Hi everyone,
My name is Angela Madronero and I’m the European PlayStation Store Manager. For a while now, we’ve seen a number of recurring questions about the PlayStation Store appearing on the blog. Many of the questions can’t be covered in the weekly PlayStation Store update; therefore, I wanted to take this opportunity to respond to some of the most frequently asked questions.
How has the European PlayStation Store grown since its launch? Are there any plans to increase the reach of the store further?
The first thing to say is that the “European” PlayStation Store is also available in non-European countries. Basically, the countries that make up the SCEE region (which historically operated the PAL TV system) all come under the banner of Europe. For the purposes of this blog I’ll continue to call it the European Store, which operates alongside our sister stores in servicing American, Japanese and Asian markets.
We have 29 stores across 25 countries, which require the use of 13 currencies and 8 languages. As you can imagine, it takes a significant amount of coordination and operational support to maintain our existing stores; however, our current list of countries is by no means final. We are definitely interested in further geographic expansion of the PlayStation Store.
The PlayStation Store is a commercial enterprise; therefore, we need to prioritise the roll-out of additional stores by reviewing a country’s PLAYSTATION 3 installed base, broadband penetration and e-commerce environment. These reviews are completed on a case-by-case basis. Ultimately, the roll-out of additional countries needs to make commercial sense.
What improvements have been made to the PlayStation Store since launch?
Those people who have been using PS Store since 2007 will have seen many changes in such a relatively short space of time. The changes are usually made in response to user comments, or to improve operational efficiency.
From a user point of view, over the course of two years we’ve:
- Re-launched the PS3 store with a significantly improved layout and design using a native PS3 technology rather than the original browser-based store. This dramatically improved the speed performance and provided a richer graphical experience. We were also able to configure the same store design to both High-definition and Standard-definition TV.
- Implemented an ‘A-Z’ search section throughout all stores.
- Rolled-out a ‘Preview Button’ for sneak peeks at content.
- Launched the PSP Store and made PSP content available via the PC (Media Go).
Our most recent updates include:
- Design refresh
- Search functionality within English language stores; roll-out across non-English language stores to follow
- Additional rotating advertising slots in order to highlight new content
Why is the navigation different across different regions?
There are times when different regions choose slightly different navigation flows or ways to reach content. Basically this choice is a reflection of the type and quantity of content on offer, as well as the differing operational requirements of each store.
Clearly with so many stores in so many different languages, there are some unique operational and consumer facing requirements for the European Store, but our basic approach is to provide navigation that allows users access to content in the quickest time and with the least number of clicks.
In order to ensure the best user experience, we conduct surveys and user tests to analyse the ways in which consumers access content. These tests are completed in many countries in order to make sure that all requirements are captured and considered before the final decisions are made.
We have been asked whether it would be possible to have a demo category that allows for direct entry to demos from the Store Top (home page). Research to date has shown that the download figures for demos in the US Store and the European Store are very similar, so it seems that most visitors to the European Store are able find demos easily in whichever store they visit. For this reason we are not planning to change the placement of demos in the store; instead we are concentrating our efforts on changing the navigation flow in some other ways.
Why is there different content on the European Store from the US and Japanese stores?
This question often gets asked. In fact, all Stores have different content depending on their local markets. We are committed to working very hard to ensure that our first-party content (the games created by our own Sony Computer Entertainment development teams) is published across all the PlayStation-Stores, simultaneously. We know how important this is to you, and I hope that you’ve seen an improvement in synchronised, worldwide releases over the past six months.
Why is there a difference in third party content?
The decision about whether and when to release a game for sale is in the hands of the individual publisher (companies like Capcom, EA, Konami, Ubisoft, etc.).
In the same way that the publisher decides when to launch the disc version of a game, they also decide if and when PlayStation Network content is made available.
There are many reasons why our third party partners may not be able to launch content in one region on a particular time/date; this may be due to technical glitches, digital rights issues, localisation requirements etc. So the issues are a little more complex than may first appear.
We know that there is a lot of frustration when content is released on one store but not another. I can confirm that from a PlayStation Store point of view, we are committed to supporting our third party partners in bringing as much content as possible to the European Store.
In addition to accepting credit cards, the US allows you to use pre-paid cards within the PlayStation-Store. Will we be getting a pre-paid cards system and, if so, when?
This is something we’re definitely looking into for European Store users. I can’t give you any further information at the moment but I can assure everyone that we will be bringing you more news in the not too distant future, so please hang in there!
When will Europe get a video and music download service?
We recently launched VidZone – a great EU first, free of charge music video streaming service. We have received very positive feedback and are thrilled with its successful launch, with over 1 million downloads in less than 8 weeks.
At Games Convention in August last year, we announced that we had a long-term plan to launch a video on demand service for some countries in the SCEE region. This is still our plan, and as soon as we have all the details locked down, one of my colleagues who is working on the programme will give you an update on when and what will be available.
I hope that answers some of your immediate questions. Keep the comments and feedback coming, and I look forward to updating you as and when I have more information to share.
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223 CommentsAdd Yours
51
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:28 pm by HazelAM
and when it comes to the movies and tv stuff.
don’t sony own a bloody studio or two?
i know they own at least one movie studio and i’m pretty sure they have a tv studio or two on the books.
explain why a movie studio owner can’t release any films in europe?
52
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:28 pm by KAP
@44 YOU ARE SOOOOOOO RIGHT!!!
why dont they just have a video conference with us the people that own a PS3 and that use the PSN and that way they can get what WE WANT, not what they THINK WE WANT!!!!
ahhhh sony. the solution is stareing you in the faces. LOOK!
I wish i can run the company… just for a day… just a day.
53
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:28 pm by hyperslug
Let me use THIS oppertunity to say: GET YOUR STUFF TOGETHER!
Content in our region often shows up months after it does in the US. But for some reason Microsoft have no issues with releasing content simultaneously.
Also it cant be that hard to call up the 3rd parties and ask them to earn some easy money by putting GOOD ps1 games on the store.
YOU GUYS ARE PATHETIC!
54
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:40 pm by bravo9zero
We need a Demo section! The UK store is too cluttered.
To find a demo, You need to go too “ps3 games”
Then chose a category. Then look through all the FULL games and add.ons, Before you find a demo you want.
Too much hassle..
Just add a “Demo” (Ps3 demo’s!) section on the store.
Simple.
55
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:44 pm by oGGe45
@50 Yes agree
56
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:45 pm by ZornGottes
what has been repeated ad nauseam re: the categories: take a look at how your US colleagues organize their store : it’s remarkably _better_. (Demo/DLC/PSN games are really relevant, saying that research has shown your EU customers to find the demo’s as easily is a _nonsensical_ argument)
Instead of listening to focusgroups, hire 1 intelligent information manager for 6 months & you’re DONE! He doesn’t even have to reinvent the wheel!
57
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:51 pm by almighty-slayer
As ha already been said: How hard is it to tell publishers to submit a game to all regions at the same time? And that includes every part of SCEE, not just the UK.
Okay i can understand if it is a localisation thing. But things like PSOne games, which clearly are already in the right languages and localised…Just say to Konami; “Right, you’re submitting MGS to the US, you HAVE to submit it everywhere else aswell, or it isn’t going up.”
MS force loads of things on devs. Do it. Now
58
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:51 pm by nuclear_predator
So we dont get a demo section because download figures are more or less the same as the US? I dont know how that warrants not having a demo section at all.. its more useful than having a Family Games section, is it not? The thing is, people are asking for it, so its needed. I dont know how hard it is to change the name of ‘Family Games’ to ‘Demos’ and dump a load of demos in there, but SCEEs complete reluctance to do so is making it seem as if its an impossible task.
Other than that, I dont really have any problems with the EU store. The pricing etc. doesnt really bother me too much lol.
One thing that would be nice though, is a ‘Top Downloads’ list on the right of the PS Store homepage, like the US Store has. It gives more exposure to games in the top 10 and generally gives an idea of what is worth downloading as well.
59
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:51 pm by Killa_Cobra_ST
Thanks, that should answer many peoples questions.
60
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:52 pm by bravo9zero
Tell me SCEE, What’s the point of this blog?
You don’t listen or act on ANYTHING we say!
You can’t even add a Simple demo section to the UK store. After so many people asking for one.
Or a decent A-Z (Look at US store’s A-Z SCEE..)
And It’s been over a year, and you still can’t release the video store
In Europe(I know there’s legal issues Etc But a year Is enough time to sort those out)
61
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:53 pm by jellis1992
The reason a demos section is needed is so we can browse the demos to see if there is anything we might like without having to search through pages of add-ons, full games etc. that we dont want to waste time looking through.
Just because we download the same amount of demos as the US doesnt mean we dont need a demos section.
62
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 4:55 pm by DoomnY
@59
It’s Sony own questions, not ps3 gamers lol
63
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:02 pm by Skookie30
okay it been approximately 67 post & no answer back from you angela has SCEE put a gag order on you to, plz hear our CRIES do a good deed, at least give us a HINT, talk to us more & not on a hearsay.
64
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:03 pm by Skookie30
edit: sorry mean 62 can we have a edit button as well thank you.
65
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:04 pm by SSkunky
Some of the comments here are laughable.
If a couple of quid here and there doesn’t matter when they do the conversions then they wouldn’t mind rounding it DOWN instead of UP all the time.
Ans as for not complaining about the service because it’s ‘free’, this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
Sony wants our cash and they use this service to get it, of course it’s not bl**dy free! On the whole the service provided is pretty good, however we in Europe seem to get treated as 2nd class citizens when compared to other regions which is not on.
66
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:09 pm by BiosNova
All these comments just go to show SCEE dont listento a think we say. And we are saying we want a demo section!
67
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:10 pm by mmatzat
Why is there less content on the European Store than the US and Japanese stores?
Do we just mean less to the companys or is european copyright law so harsh on you guys? I mean, seriusly, i can still pick up Metal Gear Solid in a Second hand store or on ebay, but you are not able to get it on PSN?
I am sorry, but wen it comes to the PSN i just feel like a secondary customer…
68
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:17 pm by noruraeus
Personally I wish people here would take a step back and actually think before they post.
Seriously, if putting out PS1 games was a 5 minute job and a license to print money then Sony and all the third party vendors would do it, period. So when it isn’t happening at the pace people here would like to see, the explanation is because there are technical, legal and financial reasons for it.
For example one IPR question I think someone posted about a few weeks ago is the fact that for a lot of these games, the royalty agreement with the original voice actors have expired, which means you need to re-negotiate it for up to 25 countries. If there isn’t any evidence that you actually will make a lot of money from re-releasing the game that might not be cost effective.
As for Sony blocking the release in the rest of the world until publishers release for all of Europe, they are already doing that Europe wide, and I seem to remember quite a few people whining about why the UK/Australia/New Zealand is held up by the rest of Europe for instance.
69
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:19 pm by TheTaxMan
Thanks and are you going to answer any the questions put to you by the paying public ?
70
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:24 pm by whoismilan
“We recently launched VidZone – a great EU first”
Great EU first – that’s only available in a handful of countries and has nothing to do with gaming (the reason I have a PS3).
“Research to date has shown that the download figures for demos in the US Store and the European Store are very similar … For this reason we are not planning to change the placement of demos in the store”
It is all starting to make perfect sense now… The PS3 is doing to well in Europe that you think you don’t have to improve anything. That’s why us EU customers will keep being treated like dirt.
This was the last drop. I have now cancelled my PSP Go pre-order, and I just ordered an Xbox 360. This will be the first time since the mid 90′s that a Playstation console is not my primary gaming system.
71
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:24 pm by Arkeologen
Great article!
some questions:
Any chance that you will offer an update notification service so that when any PSN content that you have downloaded gets an update one will get a message that a patch has been released?
Will Sweden be part of the countries that gets a video store or do I have to buy a X360 this autumn to get that service?
Microsoft, Xbox 360 and XBLA will offer that service for Sweden this autumn.
What happened to all the PsOne titles that would get released? There is a serious drought with only the odd worthless title being released.
72
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:29 pm by KAP
OMG, Angela. Are You kidding me!!!
“most visitors to the European Store are able find demos easily in whichever store they visit. For this reason we are not planning to change the placement of demos in the store”
OMG!
OMG!
OMG!
…. Are you kidding?
So what your saying is that if my misses wanted to find a demo she wanted to play she’ll find it with ease then? is that what your telling us?
Look nothing will be better then a Button that says “DEMOS”… how hard is it to impliment guys?
eg. These a the Clicks to find ratchet and clank DEMO…..
73
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:29 pm by KAP
…….
1. Click on PSN store
2. Click on “PS3 Games”
Now its at this point **** gets real confusing with all these silly icons?!?!?!? by the time you figure out what R&C is in you cant be bothered to try the demo.
lets skip a load of steps and assume my misses find R&S after a long while of icon clicking…
now its at this point my misses gets confussed because there are two R&C and its not fully stated thats the demo and what isnt.
Now if there was a DEMO section you wouldnt get gamers (or gamers misses) getting cinfused about whats the demo and what “isnt” in the “DEMO SECTION”
Angela, seriously mate
If i can give you one bit of advice right now, it’ll be “you have two ears and one mouth for a reason”
74
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:33 pm by Kenshin71
Sony have also dropped the ball when it comes to full downloadable games on PSN. I downloaded Burnout Paradise off PSN and a friend of mine got Warhawk and GT5P (I have the disc versions), so I imagine it’s not uncommon. Then Microsoft announce Games On Demand, 30 games at launch but their pricing strategy is crazy. There are a number of games I wouldn’t get on disc that I’d impulse buy off PSN if the price was right. If Sony introduced more full games at a reasonable standard price point it would benefit gamers, Sony and 3rd party publishers.
Games like Dead Rising or Dirt or Lost Planet which have sequels coming out or critically mid tier games like Naruto UNS or Afro Samurai would be perfect for PSN. Contact the 3rd parties, make it happen.
75
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:37 pm by KAP
@58
i totally agree with you mate. also a top download list is a good idea for your reason alone, along all the other things
76
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:38 pm by Espiox
Just because we CAN find demos doesn’t mean it’s a pleasant or intuitive experience doing so.
77
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:40 pm by Arkeologen
Another question.
Do every store have some contact person you can reach and how do you reach them if you have problem?
If there is no support for each store, why is that and when will you offer that support for your customers?
78
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:40 pm by taurus82
Are there any plans to provide an optional (like VidZone, Photo Gallery, Home etc) music visualisation (eg G-Force, Milkdrop) service for the PS3?
79
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:45 pm by JeredgeLigh
Hi
Great to know you guys are listening to our questions. As for the PSN cards, would it be possible to make them like PAYG phone top-up cards? That would make life a lot easier.
Thanks
80
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:46 pm by TheTaxMan
@58 agreed.
The store is nice though .
Any chance of a sale now and again . 50% off days or freedays were everything is free for 1 hour @ a rediculas time.
When are you going to start selling psn avatars / themes ?
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:58 pm by Angela Madronero
Thanks for your feedback, TheTaxMan.
We are looking into extending our special offers!
81
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 5:51 pm by mooks_fanboy
Wow. I can barely see past the amount PR spin on those so called answers. I’m not surprised, you’re technically from marketing, as shown in your LinkendIn profile. I implore you not to ignore the “harder” questions posed by the commenters. They present completely valid doubts, concerns and queries. By addressing those issues, it truly does show that you’re reading these comments, taking the feedback and progressing the service. Are you one of those many PR drones that pushes out shallow posts to die, or are you an actual person, deserving of the “European PlayStation Store Manager” title? I dare you to reply if read.
82
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:00 pm by almighty-slayer
Information on video store next week you say?
You win.
If you do what SCEA did with theirs, and it comes out of the evening of the conference, i will love you forever
83
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:04 pm by bravo9zero
Are we getting new PSN avatars this year?
Hope so
84
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:04 pm by boffin92
Can I ask why the EU Store has such awful categorization?
Excuse my bluntness but I wanna just be forward and to the point with this subject.
I understand that in certain areas of services things should differ according to the territory they’re serving, but this is an area where it shouldn’t, the categorization of the EU Store is completely illogical and very frustrating.
Could we not have something like this:
Latest
Demos
PS3 Games
PS3 DLC
Videos
Applications
Themes & Wallpapers
PSP Stuff
And within certain categories that require it, have different sorting options.
I’m into GUI design and done a full run down on the EU forums a while ago, feel free to take a look…
http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?boar d.id=62&message.id=1481345&query.id=55073
85
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:05 pm by boffin92
^^ Link seems to have broken, copy and stitch back together, lol. ^^
86
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:06 pm by KAP
@82
I second that. Even though ive kinda moaned in the last few comments i’d rate SCEE for releasing the videostore that evening.
87
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:06 pm by PMatos
Thank you Angela, and Sony in general. I was very happy not only about the posting of this FAQ but also that this demonstrates that Sony cares for its users and indeed, works towards a better user experience at all times.
88
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:06 pm by Bahamut44-4
Fingers, toes and every else is all crossed that the Video Service and Vidzone hit Sweden.
And can only echo what has been said previously, DEMO SECTION. It’s so awefully cluttered if you dont know exactly what you are looking for and are just there to browse.
Otherwise decent article, hopefully will clear up some of the complaints on the store threads every week (but I doubt it).
89
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:08 pm by imajinetion
Hopefully the European Video Store won’t be for just for like 5 countries, like Vidzone. Pretty please.
90
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:10 pm by Diablo_Rosso
Every PSN game needs a demo, like on Xbox Live. So that should be mandatory.
Also, where are the PS1 games, (MGS1, RE1 etc) that the US and Japan have got. Why does Europe have to wait for a game that was first made over 10 years ago? It’s stupid.
91
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:10 pm by almighty-slayer
@86,
Though i’m sure we all know that when we finally do get it, the weekly content updates will be incredibly mediocre, with maybe one awesome movie per month, and everything else being some obscure movie from the 1980s that noone has heard of
92
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:11 pm by bravo9zero
Nice Job on answering some questions Angela!
Got me Really excited for GamesCom next week.
Good idea on the live blog aswel
93
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:12 pm by TheTaxMan
Thanks for reply , looking forward to your live blog next week.
I think if theres good news on the horizon then a nice turn in sonys favour would be a great benifit for the psn store.
could you post times and info about next weeks live blog please….
94
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:13 pm by Khazar
I love your politic about not unify playstation store because the 8 languages, what about applying it too to HOME? its annoys me the hard way to find contry mates without asking or inspect EVERYONE front me, that isnt so user friendly too.
95
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:13 pm by jipmg
Hey guys Id like to make a suggestion (its been commented on before). PSN is really lacking in the Avatars/themes department and it would be really cool if you guys could add some nice avatars from recently released games such as Infamous, Killzone, Little big planet, and anything else. It would also be great if you could let us use our own user images as avatars to make our PSN accounts more personal.
96
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:14 pm by SabbathRider
I appreciate you taking the time to put this together as it is a useful resource for many queries that people may have.
I do however agree with many of the commnents relating to the ‘competition’. Sony has a superb console and a wealth of experience in the Video Games Industry, Sony needs to use this to be more assertive and secure better content for its customers.
While most of us appreciate how difficult it is to manage the European territories, it is frustrating to see the competition manage to deliver such a balanced service, no matter where the customer is located.
97
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:15 pm by Shin-Ra
Will there be any organisation, search or custom sorting of our download lists? It’s pretty unwieldy scrolling through one 300-long list of content.
Looking forward to Housemarque’s game announcement in a week!
98
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:16 pm by imajinetion
Yeah, what the heck happened to the full game releases on the Store? Microsoft has already got more of them, and we have the biggest harddrives. Doesn’t make sense.
99
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:17 pm by BiosNova
SCEE if you do release the video store on the same day of the announcement then i will <3 you forever! You will make a lot of people happy!
Sorry if all my other posts on here sounded like moaning!
100
Posted on 11 August, 2009 at 6:17 pm by Bahamut44-4
@30 and Angela
Ah! This is driving me nuts! Sure if you KNOW what you WANT demos aren’t that hard to find.
It’s when i’m BROWSING through the store that it’s a cluttered jumble.
If I want to browse for a new game, i’ve got demos in the way. Similarly, if I want to browse around for a demo that might interest me, i’ve got all sorts of games in the way.
There’s something wrong with the research here. Ask if people WANT a demo section rather then if they have trouble finding demos.
Frustration central.
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