What a load of crap!
Why do EU/AU/NZ ALWAYS miss out?
WHERE THE HELL IS METAL GEAR SOLID LIKE PROMISED!!!!!!
Europeans United By PSN
We Europeans do like to disagree amongst ourselves but SCEE have a sure-fire way to get us united...Published 18/06/2009 at 15:00 by Watchful
SCEE do not have an easy task of serving their community. Actually, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is a bit of a misnomer as they are responsible for looking after PlayStation in 104 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. Additionally, they themselves have acknowledged that of the three SCE regional groups, America, Japan and Europe, when it comes to the PSN they have the smallest team though they are working to grow it.
So serving such a diverse group of target countries and markets with all the differences across their region must be a headache at the best of times. When you consider how fractious just the European part of the community is and all the different languages SCEE must support it is somewhat of a marvel of modern multi-national business that SCEE can function at all.
It is possible to unite large parts of the community though. That is something that SCEE is discovering again today via the comments section of their post on this week’s PSN update. There are over 260 comments on the post already, most not particularly complimentary towards this weeks PSN update and SCEE in general.
Simply because this update is not as filled with content as those of the last few weeks have been many PSN users seem to feel it is okay to vent their spleen at SCEE and are digging up all the old complaints about Europe being left behind by the US Store.
Oh my what a terrible update lol
So America got Bomberman last week, where is ours? America is getting Metal Gear Solid today where is ours? Seriously SCEE are a joke.
The other old chestnut of asking where software we have been promised is when SCEE have not yet actually made an announcement about its release date is also proving popular.
I am glad to see that there are some more reasonable commenters though they are in the minority.
Its been a week since burnout big surf island, kz2 maps, cod:waw maps and vidzone, and you guys expect more stuff already? Cut them some slack, last week’s update was awesome and I’m sure we’ll see more updates like that soon enough.
I have to give kudos to SCEE’s Mike Kebby who has been responding to all the flak the update has garnered. He has taken the time to reply that the team understand that it is a weaker store update this week but we have had a couple of good weeks since E3 and there is more good stuff to come over the coming weeks.
When pressed by commenters for details and release dates for the upcoming releases he says he does not want to give us release dates in case the community feels disappointed if any of them are missed. Given some of the comments being posted I cannot blame him for not risking the wrath of the community.
He is responding to some of the more often repeated complaints that have been aired in the comments such as where is the French language version of FFVII and what has happened the Blast Factor update. The French version of FFVII is going through final QA and they hope to release it next week. The Blast Factor update is coming but they do not have a specific release date yet.
I think it is a shame, though seemingly inevitable, that just because there are no games or demos on the store this week that SCEE are being given such a hard time. My wallet is certainly glad for a week off after the Burnout and Killzone DLC last week and I am looking forward to downloading the Assassin’s Creed gameplay video.
I believe that over the past few months SCEE have upped their game with regard to the PSN Store and providing information and feedback to the community via the EU PS Blog. I think we are a long way ahead of where we were 12 or 24 months ago. Only this morning we recapped the first ten games released on the PSN Store. Those ten games covered almost three months of PSN updates, five of them were on the store at launch and there were no releases during that May.
Is it really justified to complain to SCEE about this week’s less than stellar update when they obviously have been working to improve things? Let me know what you think in the comments.
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
Not logged in
Log in to join the TSA Community, see your PS3 Trophies, check your PMs, take part in TSA Meets and earn TSA Points.
toutski | 18/06/2009 15:14
Legend
4164 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
They are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
If they hold back content and drip-feed it then we complain that its not coming quick enough.
If we have a few awesome weeks then a quiet one we are complaining also!
The PSN has came on massively in the last while, and that’s the one thing we can’t complain about!
God, we are a hateful bunch…
YOURMUMANDME | 18/06/2009 18:15
Member
1156 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
I know , it’s dissappointing but it’s not the end of the world ! If anything it’s more entertaining logging into another store to see what they have to download . Imagine going shopping and only having one shop to buy stuff from .
kevatron400 | 19/06/2009 22:36
Don't call him Kevatron400.
1756 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
Completely spot on!
DarthSharkey | 18/06/2009 15:15
Member
1044 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
I think when you release week after week of great content then people just expect it on a regular basis. The fact that SCEE say they have to expand is true and they are looking after lots of countries so it takes time to adapt certain aspects of items for each of them.
Roynaldo | 18/06/2009 15:16
Member
2990 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
Lol, funny how you made my topic into a massie story!
Watchful | 18/06/2009 15:28
Team TSA: Writer
2084 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
Sorry, hadn’t spotted your post in the forum.
For anyone else who missed it:
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/forum/general-chat/the-language-barrier/
Roynaldo | 18/06/2009 15:37
Member
2990 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
its ok, just honestly found it funny to see my 2 sentence topic expanded in such a way even if it wasnt intended.
haz360 | 18/06/2009 15:17
Member
421 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
When you think about it really, this week’s update isn’t so bad. Yeah it’s lacking in content but after the past month or so of updates being fantastic, I’m sure SCEE can be “let off” for a smaller update every now and then.
Good on Mike Kebby for responding to the comments, at least SCEE are making an effort to address any issues the community have. Surely that’s something people won’t complain about? (Although I’m sure some will still find a way…)
hannes_truce | 18/06/2009 15:18
Member
2919 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
I think SCEE should be given a break. so the update’s not great. the last few weeks have been phenominal and I’m pretty certain the next few weeks will be better than this.
see this as being their summer holiday and stop complaining.
nofi | 18/06/2009 15:19
Wants a custom tag.
4302 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Toutski is right, SCEE can’t win. I’m thinking that TSA’s weekly Store Updates aren’t helping the situation, though, because perhaps we’re instrumental in building up hype for games that don’t have solid release dates – although I do take time to try and get as much of our Store Update posts correct, naturally things change over at SCEE and sometimes at the last minute.
What is disappointing is the ridiculous comments that people like Kebby have to deal with – I knew (and SCEE knew) that this sort of thing would be a problem on the Blog just as it was with ThreeSpeech, it’s as if people feel that a slower Thursday robs them of some kind of personal property and they feel that venting is the only way to express that. My guess is that most of the complainers haven’t bought anything for weeks and just like to moan.
AcidCrashX | 18/06/2009 15:21
Member
600 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
i don’t think we can blame the TSA updates. its dependent on the commenter’s to keep it civil and not stupid.
Roarster | 18/06/2009 17:05
Member
148 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
Surely solid release dates would help reduce these sort of outbursts? I know they’re short staffed but it doesn’t exactly make them look professional when they can’t even tell you a week in advance what will be getting released. I can’t imagine a record or film publisher operating like this. It doesn’t even allow them to hype a release properly.
Of course, none of that excuses the children throwing their toys out of the pram, but that’s what the anonymity of the internet gives you, and it’s certainly not limited to the PlayStation Blog.
spooner_22 | 18/06/2009 18:04
Member
1174 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
Yea i agree, if they eventually start giving lists of release dates it will stop this kind of stuff
Withnail | 18/06/2009 19:50
Member
224 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
Agree with this nofi and it’s decent of you to admit that your store predictions (and those on other sites) don’t really help. That’s not to say you should stop them, they are useful and informative for those of us that understand they are just predictions. But unfortunately there are a lot of morons that seem to take everything they read on the internet at face value.
There’s no denying it was a crappy update today, but in general they’ve been excellent recently and there is some really good stuff coming soon as well. SCEE seem to be doing a good job, most of the delays _are_ beyond their control (believe it or not), and I find their new-found frankness and enthusiasm for communication quite refreshing. Let’s hope all the angry young men venting on the blog don’t wear Kebby et al down too much.
Manorhowze | 18/06/2009 22:15
Driving God
2032 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
I see your point nofi. The TSA updates do fuel disappointment when they turn out to be incorrect but you clearly state that all lists are provisional and subject to change. If people feel they have been robbed because something didnt appear on the store then that is their problem not SCEE’s or yours for that matter. I think the store updates on TSA should stay and if your worried about raising hopes maybe have a bigger or more prominent disclaimer at the top of the page.
AcidCrashX | 18/06/2009 15:19
Member
600 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
i commented on the EU blog post saying to Mike that i was grateful for the update and that its unreasonable for a lot of the commenter’s to expect amazing content every week. last week we got FF7 for god sake! some people are never happy >_>
either way fair play to Mike for answering questions and putting up with alot of crap from some of those people
nofi | 18/06/2009 15:20
Wants a custom tag.
4302 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Yeah, we should alert Mike to this post.
AcidCrashX | 18/06/2009 15:22
Member
600 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
He replied to me actually. Giving thanks and saying the team is working hard which was very awesome (think I was like page 5 or 6)
jacklum | 18/06/2009 15:19
Member
990 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
I really don’t see why people get so upset every week if there aren’t any stellar new games. There are already a lot of quality titles on the store. Sure, games like Flower and Noby Noby Boy aren’t going to last you that long, but there are many games that offer plenty of longevity. If an update doesn’t provide you with anything of interest, then go back and try and get a few more Elite golds on Wipeout, beat your highscores on Super Stardust, open up a new garden on PixelJunk Eden, rescue all the VIPs on The Last Guy, try and earn any of the trophies on Trash Panic etc… etc… Those 5 games I just mentioned cost less than the price of a single full price retail game and are among the best value for money I’ve ever gotten out of video games.
Kubr1ck | 18/06/2009 15:20
Member
107 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
I agree with the bulk of the post. Whatever SCEE do someone is going to complain.
However I can see the frustrations as other territories march onwards with content that leaks out in dribs and drabs over here much later, if at all. The virtual world has no regional barriers and expecting people to be thankful for what they get while half their friends list gets content they can’t access is asking a lot.
Not to mention charging for the Penthouse in the UK when every other country (including EU) gets it free. I’m hoping that’s an error that will be corrected soon, because it really looks like a cynical attempt to screw a bit more money out of UK users. It really does leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
Such a shame as all the goodwill generated by Xi, for example, evaporates instantly.
Soild_Nat | 18/06/2009 15:29
Member
804 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009
“I think we are a long way ahead of where we were 12 or 24 months ago”
Agree with that mate, and i think SCEE have done a great job since a shuffle of management a few months ago now.
Funny breed us gamers, with all the content out over the last few weeks there surely cant be enough hours in the day to play and complete all the extra content released, never mind new game releases, yet some gamers are still so unhappy that they feel the need to complain at SCEE.
At least here at TSA towers us sensible and realistic gamers can take sanctuary with like minded people.
My most played game this week is Worms! Me and my PSN mates have been loving it even more since the 4 player chat patch was released! Who needs MGS…Ultra Bomberman… etc anyway!
jacklum | 18/06/2009 15:33
Member
990 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
The impression, which a lot of people seem to have, that the EU store is always last is not entirely accurate. The EU store received GTI Club+, Astro Tripper, Savage Moon and CellFactor before the US store did. And Dark Mist, Outrun Online Arcade and Inferno Pool aren’t on the US store.
colossalblue | 18/06/2009 15:37
Team TSA: Editor
1398 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
I am so pissed off with Ford right now, I saw some old sci-fi books from the 70’s that promised me I’d be in a flying car by the year 2000. It’s 2009 and Ford still haven’t updated their damn range, where’s my flying cars AS PROMISED?!
jacklum | 18/06/2009 15:39
Member
990 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
We were also promised jet-packs. I want my jet-pack godammit!!
AcidCrashX | 18/06/2009 15:40
Member
600 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
DAMN STRAIGHT! AND WHY THE HELL DIDNT JUDGEMENT DAY HAPPEN!?
DarthSharkey | 18/06/2009 16:52
Member
1044 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
It did if you have seen Salvation!
yobrenoops | 18/06/2009 15:39
Member
472 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
I am flat out loving the meltdowns on the thread over on the EU.Blog. Takes me back to the badlands of 2007 and ThreeSpeech. Oh T3rrortime how you disliked SCEE
Anyone fancy some memory lane?
http://threespeech.com/blog/2008/02/march-7th-singstore-update/#comments
We have it so much better than back then!
colossalblue | 18/06/2009 15:44
Team TSA: Editor
1398 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Comment 30 is awesome, I really wish it was written by who it says it was.
yobrenoops | 18/06/2009 16:02
Member
472 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
Some of the weekly breakdowns on TS were amazing. Always nice to read and get stuck into. The delay in PAIN was a great one for a few months. Guaranteed nuclear war.
Soild_Nat | 18/06/2009 15:49
Member
804 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009
I wonder what happened to JohnSketch?
yobrenoops | 18/06/2009 16:00
Member
472 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
I’ve seen him pop up a few times at the EU.Blog.
Shrui | 18/06/2009 16:44
Member
261 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
hahaha! I’m on that thread! Used to moan a lot on Threespeech, but then things in PS3 and PSN land got better and I found the nice more laid back TSA to visit as well.
Also getting a virtual visa card that could work on the US store did wonders! But I’ve not had to use that in a while which says to me things are getting there.
As for the the update this week, we’ve had a very content rich couple of weeks, lot of demos etc from E3 AND Uncharted 2 multiplayer beta! Which I’m shit at but still fun!
Most importantly is at least there was someone from SCEE now talking directly on the site. We’ve needed that for a while!
So points for effort SCEE, thats coming from someone who spat their name so grats to them. Think I’ll go post some appreciation for them tonight.
Carl | 18/06/2009 15:45
Member
734 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2009
Not everyone likes the same things though. Only thing i got last week was Vidzone, as i personally think KZ2 is more generic shooter shit. I never even finished the campaign.
I was hoping for something to spend my monies on but oh well. Another week they miss out
AcidCrashX | 18/06/2009 15:49
Member
600 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
out of interest what was the last thing you bought on PSN?
Carl | 18/06/2009 16:53
Member
734 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2009
Final Fantasy 7 + Trash panic.
Seeing as i once spent £60 on one update, and FFVII + TP are the only things i have bought this month, it shows that this month isn’t of much interest to me personally.
And don’t say i’m a complainer, i have spent well over £300 on the store.
2ofclubs | 18/06/2009 15:46
Member
606 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
The moaning is pretty pointless. Sure, it’s disappointing when something doesn’t arrive when you hope it will but moaning won’t change it. Would people prefer SCEE to yank the French FFVII out of important QA just so people get it sooner or would they prefer a better tested and, in theory, a higher quality product a week or two down the line? This applies to most delays, they are there for a reason and as soon as it’s ready we’ll get it. If not we’d all have prototype versions of games and be moaning about when we’d receive the final updates anyway. It’s a lose – lose situation.
I personally am pleased with how well the EU Playstation blog has come on and how well they are keeping us informed. Keep up the good work and ignore the unconstructive feedback. Oh and TSA keep going with the weekly updates, even if they don’t end up exactly as predicted it’s still nice to have the content to look forward to whenever it does actually arrive. Rant over and have a lovely day everyone.