PlayStation Network

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Icons of the various PSN features

PlayStation Network is Sony's free online service provided for use with their PlayStation 3 video game console.^[1]

It was developed by SCE. Parts of PSN incorporate the Central Station (already working in Europe) and a possible integration with Sony marketplace.

1 User registration
2 Services
3 PlayStation Store
4 PlayStation Home
5 Features
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] User registration

Registration is performed via the PS3 console. Two types of accounts can be created, master accounts and sub accounts. The master account, as the name suggests, allows full access to all settings including parental control. Sub accounts can subsequently be created with desired restrictions set and monitored by the master account holder.^[2]

The console has been launched in all areas as of March 23, 2007. Some sites speculated that potential PS3 customers from outside of Japan and the US would be able to pre-register their favorite user names online at the PlayStation Store.^[3] This proved to be true, as European gamers are now able to register using their PC, giving the added benefit of being able to quickly pre-register their details and more importantly, secure their chosen username.^[4]

[edit] Services

On May 15, 2006, at the PlayStation Business Conference, Sony confirmed that they are preparing for an online service tentatively named PlayStation Network Platform with free online play. Sony also announced some new features at their TGS 2006 conference.

The full list of planned services for the PlayStation Network Platform is as follows.^[1]

Communication/Community

Account created through user registration
Lobbies/Matchmaking
Scores/Ranking
Game data upload/download
Presence/Friend List/Avatar (Games may also choose to use their own individual friends list)
Voice/Video Chat
Messaging
Free Internet Access
PlayStation Home

Account

User Registration
Single Login ID/Handlename issue

Commerce

PlayStation Store

[edit] PlayStation Store

The PS Store logo and storefront

PlayStation Store is a virtual market that allows game demos, trailers, and games to be purchased on the PlayStation 3. The store can only be accessed via the PlayStation 3 XMB under the "Network" category. A PlayStation Network (PSN) account is required to access the store.

[edit] Content

The PlayStation Store contains downloadable content for the PlayStation 3 as well as the PlayStation Portable (PSP), which is regularly updated every Thursday afternoon. This includes:

Downloadable PlayStation Network games and game demos (demos of PSN Games and PS3 games), which can be launched from the HDD of the PlayStation 3. All game demos are free.
Trailers for upcoming movies and Blu-Ray movies, all of which are free.
Game videos (behind the scenes, interviews, etc) and trailers. All are free.
Add-on game content.
Emulated games of the original PlayStation, which can only be played and downloaded to the PSP with firmware version 3.00 or higher.
Content can be viewed on the Official PlayStation Store Site.

[edit] Currency

The PlayStation Store uses local currency to purchase content. For example, one with a US PSN account would buy content in USD or one in Japan would use Yen, etc. This is unlike the Xbox Live Marketplace, which uses Microsoft Points, or the Wii Shop Channel, which uses Wii Points. Money can be added to the "wallet" via credit card or Playstation Card. (See below)

[edit] Interface

The store has an interface based on the PlayStation 3's web browser. Which includes a mouse-like cursor and you must "click" on the links to the downloadable content. While the store is in high-definition, you are able to see a top downloads list, and new releases on the right side, which is sometimes replaced with links to feature downloads in the store. You are also able to view 10 links to content in HD. However, in Standard Definition, due to the 4:3 aspect ratio, it is only able to display 3 direct links to downloadable content, and the "new releases/most downloaded games side bar" is missing.

[edit] Multitasking

As of March 22, 2007, background downloading possible while watching a video stored on the HDD, listening to music, looking at photos, using the web browser and playing offline games^[5] . Officially 6 downloads can be queued up at a time. However, it is technically possible to have more than 6. The status of the downloads can only be checked on the XMB under the "Network" category. It is currently not possible to check the status while playing a game.

[edit] PlayStation Card

The PlayStation Card as Shown at E3 2006

This is a pre-paid card to be used with the PlayStation Store to buy content. There is an option in the store to add money to your "wallet" via this card. This was debuted at E3 2006, but has yet to be released.

[edit] Criticism

The PlayStation Store has been criticised for the unnecessary number of steps it takes to complete a transaction and the lack of background downloading^[6]. As of 2007-03-22 (firmware version 1.6), it is possible to download while watching movies, listening to music, browsing the Internet and playing games offline. The download will continue unless the game is played online; it will then be marked as pending until disconnected from the online game. Officially one can have up to 6 downloads queued up, however it is technically possible to have more than 6.

[edit] PlayStation Home

Main article: PlayStation Home

PlayStation Home is a community based service for the PlayStation Network which will become freely available when it launches in the later part of 2007. Home allows users to create an avatar character for their PlayStation 3 console. This avatar will get their own house, which can be adorned by items players can receive in several achievements. In the future the service will also expand, allowing players to have more sorts of clothing, as well as hold pets.

[edit] Features

All of the online services, from sign-up right through to voice and video chat, are free, as is normal multiplayer gaming. The only things that won't be free are paid-for downloadable content and subscriptions to premium services, such as massively multiplayer online games.

The PS3 has a fully functional web browser, based on NetFront. Much like the PSP browser, the PS3 browser will also support bookmarks and most other standard features found in modern web browsers. Its support of JavaScript is limited.