The latest PlayStation Network numbers have been revealed by SCEA CEO Jack Tretton. The PlayStation Network experienced huge growth last year, marking its best revenue month in December. “A 155% increase in sales from the previous year,” according to Tretton. The service now has over 40 million registered users. In early January 2009, the number of registered users was only 17 million.
The Tester is an original competitive reality series for PlayStation fans, it is a program for gamers, about gamers who are competing to win a job as a game tester on PlayStation’s first party development team – the team that has introduced history-making franchises such as God of War, Uncharted, LittleBigPlanet and Gran Turismo. The first episode will be available to download from the PlayStation Store on February 18th 2010, for free.
If Square Enix was looking for a reason to remake the PSOne Classic Final Fantasy VII for the PS3, they’ve now got one. Final Fantasy VII and VIII were the top 2 most downloaded games on the North American PlayStation Store this week. FFVIII has taken the number one spot for the first time since it was released, followed by FFVII in second place.
A few weeks ago, a Sony filed a trademark for a new service dubbed Qriocity. We now know that Qriocity is Sony’s first attempt at bringing PlayStation Network ID services to other Sony products including network enabled Bravia HDTVs, VAIO PCs, and Sony’s upcoming line of Blu-Ray players. Sony announced at this years CES that it would be bringing the PSN ID service to other Sony devices.
A survey sent to Kotaku from IPSOS Online Research gives an indication into the type of packages that Sony might be offering via paid subscriptions to the PlayStation Network. The survey gives an indication of cost and features that will be available for each option, including: 1 one hour trial of full titles, cross-game voice chat and free access to PSOne classics, PSP Minis and PS3/PSP themes, and member only in-game content.
Yesterday, many websites reported that Sony reduced the number of consoles you can use your PSN-purchased games on from five to three. This was incorrectly reported, and was only a typo on Sony’s part. Content you purchase from the Store can be used on up to five PS3 consoles or PSPs (depends on compatibility). Some titles do still have restrictions, but these are clearly stated on the product information page.
Last week, we reported that Sony will be starting subscription access to the PlayStation Network but core services will remain free. Kaz Hirai has confirmed that premium access will be added on top of the current services for the PS3 and PSP. Sony is planning a two-tiered subscription model for the PlayStation Network similar to – but also fundamentally different from – Xbox Live. Kaz has confirmed that online gameplay will remain free as will access to all the services the PlayStation Network currently provides.
Sony Computer Entertainment chairman Kaz Hirai has revealed the firm has pencllled in an early 2010 launch date for its new iTunes-rivalling online service. In addition, Sony also plans to release a non-game development kit for the PlayStation Network in Q2, to encourage content providers to develop for the platform.
Sony are looking to increase their profits in 2010, and part of their strategy is to introduce a subscription service to the PlayStation Network. SCE head Kaz Hirai was quick to note that current PlayStation Network services will remain free. Hirai explains, “we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services.”
LONDON – 19th November 2009: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) further expanded its PlayStation® entertainment experience today with the launch of the PlayStation®Network video delivery service for Europe. Now available in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, with other countries to follow in 2010, the service allows film fans to download hundreds of movies, including the latest releases, straight to their PlayStation®3 (PS3™) and PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable).
