Adding SingStar to the PS3’s XMB was a genius move. But we’ll come back to that.
Yesterday, when the latest firmware revision rolled around, people excitedly jumped onboard and updated their PlayStation 3s, largely blissfully unaware that their XMB, the user interface at the heart of the console, would be invaded, corrupted and systematically destroyed by an icon. It was, if you believe everything you read on the internet, a disaster for Sony.
Up in arms, the PlayStation faithful claimed conspiracy, SingStar’s content manager went on a PR-ruining rampage and, incredibly, decisions were made over some gamers’ choice of next generation console. Because of this icon, you can surmise, whatever Sony were to bring out next (let’s assume for obvious reasons it’s the PlayStation 4) it wouldn’t sell, because they wouldn’t buy it.
Ludicrous, right?
Well, that depends. Whilst there were (literally) hundreds and thousands of comments on the official channels that hated the presence of the new icon – which was, in case you’ve been asleep for two days, for family friendly singing game SingStar – there was something approaching an element of reasoning behind the rather barbed (and frankly ridiculous) complaints.
A reasoning that needs just one extra factor to make it hold any sense: the icon should be deletable. If it was, all the issues with people shouting that it “shouldn’t be in the Game menu” or that it’s “on top of all my other games” would be moot – it could just be hidden, or even moved into another folder out of the way. But it can’t – it’s fixed there, and that’s what the issue is.
There’s literally no need for Sony to lock users into having the icon (and its accompanying background screen) right at the top of the other games you might have downloaded – that’s just silly. It’s not that it’s automatically part of the XMB, that in itself would be fine if it could be moved – it’s simply the fact that it’s another click down to get to your games, or it’s something you need to skip past if you’re embarrassed to have a singing game on your console.
Wait, what?
Yep, I’ve seen it. We live in a world where everything has to be instant and everything has to conform to our own ideals. Of course, everyone hates change, but if that change can’t be moulded into something more akin to our current preferences, we rebel. In the age of the internet, this means voicing our opinions everywhere, and those opinions spread.
They’re not entirely invalid, as I’ve said, but complaining about having to tap down twice to get past it should really have been levelled at the fact that Trophies are now way over to the right – getting to those in a game takes more effort than dodging SingStar.
[drop2]But, and here’s where we come back to the statement at the start: SingStar represents Sony’s push for the casual market at this twilight stage of the PS3’s life – much as it did with the PS2. It’s the casual, family market that’ll now continue the sales of the console, something that’s evidenced by the massive attention the platform holder is giving to Wonderbook.The PS3 is no longer just about the core gamer, the priorities are shifting.
To a family, seeing that icon on the XMB won’t be a thing of disgust or disdain, it’ll be a curio, that’s clicked and explored. It’ll open up something that they might not have discovered before, and, coupled with the new option to sing via a PlayStation Eye (a device bundled with the equally casual friendly Move) they can jump in and start singing immediately. Playing. Clever, right?
And SingStar is a brilliant game, easily the most refined in the genre and boasting some pretty good tracks. My own circumstances mean it’s seldom used these days, but we, as a family and with friends, spent many a night blasting out the hits until the wee hours, and Sony are now hoping to attract a new group of people that won’t know the game exists.
That, clearly, is genius.
You might not like the icon, and chances are Sony will backtrack in a future update and let you remove it for good, but whilst it’s true that its placement could have been tweaked (at least once loaded) or even hidden, if it means more people get involved and the market for potential future games increases, surely that’s a good thing?
Me? I’m now indifferent. Although I’ve slept on it.
mcphatty
Great article. I don’t like it, it’s not for me, hat upsets me most is the possibility of more rubbish I don’t want appearing prominently at the top of my games list, what I want is a game of my choosing appearing whenever I turn the console on not what the marketing department think I should see.
matthangzhou
I really didn’t get the fuss about it until I updated my ps3 last night. I believe most gamers are quite OCD and the option not to be able to hide it away from the rest is very intrusive. All my beautiful folders…ruined!
Death_In_Flamez
Urmm….is it bad of me to say that the Singstar icon doesn’t bother me that much? Forrest I suggest you boot up your PS3 if you turned it off? :P I was smug like you for all of 5 minutes then turned my PS3 on to find it there
Forrest_01
I did update it last night & it wasn’t there when i updated, but perhaps it has now appeared via overnight ninja delivery. :)
Won’t bother me either way though tbh. It’ll just be another thing i ignore like lovefilm & netflix.
Bilbo_bobbins
Yes i didn’t have it after updating either. Perhaps I flicked past it without noticing?
Forrest_01
Yep – Still wasn’t there when i logged in last night. I feel strangely hard done by, but yet somewhat relieved at the same time!
It’s a bit like farting & burping at the same time – It feels bizarre, but theres something strangely pleasant about it too.
SpikeyMikey23
doesn’t bother me in the slightest. As long as it doesnt affect me playing a game then fine
freezebug2
When navigating past the new Singstar icon to get to your HDD games on XMB it takes a few seconds. When you insert a game disc into the PS3 it takes up to 30 seconds for the disc icon to show up on screen before you can click on it.
What planet are some of these people living on suggesting that it’ll add time to get at their games *Facepalm*
Not really a biggie for me with the new Singstar icon sitting on the XMB, wish it could have been Rocksmith instead…. although a family of “Slashes” taking turns passing the guitar round somehow doesn’t ring true :P
fattyuk
I’m sure with some time and counselling people will be able to get over the shock and disrespct sony have shown with this icon o_o
Torquemada
I wont be getting a PS4. Yesterday reminded me of the poor customer service I received over the YLOD. Im sick of the delays in Europe, I dont want to buy a console that packs up a year and a week after purchase (yes, Im not kidding), and I dont want to be force fed any game by any company. So long Sony, and thanks for all the fish
FBZ1501
I don’t like the new sing star icon and it should be moveable or even just naturally drop down your game list until you play it.
I do like the fact the trophies are online now so if you have more than one PS3 you can see the whole lot. However it is slow, but the. The whole xmb and store is slow, regardless of my quick Internet connection.
I think they are just limited with the PS3 and its design so can’t speed up the xmb or store much.
As for people not wanting a Sony as their next console, it seems over the top but then it’s just another gaff by SCEE, what with delays and pricing and a lack of communication, SCEE don’t seem to have improved at all.
The thought of being an early adopter on a PS4, only to find the same issues are their is what puts me off. However that’s a long way off.
I just wish Sony were quicker on developing the PS3 and Vita FW updates and store improvements. The fact it’s taken nearly a year to see your Vita trophies on your PS3 is hardly encouraging, maybe the Vita will be seemless with the PS4 but until then chug along with he PS3?
I wonder how SCEE will address this bad press or if they are even that bothered?
ABlokeCalledDaz
firstworldproblems.jpg fits in about here.
So much hurt on the internet over nothing.
cam_manutd
Interesting seeing the largely negative reactions. I think it has been blown way out of proportion because it’s an icon though Nina and those comments sure went down well. Im all for free to play and ive never touched singstar before but it gives me the chance to. Sony have made far worse mistakes; psn outage, late trophies and late meaty content. I think basing this decision on choice for a next gen console is pathetic and laughable.
Forrest_01
“Sony have made far worse mistakes; psn outage, late trophies and late meaty content”
Note: Sony should not be relied upon for a decent steak.