Last week’s Tweak It prompted many more comments than we expected. Asking you how you would tweak the PS3’s GameOS to improve its existing capabilities you all had a lot of great ideas. Having read through all your suggestions here are my top three:
- “Notification display: change so you can have All, Only Messages or Off.” ~ sideshow
- “Automated trophy sync.” ~ Kennykazey, musicmonkey, Awayze, hazelam
- “Game independent screenshot feature.” ~ hazelam
This week we would like to know how you would change Sony’s PlayStation Network Store. From our gamer’s perspective the PSN Store is where we go to access the latest downloadable goodies whether they be trailers, DLC or games. As the key non-retail place where we go to spend our hard-earned pennies and cents the Store should be a welcoming place.
From Sony’s perspective they should be trying to make the Store as easy to use as possible, to make those impulse purchases easier and quicker. Not only that, it is their shop window where they should be doing all they can to encourage us to visit often and linger longer as we browse the virtual shelves.
There were hints back in March that Sony were working on a Store redesign, followed by rumours earlier this month that a new Store design is already being tested. Changes are likely coming then, but it may not be too late for Sony to listen to suggestions. Here are a couple to get you started:
- A page on the Store that lists only the DLC for the games that you already own. The Xbox’s Games Marketplace does this already, but it could be taken one step further and leave out of the list any DLC you already have and any games that you have all the DLC for.
- Dynamic themes on the Store often have a ‘Preview’ button which essentially shows you a ‘trailer’ for the theme. The pages for the games also should feature a preview/trailer button so there is no need to go hunting elsewhere on the Store for them.
Over to you, our readers. We know that you would like to see lower prices, so let’s take that as a given. What else could Sony do to the Store to encourage you to spend your money there and make it a nicer place to visit?
Enzo DeGregorio
Have a ‘titles coming soon’ list with a preliminary set of arrival dates for upcoming PSN games.
fattyuk
Hmmmm that would come in handy, think it kinda hits the spot of more uptodate info, new bars etcetc. Not just a list of the blog an hour before the stows updated.
james123
Let me buy things from my PC and have them download when i next turn on my PS3
deadwelsh
enable listening to HDD music whilst browsing
Be able to check out browser without having to exit store
Maybe a latest purchases by friends list
previews for all games
better search engine including price brackets
the 1 hour trials like the have on US store
colmshan1990
To be able to see download sizes for everything.
Helps people with download caps, HDD space problems, and PSP owners with our teeny tiny memory sticks.
It can’t be that hard to put X game requires 400mb of space, surely?
Also, make sure that every game lists it’s features accurately.
Whilst most do so, in some cases it isn’t clear whether a game has multiplayer (either on or offline) or not.
After all, if it’s required to put the information on a blu-ray box, it should be required for the PSN.
Number of controllers that can be connected, number of players allowed in one online game, space required, etc.
Origami Killer
one thing that really annoys me is that: i Have automatic funding set to on, when i buy something at £3.99 it adds £5 instead, really annoying! then i have a waste on £1 which all gets added up at the end of the day. Or am can i avoid this and im being stupid
DRCD1
I think the minimum you can add to your account is 5£/5€.
I have never had that problem because I always use PSN Cards, but I’ve got a friend who has the same problem.
colmshan1990
€5 is the minimum amount you can add on with the PSN, which is annoying, alright.
I don’t know if fees come in for Sony, but I don’t think that there should be a minimum threshold for wallet top-ups at all.
If I want to buy one rockband song, why should I spend €5?
Origami Killer
yeah its really annoying, why can’t it just take the desired amount out, not a bloody fiver,
fattyuk
This has changed I think, as I can remember I used to be able to click on the purchase now and only get charged for that amount! Although it’s very rare I only spend less than £5 it does come in handy when I buy something else and forget that I’ve got a few quid in there that’s always a bonus lol
colmshan1990
You can spend the exact amount if it’s over €5, but not below.
I know it’s not much, but it can be an inconvenience.
The Lone Steven
Tidy up the store and get rid off some catergories whislt replacing them with some new and suitable ones. E.g. All games could be spilt into PS1 games and PS3 games on the front page. A working search function as it barely works. According to it, Batman had no DLC for it and doesn’t exist. Either improve the you may also like or get rid off it as that is most of the time full of random games/DLC.
If possible trials for all games that are released on the store. A coming soon section. Change the colour of the font as some backgrounds do make it near impossible to read. Also allow the user to select a colour for the UI as blue can get a tad bit boring after 5 years.;) If games are not region locked then add an export option to the store where you can get a game from the other stores but can still use your EU account. And finally speed up the loading proccess. I keep thinking my PS3 has crashed everytime i load up the store.
Sympozium
A new console.
Meaning better store :D
I’d go for pictures and videos too since it saves me going to Youtube
SYY2127
Like everyone has been saying. Organization and making it easier to access information on games would help us find what we want and compel us to purchase them
boschbourne06
one way i would spend more is if sony unblocked my account from downloading from the store.Ive never given my account out but have had my fair share of PS3s from them breaking to which made me go over the 5 console for 1 account to download on so ive lost money on it as i cant deactivate my other account as i cant access them.
stonyk
They should sell a package that gives you decent file structure. I have about 200g of photos/music/videos/games that are a nightmare to sort through. I’d definitely pay for that.