Sony Secretly Testing New “Store” Design

TSA Staff 59 Comments

According to The Register, Sony are secretly testing a new design layout and aesthetic style for their rather dated looking PlayStation Store.

“Sony is now market-testing a new design that de-clutters the screen,” says the site, citing sources that claim the new look is “an aesthetic layout with logically marked sections and rolodex lists”.

Apparently there’s also going to be a new “live search” method that lists results as users type, much like Google.

In terms of the Movie section, expect an “IMDB-style database” with “key details appearing on the right of the screen, such as leading actors”.  These links will take you to the actor’s own page, where you can then go to their other films.

Expect a ‘Deals’ section, brighter colours and an all-round visual revamp.  We’ll reach out to Sony to see if we can get anything more on this.

Tags:

Related stories from TSA

PSN Store Update: 21/08/13 – Saints Row, Puppeteer Demo & Killzone Beta
PS3 Sale Lands On The PS Store Today
You Can Now Top Up Your PSN Wallet From Your Mobile Phone
Sony Shifting PSP Titles At Budget Prices

59 Comments

  1. I remember the last Store redesign… can’t remember what it looked like before that but it must have been BAD.

    • The original PS Store was awful lol. It took forever for anything to load too. Gaah.

    • The last one was just at 2010’s E3 though, when they revealed the Slim? It was really a good change. The “you might like” thing sucks though.

  2. Hmm. I like the current design…

    • so do I.

    • Me too. I find it quite pleasing to the eye & i never have trouble finding anything.

      ‘Don’t fix what aint broke’ comes to mind, but we’ll wait & see how it turns out.

      • The phrase ‘Don’t fix what aint broke’ always amuses me. If we all thought like this, we’d still be playing on a PS1

      • I’d say the ‘suggestions’ bit is pretty broken. I don’t know why it thinks I might like a cutesy playstation mini, based on my looking at Dante’s Inferno DLC.

      • @Flash – I know what you mean, but I guess that the point it that it is fine to innovate, but don’t actually replace until you have shown what the new thing can do.

        To use your example, when we were all playing on PS1’s & the PS2 came out, we could all see what it could do & how it wasn’t fixing what was broken, but was moving things onto the next level for those that wanted to take the plunge.
        What they are suggesting with the new store is not so much an improvement, more of a simple redesign as far as I can tell, with the only innovation being the google-esque searches (which I for one will never use).

        Not that I get any say in these matters of course, but I would just like to see a video or something of how the new store would work/look before they just go & replace the one we already have (which does its job imo).

      • I think ot should be more like “Don’t brake what is fixed”…

      • Actually, the Playstation 1 was getting outdated so it was technically ‘broken’ and needed to be ‘fixed’ which means it needs to be renewed.
        Hey, thats why we still use original Playstation Controller design.

      • Yeah. You should recall that “Don’t fix what ain’t broken” kept the original gamepad design instead of that terrible boomerang controller…

    • Me three.

      MS keep redesigning the Xbox dash and taking it one step forward two steps back.

      I hope Sony don’t go for style over functionality, the slickness and speed of the PS3 from the XMB to the store is what I love about it. I’m encouraged by the comment that it is less clutter. Less is good.

  3. In terms of the Movie section, expect an “IMDB-style datanase”

    Oooh! I love datanases, they are my fav! ;)

    • its dataNOSE! and i have the feeling you only pretend you didn’t know that!

  4. Would like it to be XMB-ish, but it sounds like it will be more bloated

    The search as you type is desperately needed though

    Not sure about the database, but I suppose it will link in with Sony’s presence elswhere and they need to do something to try and compete with Apple and the much rumoured Google Video

    • Improving the actual search engine would be a start – let alone instant search…

      • There is no search engine option I hate more than search as you type, which by it’s very nature actually slows you down unless your internet connection is very quick, because it’s constantly searching.

  5. Always love new stuff :)

  6. Removing the nonsensical practice of putting white text on a bright background would be a good start. Whenever they reskin the Store to promote something it’s always pot-luck if the bloody thing is actually readable.

    • agreed, there are plenty of ‘standards’ available that take into account accessibility, it always surprises me when stuff that is pretty much unreadable due to design decisions makes it onto something like the store, its not like there are no charities out there that are more than willing to help companies get it as right as possible for customers with disabilities of one sort or another.

    • I think they may have read your comment. “Binning the PS Store’s current blue skin, in favour of bright colours on a black background.” http://www.computerandvideogames.com/310349/news/new-psn-will-be-more-like-xbox-live-steam-report/

  7. They have made quite a few minor changes to the store since leaving the horrible website version.

    I guess we can’t judge if this change is for the better until seeing it.

  8. “Apparently there’s also going to be a new “live search” method that lists results as users type, much like Google.” Sounds great for those of us with very questionable internet speeds in the evenings… :|

  9. The home screen of the store does look cluttered with all kinds of banners switching between different offers. Too much information crammed in a little space.
    I would love some kind of XMB referenced design. Love the sleekness of the XMB.

  10. I think the current stores, EU, JP and US are a mess. Too many options, boxes and inconsistencies throughout the different zones. The new store needs to be simpler and bolder. While i’m there, the XMB needs to be ditched in favour of the PSVITA style bubbles.

    • NOO the XMB is great. The psv bubbles is something i can understand as it’s probably easier to navigate with the touch.

    • No way. I love the XMB. I think the bubbles look horrible and tacky.

      • Strongly agree. I would much prefer the VITA to have an XMB menu

      • The XMB is the God of User Interfaces, I hope Sony keep it forever!

      • forever and ever….

    • I do like the XMB as it is although i would be interested in a future redesign which could be navigated in 3D using Move, or something customisable along the lines of the Move ‘minorty report’-styled tech demo which was, for me at least, one of the most promising Move demos shown.

Comments are now closed for this post.