Comments on: PSN Update - what was the best bit this week?

By: Torpedo

Torpedo — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:06:22 +0000

I can’t believe that Wipeout HD didn’t made the top 5. This game is just awsome and it only costs €18. This game sure deserved more. Maybe the demo will help pump the sale up. Awsome game. Period.

By: SlapnutzUK

SlapnutzUK — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:13:55 +0000

@mobiletone

Mirrors Edge is £19.71 in TESCO

By: reakt

reakt — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:47:29 +0000

@mobiletone - I know how you feel! I got 3 new games bundled with my new 80GB PS3 (sold the launch unit). I’m not allowed to play any of them until after Christmas (incase anyone has bought me a copy of the same game)!

By: reakt

reakt — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:45:27 +0000

Voting doesn’t work for me but Crash Commando rules! Really glad I bought it as the online play is a lot of fun and has me hooked. It might have even cured my Warhawk addiction!

By: fanpages

fanpages — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:18:08 +0000

…to be fair the VAT rate in each European Country is potentially different to any other.

And we’re only presuming that the ‘Store pricing policy is linked to any given standard Currency Exchange Rates.

The prices for items in each Country may well be arbitrarily set at a roughly converted value (based upon some unspecified rate on a given date) then rounded to sound more attractive.

Hopefully with the introduction of the PlayStation Network Cards in Europe (next year?) the regional ‘Store prices may align with each other.

If you look at the Wikipedia entry for the PSN Card(s) you will see an approximate exchange rate quoted based on US dollars:

[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Network_Card ]

However, you will still be unable to purchase content from a ‘Store that is not that of your local region.

It has long been a suggestion that the entire network of ‘Stores are combined into a global entity that allows purchases across all territories and publishes content on a worldwide scale.

The video trailer, wallpapers, themes, and other media content on offer that is appropriate to any given region (due to either rating certifications or copyright control clearance) can be filtered by user selection by Country (and/or natural Language), and downloadable content that is not appropriate for game titles for a specific region can be removed from the Store listing if the console’s game data area does not have any record of that title being played previously on the console accessing the PlayStation Store.

Another idea, similar to the soon-to-be imposed mandatory Trophy support in every released title would be to insist that each title (also) has an integral link to a bespoke Store ‘front’ that offers in-game access to downloadable content for that title alone.

With the advent of more “Guitar Hero” (III/IV World Tour, etc), “Rock Band” (1 & 2), “Rock Revolution”, and similar titles with regularly updated downloadable tracks it makes presentational & organisational sense to offer this content in dedicated areas accessible from within those titles.

Imagine the presentation nightmare the PlayStation Store “New Releases” section would be if every SingStar track made available was listed here, for example.

Maybe the inflated Store prices at present are being directed to a fund to redevelop the whole concept in the next year.

I’d like to think so, anyway.

BFN,

fp.

By: Sneachta

Sneachta — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:43:31 +0000

So yet again everyone in Eurozone get completely ripped off by sony. The concept of exchange rate for products that you download must be too difficult to work out

By: mobiletone

mobiletone — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:33:40 +0000

Soldner X: Himmelsturmer is a great laugh playing co-op with a mate on the sofa. the ‘they die/you die’ angle is pretty sweet, and of cause, it’s never your fault you just both blew up

picked up Mirrors Edge from GameStation for £24 today, not aloud to play it until xmas though. boo hiss!!

*back to untangling the xmas lights and wrapping pressies*

By: The-Unknown

The-Unknown — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:22:59 +0000

The Sonic Unleashed demo was actually quite enjoyable. Besides a handful of trailers, the only other thing that I downloaded was the MGO demo. Of course I didn’t download a single thing from the PAL store, as per usual, as there was nothing interesting on it.

Dear Santa,
I’m not going to wish for something so selfish as a gift, or any material thing for myself this Christmas. Instead, I’m going to wish that the people in charge of the PAL psn come to their senses and start to upload content that people in the PAL region are actually interested in. I feel that you should seriously consider this wish, Santa, as it would make thousands of PS3 owners happy.

By: iagdad

iagdad — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:54:14 +0000

it all sucks

By: fanpages

fanpages — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:48:24 +0000

The second (or, rather, the first) part of the “LittleBIGPlanet” Santa Costume was the first item I downloaded from the UK Store.

Closely followed by the “Sonic Unleashed” Playable Demo, “Mirror’s Edge DLC Trailer” (video), & “Resident Evil: Degeneration Blu-ray Trailer” (video) [full movie out on 12 January 2009 in the UK] from the US.

As already mentioned, a lack of Playable Demos for the newly released European downloadable titles didn’t win me over either. When disposable income is on the decline, the consumer needs to make much better informed decisions especially when prices seem to be increasing at a disproportionate factor compared to VAT & currency exchange rates.

The US ‘Store also has “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Online Network Demo” for the festive season[ing].

See… Europe isn’t the only territory to have demos available months after the full releases.

# Good tidings we bring to you & your kin…

The regions are becoming more alike. Sony was right!

BFN,

fp.