africans and Latin American users are blocked off PSN for no reason. EU people can't purchase content from US and Japan PSNs and vice-versa. Why?! There's no "legal" reason! Live can do it and even Nintendo's service can do it. Until the PSN solves this, I won't have respect for it.
Glen @ May 15th 2008 1:36PM
1) Yes, I want my MGS on PSN!
2) Valid desire, but not too important to me. So long as each update happens every whenever day it's on, I'll be chill with it.
3) I don't see Home getting canceled, so this is one thing we know is coming...eventually.
4) Haven't we heard recent rumblings of Sony getting into music and movies? Regardless, I'm sure it'll come when Sony gets the gaming side of the PSN down, like with Home.
5) Yes! Pretty please, Sony?
All in all, a pretty good list. Let's hope Sony is listening and prioritizing!
Glen @ May 15th 2008 1:37PM
I should specify that I mean MGS1. Japan has it up on their PSN, but America and Europe don't have it.
Brett from Atlanta @ May 15th 2008 3:54PM
Guys, where is "in shirt XMB" on that list? I think that should be a top priority IMO. JK, in all seriousness though, these are some pretty legitimate points, but I have no doubt that Sony will deliver these and even exceed our expectations. Lets not forget, even though they are doing better now, Sony is still behind their competitors in some areas and far from being as dominate as they were in the PS2 days. They know they can't afford to not do this.
chuck @ May 15th 2008 7:46PM
what about playing games and still be downloading some think for rhe psn store the ps3 should be able to bo that
Lars @ May 15th 2008 8:21PM
Nick, #2 is just idiotic. I thought game journalists had some insight into how game development works, and more specifically, region restrictions.
There's all kinds of red tape to get games ready for other regions, not to mention language changes and such. You can't expect me to delay my game coming out in the US just so that I have time to convert the dialog and get it rated for all the other regions out there. That stuff costs money. You have a very limited budget to work with and it makes a heck of a lot more sense to release it in your own region first, then when funds start coming in, regionalize it for others.
Now, I will agree that the PSOne classics situation is seriously lacking. There's no reason not to release those, especially the first party games. Except that Sony probably is trying to cut as much costs as possible right now.
It's kind of a catch-22 situation. If the system was doing better, Sony would have funds to devote more attention to it, but it won't do better unless Sony devotes more attention to it.
dsd90 @ May 16th 2008 2:34AM
The PSN really needs to get the ability to be able to change your PSN ID without having to delete your entire user account. Even though they have to pay to do it on the 360, at least they can do it. By deleting your user account you lose all of your game saves, all of your in game achievements or rewards, your music and photo playlists, and your new user name will now have to apear on the bottem of the list. Besides all of that, you cant even use the same email address that was tied to your original account. Basically, this screws up your entire PS3 setup. I mean its a really small feature that fixes a huge problem. Please fix this SONY.
Lars @ May 16th 2008 2:23PM
Actually, you're making it seem much more difficult than it really is.
Step 1: change the email address on your old PSN account
Step 2: create a new login and PSN account (now you can use your old email)
Step 3: go to the game saves on your old login and select "copy" to your new account.
Now was that so hard?
2Perfect @ May 18th 2008 4:30AM
I'd definitely love some more PS1, and possibly earlier PS2 games that are no longer in store... like I'd love to be able to download the whole resident evil series starting from the PS1 game...
But with regards to the XMB, I don't think that has to do with the network right? Well I guess in-game chat that comes with XMB, but not in-game XMB itself. Because some people want the in-game XMB for playing music while playing a game, not just for chatting. But I personally want it for the in-game chat.
Home no longer sounds interesting after all these delays. Even though it should mean more content, meh. It's been delayed too long that the hype has died.
I don't think they would make music downloads and definitely not full movie downloads since they're pushing Blu-ray.