PlayStation Store
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| PlayStation Store | |
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|---|---|
| Developer | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Type | Online market |
| Launched | November 2006 (PS3), September 2007 (PC), October 2008 (PSP)[1] |
| Platform | PlayStation 3, PC, PlayStation Portable |
| Website | Official Website |
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games, add-on content, playable demos, themes and game and movie trailers. The service is accessible through an icon on the XMB on the PS3 and PSP. The PS3 store can also be accessed on the PSP via a Remote Play connection to the PS3. A PC application for the PSP is also available via Sony's Media Go. As of May 16, 2008, there have been over 170 million downloads from the PlayStation Store worldwide.[2]
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[edit] Access
[edit] PSN Master Account
A "master" PlayStation Network account is required to access the PlayStation Store. A log of all previously purchased items, known as "Download List", records each PlayStation Store account's full game, trial demo, and add-on download activity. A guest user can use his master account Download List to download free content or to purchase content on another console however, a single account can only be used on up to five consoles. The most recent firmware must be installed on the console in order to access the PlayStation Store.
[edit] Wallet
Each master account is associated with an online virtual "wallet" to which funds can be added. This wallet is then debited when a purchase is made from the Store. Money can be added to the wallet through different systems of payment, although some of these are not available in all countries.
[edit] Currency
Unlike Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace and Nintendo's Wii Shop Channel, which each use their own specific currencies (Microsoft Points and Nintendo Points, respectively), all purchases (with the exception of alternatives in some countries; see following sections) are made using the actual real-world currency of the users' home country (for example in the United States, purchases are made using USD).
[edit] Edy viewer
Edy is an e-money system which is only available in Japan. The viewer is accessible from an "extra option" setting in the XMB[3]. An additional USB IC card reader/writer called PaSoRi is required to add e-money to the wallet by operating with the Edy Center. Edy associated options are "Edy Gift", "Checking online balance" and "Reader/Writer Self-Diagnosis".
[edit] Credit and debit cards
The most common method to add money to the "wallet" is to use a credit card or debit card. This payment system is NOT available in all areas with PlayStation Store support. Visa and American Express gift cards can also be used to add funds to the wallet. Although select areas require that you use a credit card with a billing address from that specific country.
[edit] PlayStation Network Card/Ticket
PlayStation Network Cards and Tickets are a form of payment available in South East Asian countries including Japan and Singapore, available in other territories[4]. The PlayStation Network Card (PSN Card) is a form of electronic money that can be used with the PlayStation Stores for PS3 and PSP. This system is similar to Microsoft's Xbox Live Subscription Cards, Microsoft Point Cards, and Nintendo's Wii Points for their respective e-stores. PSN Tickets of various value can be purchased at convenience stores in North America and PSN Cards are for sale in PlayStation Shop Partners in the rest of South East Asia. Each card or ticket contains a unique 12 alphanumeric code which can be input to a PSN master account to fund the associated wallet.
The Japanese ticket system is a bit different from the card system used in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, or even the one used by Microsoft and Nintendo for their virtual shops. Unlike tickets, the cards are available for purchase at retail stores.[clarification needed]
PSN cards and tickets are region-specific. For example, if a PS3 is registered in the US, the cards can't be used in the Japanese PSN store. However, users have been able to work their way around this by creating "dummy" accounts. Sony Computer Entertainment is well aware of the practice, which was when the demo for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune became available on the North American Store and was only playable on consoles from that region. Following many emails from disgruntled customers in other territories, Sony and the game's developer, Naughty Dog released an updated version of the demo which could be played on any PS3 console stating that the initial restriction was not intentional and that they were, until that point, unaware of this practice.
[edit] PlayStation Store for PS3
The PlayStation Store was launched on the PlayStation 3 on November 11, 2006 and is accessible via an icon under the PlayStation Network category of the XMB. There are five different versions of the PlayStation Store: Asia, Europe, Japan, North America, and Oceania.
[edit] Content
Due to DRM restrictions, most items can only be downloaded and installed on up to five different consoles using a guest user account's Download List. Previously, the games Warhawk and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue could only be downloaded to one console, but since firmware 2.40, they are similar to other games, but require the account which downloaded the game, along with the password to be stored on the HDD.
Downloadable content includes:
Picture:
- Free or for sale HD/SD XMB themes and wallpapers.
Music:
- Free (WAV/MP3) audio tracks based on PS3 games original soundtrack. (North America and Europe only)
Video:
- For sale HD/SD movies and TV shows to rent or purchase (United States and Japan only).
- Free HD/SD trailers for upcoming theatrical releases and movie or musical Blu-ray Disc.
- Free HD/SD game videos (trailers, behind the scenes, interviews, commercials or promotional videos).
- Free HD/SD music videos from Sony Music affiliates artists (Australia and Hong Kong only).[5]
Game:
- Free PlayStation 3 game demos.
- Free or for sale PlayStation 3 (PlayStation Network) full games.
- Free or for sale PlayStation 3 games add-on and system patches.
- Free PlayStation 3 (PSN) public beta software.
- Free PlayStation Portable game demos.
- For sale PlayStation Portable games.
- Free PlayStation emulated game demos (Japan and Hong Kong only).
- For sale PlayStation emulated games.
- For sale Arcade emulated game demos (Australia only).
- For sale Arcade emulated games.
Miscellaneous:
- Free PlayStation 3 software.
- Qore subscriptions and downloads (North America only)
- PlayStation Official Magazine HD (UK and Ireland only)
[edit] Qore
On June 3, 2008 SCEA announced a new service, Qore, which launched on the PlayStation Store in North America on 5 June 2008. In a press release published on the Official PlayStation Blog, Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is described as "a highly interactive, monthly lifestyle gaming program covering the world inside PlayStation is on its way to PS3.". The program, hosted by Veronica Belmont and presented in high definition, gives users advanced access to exclusive news, in-game footage and behind-the-scenes previews of PlayStation games. Users are also given "special access" to game demos, add-on content and beta trial invitations[6].
[edit] Multitasking
As of March 22, 2007, background downloading became possible while watching a video stored on the HDD, listening to music, looking at photos, using the web browser and playing PS1, or offline PS3 games[7]. Officially 16 downloads can be queued up at a time. The status of the downloads can only be checked on the XMB under the "Network" category. If the messaging service is activated a pop-up message will appear in the top right corner of the screen to notify the user that a download is finished.
[edit] PSP Connectivity
Some crossplatform store content such as emulated PlayStation games and demos can be transferred from the PlayStation 3 HDD to the PlayStation Portable Memory Stick using a USB connection.
PlayStation Portable games and demos need a USB linked PSP in order to start the download from the store to the PlayStation Portable through the PlayStation 3 internet connection.
Download from the PlayStation Store to the PlayStation Portable can be performed later using the "Download List" log available in both the PS3 and PC PlayStation Stores.
Since April 15, 2008 the PlayStation Store can be accessed on PlayStation Portable handheld console through Remote Play function.
After the installation of firmware version 5.00 released on October 15, 2008, the PlayStation Store can be accessed directly from the PlayStation Portable without the need to use a PC or PS3 as an intermediary[8]. It will be accessible under the PlayStation Network category on the portable's XMB. However users who do not have any method for connecting wirelessly can still use the Playstation Store on the PC using a downloadable program from Sony called Media Manager for PSP 3.0. As long as you have a working Store account you can use the program to download the software from the Store using the PC whilst connected to the PSP via a USB Cable.
[edit] PlayStation Store revamp
Following feedback from a large number of PlayStation Network users, a redesigned version of the PlayStation Store was launched on April 15, 2008 via a firmware update[9]. The new design is OS based rather than the previous Store's web based design enabling the Store to process information more quickly.
A minor update to the Store was released during the Sony E3 2009 Press Conference. This update makes the top page change pictures (with their links) regularly, and changes the navigation sounds.
[edit] PlayStation Store for PSP
The PSP version of the PlayStation Store, accessible directly from the console, was launched on 15 October, 2008 in firmware update 5.00. It features the same look and feel as the PS3 version and features content specific to the PSP such as themes and demos[10].
[edit] Content
Downloadable content includes:
Photo:
- Free XMB wallpapers
Video:
- For sale SD movies TV shows for rent or purchase (United States and Japan only).
- Free SD/HD game trailers (upcoming PSP games and emulated PlayStation games).
Game:
- Free PSP game demos
- For sale PlayStation emulated games
- For sale PSP games available solely through the PlayStation Store
- For sale PSP games also available on UMD
- For sale PSP add-on content
Other:
- Free XMB themes
- Free MP3 music tracks from PSP games
[edit] Media Go
Media Go is a Sony application for Windows PCs, used to access, download and install games and software to a connected PSP. The software can also be used to manage and transfer other media such as music, videos and photos stored on the PSP and other compatible devices. Files are tranferred to the PSP via a USB connection and are stored on a Memory Stick Duo storage card.
Prior to the release of Media Go, the PlayStation Store was accessible from an internet browser on a PC and later, through an application relased by Sony called the PSP Media Manager. Currently, Media Go is the only way to access the PlayStation Store from a PC.[10] A DRM tool called the PlayStation Network Downloader is also required to install software and games downloaded from the store.
[edit] PSP to PS3 connectivity
Some cross-platform store content such as emulated PlayStation games can be transferred from the PlayStation Portable Memory Stick to the PlayStation 3 HDD using a USB link. Users can also download demos and full PSP games for transfer to the PSP.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ PSP gets direct access to PlayStation Network Store
- ^ "PlayStation Business Review (Page 4)" (PDF). 2008-06-26. http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/IR/info/Strategy/pdf/presen_03.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-06-26.
- ^ Sony Computer Entertainment (2008-06-07). "PLAYSTATION®3 System Software 2.30 User's Guide". Sony Computer Entertainment. http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/edyviewer.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Sony Computer Entertainment (2008-06-07). "Playstation Store: PS Store Cards *Finally* Heading To Retail". Sony Computer Entertainment. http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation-store/ps-store-cards-finally-heading-to-retail-333806.php. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Sony Computer Entertainment (2008-06-07). "PLAYSTATION®Store Music Videos". Sony Computer Entertainment. http://au.playstation.com/ps3/musicvideos.jhtml. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Sony Computer Entertainment (2008-06-03). "PlayStation.Blog » Introducing Qore: Taking you behind the curtain with PlayStation". Sony Computer Entertainment. http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/06/03/introducing-qore-taking-you-behind-the-curtain-with-playstation. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ Sony Computer Entertainment (2008-06-07). "PLAYSTATION 3 Help & Support - Guides:- Background Download". Sony Computer Entertainment. http://uk.playstation.com/help-support/ps3/guides/detail/item60093/Background-Download/. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jp.playstation.com%2Finfo%2Frelease%2Fnr_20081009_pspstore.html&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
- ^ Sony Computer Entertainment (2008-04-14). "PlayStation.Blog » PlayStation Store Update". Sony Computer Entertainment. http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/04/14/playstation-store-update-29/. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ a b "PSP Firmware 5.00 Demo". http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/10/14/firmware-50-demo-playstation-store-on-psp/.
[edit] External links
- Media Go download page
- US PlayStation Store information page on PlayStation.com
- UK PlayStation Store informaiton page on PlayStation.com
- European PlayStation Store updates
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