PlayStation Store revamp underway. First pics. of redesigned store!


Recommended Posts

U.S.

New PLAYSTATION Store interface coming in mid-April

+ Posted by Susan Panico // Sr. Director, PlayStation Network

This morning, SCEA announced that the PLAYSTATION Store will be revamped with a new look in mid-April. We’ve heard your calls for a more fluid Store interface, and we think you’ll be pleased with the results.

As some of the most passionate and knowledgeable PLAYSTATION 3 fans out there, here’s some additional information on the revamped PLAYSTATION Store.

2376548231_dfdbb0d741_o.jpg

As you can see in the above screenshot, the new interface allows customers to browse through eight primary categories, rather than four, making it easier to locate games, demos, game add-ons and other content. It also enables us to put up to twice as many items per page, significantly cutting down the time it takes to browse through content.

Customers will be able to access, browse, shop and download content as usual prior to the store’s re-opening. However, no additional downloadable content will be posted prior to then, including this Thursday, April 3rd, and next Thursday, April 10th. Regularly scheduled content updates will resume with the Store’s re-opening, at which time additional games and game-related items will be added, including the downloadable version of the highly-anticipated exclusive PS3 title Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

When the PLAYSTATION Store is set to re-open with the new interface, PS3 users will be prompted to download a firmware update which will enable entry to the new store.

We’ll continue to update readers of the PlayStation.Blog on the status of the PLAYSTATION Store upgrade – including a video walkthrough – in the coming days.

Source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/03/31/...g-in-mid-april/

U.K.

No PS Store updates until April relaunch

Sony has officially confirmed that the PlayStation Store will be getting a facelift in mid-April, and there will be no new updates until this happens.

"Content will be suspended for two weeks while the improvements are carried out but users can look forward to a special update in mid-April," Sony said today.

We have got three official screenshots of the Store running on PS3 to tide us over, however.

It's getting "a whole new look and feel" and this is "in response to feedback from the millions of PSN registrants in the PAL region" in a survey last year.

Apparently we wanted a "better interface and easier navigation".

So, the store is being renovated behind the scenes, but you can still use it for stuff that's already up there, and PSN accounts and wallets won't be affected.

And for the record, when we spoke to Sony just now, a spokesperson said there was no news on any changes to the PSP Store for PC, so we can assume this is all PS3 for now.

1ANew_store_homepage_1jpg.jpg

2New_store_Categoriesjpg.jpg

3New_store_action_adventure_selecte.jpg

Pictures: http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=129430

Source: http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=129433

FAQ:

Question: The new store looks great! But is it still web based?

Answer: The new Store will no longer be browser based in the same way the current Store is, making things A LOT faster and smoother; hence the required firmware update.

On the back end, this switch in systems means having to port all of the current code over to the new Store, and, since the new Store is less “texty” and more “visual”, it also means having to create a whole bunch of new art assets just for this Store.

We appreciate everyone understanding that these things take time, and appreciate everyone’s patience. We’re just as excited about the new Store as you are!

Hope this helped to answer your question!

Source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/03/31/.../#comment-51836

Question: The store looks great on a HDTV but will it look like that with SDTVs?

Answer: The SD version of the store will look similar and display more items per page than the current 3 item limit.

Source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/03/31/.../#comment-51847

Question: Will we be seeing an equivalent change to the PC PS Store?

Answer: The revamp of the PS Store is only on the PS3 version right now, not on the PC version.

Source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/03/31/.../#comment-51878

Question: Why do the U.S. & European stores look different from each other?

Answer: The PS Stores are managed and operated on a regional basis, so there may be some slight differences in the way we merchandise or categorize the content. We’ve selected the categories based on our market needs, and to make it as easy as possible for you to find the content that you want.

Source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/03/31/.../#comment-51855

Question: If this new store goes down will it effect my online gaming?

Answer: If there’s a case where the PS Store goes down (and PS Network is still up), that should not affect online gaming.

Source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/03/31/.../#comment-51889

W00t! :)

Edited by American Ninja
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is better IMO. A little nicer the old one was nice also) but the things in this one have a better layout. Like, you can display more things and preview them at the same time, compared to the older interface.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't wait for the new look!!! That actually looks better than the Xbox Live Marketplace!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice (Y)

Resemblence to Singstar like many predicted. I expect things to still be tweaked till launch!

Get this, in-game XMB, Home and some good games out and we're set for a great year! :D

ps. I hope the background waves are animated like XMB, but it looks like they're static :p I love wavey waves!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm wondering if there will be the page transitions like you get in SingStar. I doubt it, but hey.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm wondering if there will be the page transitions like you get in SingStar. I doubt it, but hey.

Well thats something that will depend on how hardcore the change to the store is.

It used to be a simple webpage, if they changed it to be an application then it will have the waves and probably transition effects.

Although that doesn't seem likely...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

is it still a website?

or is it more integrated now?

It'll probably always be a button press on the XMB store icon to bring it up.

But what we should hope for and get is quicker loading (Y)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, I really love the new look. The current PS store is very awkward to use. The new one looks like it will have big buttons instead of flimsy thin slabs. Also the darker background will save some retina burns. When you launch the current store, I swear it is like freaking staring at the sun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it more integrated now as some people from NeoGAF pointed out look at the circle button now it takes you back to your previous page instead of exiting the PS Store unless you are at the main page of the store :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm wondering if there will be the page transitions like you get in SingStar. I doubt it, but hey.

yeah I would love to see that too.

The new design looks nice. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^

Well the RFOM2 trailer on the leaked schedule was set for around April the 15th.

So im guessing for the weeks we've missed out on, we'll get a "blow out" of content plus the RFOM2 trailer.

Anything related to Home before E3 now is hopeful IMO.

Although GTA4 is going to support Home, maybe Sony would be wise to get an open beta out before GTA4 to market DLC/Achievement support in GTA4?

To fuel the fire further, the studio who are making Home are based in London. Might be linked to the PAL store facelift being confirmed first?

I wouldnt worry though, I expect all new stores to launch at the same time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well we were told Home beta spring 2008 weren't we? That would mean latest possible would be a Beta right before E3 wouldn't it?

Imagine if the GTA4 disc contained Home beta on it, now that's hopeful :laugh:.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.