A Gamespot report reveals the first usage statistics for the PlayStation 3's online network, the astonishingly named PlayStation Network. According to Sony, over 1.3 million users have signed on to the free service, 600,000 of them being based in the United States. All together, users have downloaded 3.7 million pieces of content.

"Users have downloaded 3.7 million pieces of content!"

Thank you. It's not explicitly mentioned how many of said pieces are PSN games, but individual sales data for Blast Factor, fl0w and others may be released at a later stage. Comparing overall statistics to those of Xbox Live shows Microsoft's service in the lead with six million users (an unknown percentage of those paying for a Gold subscription), but it's to be expected given the PS3's comparatively recent launch. With some strong online titles and more free services, the PSN stands every chance of overcoming its growing pains and becoming more competitive. Of course, consumers would stand to benefit most if things stayed neck-and-neck. After all, Xbox Live's no good to us dead.

Sony got around to releasing that Blast Factor multiplayer pack ($2.99) for PlayStation 3 today. The update adds support for 4 players (co-op and 'grudge' modes) and an option to increase the game's speed by 50%.

Jet Moto ($5.99) joins the Blast Factor add-on in PlayStation Store as a lonely lowly PS1-to-PSP offering. The PS3-required PSP service has sure gotten off to a slow start; and Jet Moto (pictured) is hardly reason to believe that release pace and quality will improve. Having watched hacker efforts surge ahead of Sony (a month ago!), using Sony's own emulation technology -- releasing Eboots of most pertinent PS1 games, while offering tools for PSP owners to create their own -- one has to wonder, really wonder, what is Sony's strategy? Jet Moto?

[Via Press Release]

The idea behind the subject is that we're getting annoyed at the small-scale of updates for the PlayStation Store -- while welcome, we'd like to see something bigger and better. Like, say, demos of upcoming titles. Giving us ports of classic titles is okay, but getting a demo for Lair or Assassin's Creed would give our friends a reason to gather 'round the TV and screw around. So, what did we get?

Available now is the all-terrain racing title Jet Moto. It's a classic, indeed. Also available for your download pleasure is the multiplayer expansion pack for the fun-filled Blast Factor. The pack allows 4 players to join in cooperative or grudge match multiplayer modes. You can also speed the game up to 150%. The expansion costs three bucks while Jet Moto will set you back six. Enjoy!

We've got some new details regarding the recently-unveiled Blast Factor multiplayer pack, set for release at a still-unknown future date. The $2.99 add-on pack is set to include both co-op and grudge matches on the same screen. Inquiries into online multiplayer were left unanswered.

In addition to multiplayer, the new Blast Factor pack will feature time accleration modes, dubbed AT and 2xAT, which ups the difficulty and speed in exchange for added bonuses and new specimen. We're still not convinced the pack has the goods to bring this game above its modest mediocrity, but it's looking good so far.

Also coming soon is a trailer for the Gran Turismo HD Concept. We're hoping it shows footage of new tracks because otherwise, with the game free and replays freely available through the game, there's no point.

You know you're tired of looking at the same fugly outfit your character in Genji is clad in. You know you're sick of handing off the controller when you die in Blast Factor. So what're you going to do about it? Initiate some microtransactions, that's what! Coming soon to the PlayStation Store are:

• Genji: Days of the Blade costume pack
• Blast Factor co-op play download pack
• flOw game and demo

Granted, flOw might take a litter longer than the rest. Heard rumors of a January release, though, so maybe they'll all hit at once. In any case... gentlemen, start your engines! Ready, set, down...load? Damn. Wanted a clever download phrase/cliche, but alas. Next time, surely.

Comparisons between Blast Factor and Geometry Wars are unavoidable. In truth, Sony's downloadable games service launch title is more akin to PomPom's Mutant Storm Reloaded (Xbox Live Arcade) both in gameplay and price. We will say, of the three (Blast Factor, Geometry Wars, and Mutant Storm), Bizzare's $5 gem still trumps all in aesthetic and pace.

Where Blast Factor lacks style it makes up for with dynamic gameplay elements, including the most effective usage of Sixaxis's motion capabilities to date. While deceptively simple, the act of jerking the controller left or right to slosh around the liquid within each stage (corralling the enemies) typifies a clear advantage PS3 could have over Xbox 360 -- though the lack of rumble certainly damages the game's 'blast' factor. Other noteworthy devices include Blast Factor's auto-adjusting difficulty and enemy variation (players must discover how each class of baddie is defeated).

There are some quibbles that make Blast Factor's $9.99* price tag difficult to swallow. That each level (there are seven) contains an identical stage map, with each stage bordered by the same hexagon, is disappointing; that each level's boss is essentially identical is even more disappointing -- and puzzling, given that Bluepoint designed a decent range of non-boss foes. Still, we would have be willing to look past these faults if Blast Factor sustained that frantic whirlwind of action so elegantly composed in Geometry Wars. But it doesn't.

*Blast Factor is currently on sale for $7.99.

Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade has spoiled us. After a downloadable game trial ends we expect to be able to press a button, unlock the full version, and keep on blastin'. Sony has got it all wrong.

If the Blast Factor teaser manages to tempt your wallet, you'll have some work to do before the $7.99 launch title is yours. Don't be fooled by the "Buy Blast Factor" option in the demo's menu; that simply launches a message directing you back to the PlayStation Store, where, once there, you'll have to sit and wait for the game (93 MB) to download and install again. Oy!

PS3 delights vs. PS3 annoyances
Wii delights vs. Wii annoyances
Xbox 360 delights vs. Xbox 360 annoyances

It's a pretty long subject for an otherwise simple idea, isn't it? How wordy. Anyway, Sony Computer Entertainment finally announced pricing for some of their downloadable games, such as the super neat looking Blast Factor. And by some of their downloadable games, we mean Blast Factor. Let's just assume it's indicative of all other downloadable game prices. First off, there will be a free demo for you to download to make sure the game is up your alley. Second off, how else can we keep beating around the bush? Are you annoyed yet? $7.00. Approximately $7.00... which is what, 840 yen? Yes, it is.

As far as eating up your PS3 hard drive space, make sure you can stomach parting with 95 megabytes. If you have a 360, confirm for us this: that size is, on average, higher than XBox Live Arcade titles. Is this too pricey? Just right? Personally, anything under $10 is pretty easy to stomach, but that's very subjective and it's the voices of the masses that matter, not my own.