Sony reveals Qore - an interactive gaming program for the PSN
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jun 3rd 2008 at 6:45AM }
Speaking in a new PlayStation Blog post Susan Panico, Senior Director of the PlayStation Network, has announced a new interactive digital magazine TV show called Qore. This will feature "exclusive news, developer interviews, in-depth game previews and behind-the-scenes looks at PlayStation games and special access to game demos, special beta invitations, game add-ons and other downloadable game-related content." All content is shot in HD and a new episode will be made available every month.
The first issue of Qore, which will be released this Thursday, comes packed with exclusive content for games such as SOCOM Confrontation (including an invitation to the beta), Secret Agent Clank and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Qore is available on the PlayStation Store for a one-off payment of $2.99 per issue, or for a yearly subscription fee of $24.99 for 13 issues. Check out the video above to see Qore in action. If you want more info, be sure to check out the PlayStation Blog post. We're looking forward to checking it out this Thursday.
There's no word on whether this will be released outside of America, but we have contacted Sony Europe to get an answer either way. [UPDATE] Our SCEE rep has sadly informed us that "Qore is an SCEA only initiative at this time". How disappointing.
The first issue of Qore, which will be released this Thursday, comes packed with exclusive content for games such as SOCOM Confrontation (including an invitation to the beta), Secret Agent Clank and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Qore is available on the PlayStation Store for a one-off payment of $2.99 per issue, or for a yearly subscription fee of $24.99 for 13 issues. Check out the video above to see Qore in action. If you want more info, be sure to check out the PlayStation Blog post. We're looking forward to checking it out this Thursday.
There's no word on whether this will be released outside of America, but we have contacted Sony Europe to get an answer either way. [UPDATE] Our SCEE rep has sadly informed us that "Qore is an SCEA only initiative at this time". How disappointing.
acted Sony Europe to get an answer either way. [UPDATE] Our SCEE rep has sadly informed us that "Qore is an SCEA only initiative at this time". How disappointing. 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matthew M @ Jun 3rd 2008 6:52AM
At least theyre trying something different. Right?
Logion @ Jun 3rd 2008 6:55AM
Thats freaking awesome!
Geimkisi @ Jun 3rd 2008 6:57AM
cool.. I love Veronica Belmont. Hope she hosts some of the videos
Nathanical @ Jun 3rd 2008 6:57AM
i think its a great idea, although i think the first installment should be free in order to give people an idea about what they will be paying for.
Geimkisi @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:03AM
She is the host of the show so yes she will be there. duhhh
Nathanical @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:04AM
also, $2.99... not too bad if what you get is decent, but what im afraid of, being in the UK, when it comes over the pond, how much that price will be inflated. If its more expensive over here just like everything else, im not sure it would be worth it... Roll on the first issue..
DaveC @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:07AM
*Makes obligitory Inside Xbox copy comment*
reson8er @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:42AM
Yeah because xbox was the first and only digital content distribution service ever.
/sarcasm off.
DaveC @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:45AM
No because Xbox was the first console to do a service like this.
I'm just making a point, I honestly don't care, it's a good idea on Sony's part.
Lars @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:11PM
Based on what I've heard, Qore seems a bit different.
Inside Xbox is more like the PSN news feed or Nintendo Channel, which is just a fancy advertising delivery service to help you get pumped about upcoming games. That type of thing has been on the PS3 for a while now... remember that News Feed thing we all disabled? (OK, maybe not all, but I sure as heck did.)
Marky264 @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:21AM
Okay so it's US only i live in the UK and i have a US account can i get this Qore thing?
Brian Spence @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:43AM
ooo hhoo, "I'm miss Veronica Belmont, snob extraordinaire..."
Actually, she seems kinda cool. It's just the name that makes me think she's some sort of snob. Or vampire hunter.
Brian Spence @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:43AM
Man, I just RTFA, and I see that we have to pay for this??!?!? FOR AN ADVERTISEMENT?!?!?!?!
reson8er @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:25AM
No you DON'T have to pay for it. Its a subscription based item. You can simply choose not to buy it.
Ry Tron @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:50AM
So it's been lost on everyone that this allows Sony to charge you to
join betas (i.e. lets see how and in how many ways we can make your
ps3 reset itself), download demos, and even charges you for the
privilege of having access to paid DLC? Count me out, I'll wait for
it to hit youtube. This would've been a great opportunity to promote
their content, but man, they sure took a running start at that
slippery slope.
But look at that "Calling Al Cars, Full Game - Available to Annual subscribers only". Now if there's a free network game coming out every month, THAT might be a reason to subscribe! I've been hemming and hawing over CAC for awhile now...
powerpac @ Jun 3rd 2008 8:30AM
Its optional hows that going to make it a slippery slope if u want it buy it if not dn't why is that such a big deal if it was on 360 u would still have to pay fir live and pay for this. all i know is that i'm getting this
|MaguS| @ Jun 3rd 2008 9:46AM
It's actually alot like buying a magazine from the store that had demos included. They use to include beta's aswell... this is no different except its not on paper, but rather an interactive program on your console.
Popfrogs @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:07PM
If you buy CAC don't expect to play it online. The lobby is permanently empty. It's fun with friends in your living room though.
The Aggie CEO @ Jun 3rd 2008 8:32AM
so if you pay this 2.99 are you GUARANTEED to get the beta tests???
if so that alone is for the subscription fee..........
if not.........they can have it.......lol
groovemachine @ Jun 3rd 2008 8:58AM
oh what the fuck! why not Europe? this looks so good
Kspraydad @ Jun 3rd 2008 9:05AM
Because this is an initiative of Future Publishing and SCEA. Lobby SCEE if you want an online magazine.
db cooper @ Jun 3rd 2008 9:46AM
Welcome to the 21st century, no longer do advertisements support content - advertisements are content. $2.99 to watch a stream of hyped up marketing bullshit? Thanks, I'll pass.
reson8er @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:25PM
To each his own, but this seems really cool to me. Like the above poster said, its like getting an interactive magazine, for 2.08 per issue (one year subscription).
I WILL NOT pass.
Dreadhead541 @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:32AM
is that really any different from buying a on paper magazine?
Kspraydad @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:40AM
So you don't currently purchase:
Newspapers
Magazines
Cable or Satellite TV Channels
Ride the bus or subway or taxi
Go grocery shopping
Go to the theatre
etc etc etc
reson8er @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:41AM
As the others have indicated, you are missing the point of this service. Think of it as buying a magazine and you will understand it better.
Kspraydad @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:51AM
Actually...based on your continued commentary about big business and government being fascists it is a wonder at all why you have an iPhone and a PS3 and hang out on blogs owned by Time Warner.
Popfrogs @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:12PM
@kspraydad: He also made a hilarious comment about how the Timeshift demo was so much better than Uncharted. I think he's just here for comic relief.
Lars @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:18PM
Kayspraydad has a good point though...
I do NOT pay for:
Newspapers
Magazines
Cable or Satellite TV Channels
Ride the bus or subway or taxi
Go to the theater
So, why should I pay for Qore? They've got to prove to me it's worth it first. I'd have to second the notion that the first episode should be free to give us a taste.
Reymo @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:40AM
A few dollars for something I use to pay more for at a store..count me in!
frankym @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:54AM
Interesting....I guess. Its like an HD magazine or website that you subscribe to for exclusive content.
2.99...seems fair. Will take some getting used to but I think this is a rather brilliant marketing strategy.
kevin @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:58AM
im buying it in want to get into the socom beta woo :D
PSN:FatalAssassin XBL:Fata7assassin @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:11PM
haha me too:D
go socom:D atleast its not like bad company beta where u prepay 5 bucks and all u get is beta key and no media
Hell-Reaver @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:20AM
So no one realizes that we now will have to pay for our demo's. They said themselves that it will have exclusive demo's that wont be avail to the regular PS Store.... i guess free doesn't mean free after all. welcome to the silver/gold version of psn.
reson8er @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:35AM
I understand your rationale, but I don't think this is their intent.
What they are trying to do is establish an interactive magazine and naturally it will have some exclusive content (why else would someone subscribe), but I think for the most part demos will be the same as always.
If you were to get the yearly subscription it goes down to $2.08 per month, not bad for HD content delivered to your machine in a professional manner.
Corvus_Corax @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:33AM
''Hell-Reaver said... So no one realizes that we now will have to pay for our demo's.''
Live is already charging gold users for demos, silver user get them later. some people need to stop complaining about having to pay for services, if you dont want it, just don't pay for it, ignore it it's not a big deal, instead go outside play with your dog or get a girlfriend
Hell-Reaver @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:36AM
Yes i know that Live gold pays for demos and silver gets them later. Thats the thing, up until a few months ago, silver and gold were the same, except for play online.
I enjoyed not having to pay for demos, or having to wait a week to get a new demo. That's what defined PSN from Live.
Hell-Reaver @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:41AM
@reson8er
I do see your point, but i also fear that it will become a need to have for all demos. I'm hoping that it's for very exclusive demos and not every demo.
Then i'd be willing to pay for it.
reson8er @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:06PM
Yeah they actually replied on the PS Blog, here is the reply:
"amurphy replied on June 3, 2008 at 9:32 am
@reenigne
If you purchase Qore, you will have access to exclusive content that would not be available otherwise - it does not impact the availability of the great content found on PSN, nor does it change our free play model."
Brad @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:02PM
This is all a joke, right? Wait, you are serious?
I seriously can't understand this. If Qore were free, it would be seen to be a competitive advantage over XBLive.
Instead, it will only become the butt of jokes.
Now a XBLive Gold subscription isn't seeming so expensive....
frankym @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:56PM
Absolutely agree with you....it is a way for Sony to nickel and dime us. Qore and Home will be platforms for Sony to charge microtranactions and make lots of money.
It does have an advantage over XBLA though. It allows us to choose whether or not to buy this stuff at a very modest price were XBLA is mandatory. I think this is an excellent strategy. When we see s/t that we are really interested in we will simply buy the issue. Otherwise we watch it on a site like Gametrailers. Simply brilliant marketing Sony!
basil ghazi @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:50PM
opm in uk has demos !!the same demos u can download from the psn !!!!!!!some time they avaible here in the states for 15.99$ in the book stores. i think 2.99$ way cheaper than that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!so we don't have a reason to cry !!if u don't like it just don't buyit !!!!!!!
Quiiick @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:24PM
I'm very glad this retarded pay-scheme for PSN-demos disguised as a "show" is NOT coming to europe !!!
Lord_von_Punx @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:03PM
i think its fair i mean.. when they give us play tv they can have
this Qore show
McKey1991 @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:38PM
So this is what they're using the name Qore for which they previously trademarked or patented. It's a good idea.
icedemon @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:56PM
This and Live are two different animals altogether. XBLA = Xbox Live Arcade. I don't see how this and Live have anything to do with each other. Also if Sony see that not enough people are subscribing they'll just put it on the PSN. Official Xbox Magazine sometimes get demo,gamerpics or some type of exclusive content that you can only get from buying the magazine or waiting for it to eventually come to the XBL and PSN. Like those RB tracks that was only available on the magazine then got put on XBL and the PSN. I'll take a guess and say most of the stuff will be timed. With the exception of the beta. Also I'm sure they are going to announce what's in each issue so you won't have to buy a whole year if you don't want.
ajiezer @ Jun 3rd 2008 6:41PM
So now do we have to pay for the demos and movie trailers or they will continue to be free even though we skip this magazine?
McKey1991 @ Jun 4th 2008 6:19AM
Why don't you guys read...
QORE is basically for the latest info on upcoming/released games and will allow you to get some exclusives such as demos and trailers. Your aren't paying for the demo, your paying for the interactive magazine. There will still be demos on the PSN for free. The SOCOM Beta demo is free...you can either preorder the game and have a shot at getting it or have a 100% chance when you download a episode of QORE.
McKey1991 @ Jun 4th 2008 6:21AM
Besides it's not like their going to jam pack each episode with 5 or more demos...just like 1 per episode and sometimes none at all. Don't expect more than 13 exclusive demos a year via QORE.
Vipralion @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:18PM
Yeah... 1 year of Xbox Live Gold@ $50
and... 1 year of Qore @ $25
so... the difference being? Though both are optional, Qore is a content-filled enhancement over being able to play online for free already where Gold is required for any sort of real online experience.
And ya know what? I think I'll subscribe to Qore if the first one is good enough. I like the idea of the interactive virtual magazine.
Of course it's all just to get us, as gamers, excited enough about upcoming titles to buy them but there wouldn't be fanboys if this was a stupid thing right?
Though, on the blog post, they mention the price as introductory. Me not like those words!