Remodeled PlayStation Store opens doors

Sony's new, non-browser-based console bazaar launches via system update 2.30 for the PlayStation 3.

On the last day of last month, Sony announced it was releasing a new version of its PlayStation Store in "mid-April." The PlayStation 3's answer to Xbox Live Marketplace and the Wii Shop Channel, the service had been the subject of some criticism. One of the primary sticking points was its use of a slower, Web-browser-based interface versus its competitors' native applications.

Sony listened to its fans, and today launched a new version of the PlayStation Store based on new, in-console software in time for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue's launch on Thursday. As one might expect, getting said software will require downloading a new firmware update for the console, v2.30. As previously announced, the update will also add stereophile-grade DTS-HD audio.

Besides faster browsing, the new version of the PlayStation Store also reorganizes the content on the service into eight sections: new releases, downloadable games, view all by title, add-ons, demos, videos, featured items, and themes & wallpapers. The 900-plus pieces of content on the store have also been reorganized for easier access, as outlined in a video walk-through on the official PlayStation Blog.

To date, some 3.6 million PlayStation Store account holders have downloaded 66 million pieces of content from the PlayStation Store. The massive numbers come despite the fact the service is still largely bereft of the massive amount of music, movie, and television content produced by Sony Computer Entertainment corporate siblings Sony BMG and Sony Pictures Entertainment. While the Wii Shop Channel does not offer non-game-related video content, Xbox Live Marketplace has a fairly wide selection of television shows and films, including some from Sony-owned movie studio MGM.

107 Comments

  • ctg867

    Posted Apr 18, 2008 7:50 pm PT

    The new PS Store is really impressive, it's just as good, if not better then Marketplace. I have no trouble finding any new themes or wallpapers, and all my new content is easy and fast to get to as well. And that's saying a lot, given that I have DSL, lol. Really though, I'm very happy with the store. For those who haven't picked up the Sixaxis in a while, this deserves a going back to.

    There's also a bunch of new content up, including GT5 Prologue, the new Warhawk DLC, all the Rock Band songs, new content for Super Stardust HD, the new Lair update/DLC, and a number of demos, trailers, and free themes and wallpapers.

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 11:59 pm PT

    the new PSN sotre is much better and easier to use. but the icons fotr the game selections do take a while to load. But it could just be that many people are using it.

    but it does look great and is much better to use which is what counts.

  • darkride66

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 8:28 pm PT

    For everyone that's been asking about it, I understand that PSN cards are just now being shipped to retail (a couple of news articles off N4G mentioned this.) Doesn't look like gamespot has caught this one yet.

  • Agermemnon

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 11:55 am PT

    Well it took them two weeks and for all the icons to load up is about the same lol also the EU firmware update as far as i could see didn't include the DTS-HD ?

  • Leongr

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 11:18 am PT

    its awful!!!After i downloaded the new firmware 2.30 i cant log in to ps store, it gives me an error (80023101)! Ive tried to restart the system multiple times, to restart my router, to delete some saved data, to change language and resolution, nothing helped! Now it's impossible to log in to my account...i'm wrecked(

  • jasonbarbour

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 10:31 am PT

    PACOL250 "What would be nice if PSN actually sold the PSN Store cards that were essentially gift cards for your PSN Store wallet. I have yet to see them anywhere."

    YES PLEAS, especially with that security breakthrough earlier this year, i would much rather pay for a card in a brick and mortar store than chance giving my credit card over the PSN, this would definitely boost sales 10X (so far i have no paid for anything on psn, but ghaving the opportunity to pay cash at a store rather than put my credit card online would improve sony's chances of snagging a little more of my cash)

  • AJ-2K7

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 10:04 am PT

    not a bad job on the new store cos browsing is a lot easier with the new categories and its very simple to use. im not to bothered about the icons but there not as fast as on the walkthrough video

  • dadoesch

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 9:07 am PT

    Much nicer layout, though I'm having problems with the icons loading as well. Hope they can fix that.

  • JamesSoprano

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 8:57 am PT

    I like this new store .. soo what the images don't load fast .. just click on it and more likely to get a image right away on the new page for the item you clicked on and with the information and possibly a video to show off the content. and it has alot of items into one page then before ... for the people still complaining especially about the image loads ... can never be happy they always want to whine about something. i think Sony did a excellent job on the new store

  • SemiMaster

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 8:50 am PT

    Too bad as of last night the Icons never showed up...

  • stanleyCG1_2

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 7:06 am PT

    it has a better layout, but still not that brilliant to be honest, and the icons take so long to load it isn't funny. I don't own a 360 anymore but the Xbox live dashboard integration/navigation is still better.

  • dmish82

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 6:01 am PT

    Well, aside from icons loading slow (prolly all the opening day traffic), I am very pleased with the new look. Much easier to navigate and THANK YOU for finally letting the Circle button take us back a page instead of exiting the store completely.

  • crazedcoi

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 5:58 am PT

    What a great upgrade to psStore - Easier to navigate and generally all round better . If I know what I want im in and out in seconds , the old interface took ages , Well done sony for listening to us ...

  • 02sfraser

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 5:42 am PT

    i really like the new store layout. its much easier to use

  • AZisBack

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 11:53 pm PT

    The new store is so much better than the old store. I have a pretty big TV so I didn't notice the font issue but I'm sure it would be a pain tor try and read on a small tv not using component cables. I do think Sony needs to hurry up and get the PSN cards out because both of my bank cards don't work.

  • barekone

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 8:55 pm PT

    Nice, Very Nice!!!

  • PseudoFinrod

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 8:49 pm PT

    I checked out the updated store earlier.
    It's hard as hell to read the text!
    They need to have an option to make it bigger...

  • Sam_Kelly

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 7:26 pm PT

    Oh boy!!! The revamped design of PlayStation Store is so much more accessible, prettier, more organised! Yea, the icons/avatars take a bit long to load but at least one is able to maneuver around the store much quicker. And yes, let's spend real dollar at the store; the use of points is old-fashioned.

  • PacoL250

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 6:59 pm PT

    @Serious: It's called simple math to figure out the point to dollar equivalents on XBL. If I'm correct, these conversions to US dollars are accurate:

    100 MS Points = $1.25
    500 MS Points = $6.25
    1000 MS Points = $12.50
    2000 MS Points = $25.00
    5000 MS Points = $62.50

    What's funny is that when stuff is released on PSN and XBL, the prices relatively equivalent on both.

    What would be nice if PSN actually sold the PSN Store cards that were essentially gift cards for your PSN Store wallet. I have yet to see them anywhere.

    I haven't seen the new PSN Store yet, but it seems to be good.

  • jfrdricks63

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 6:26 pm PT

    Only caveat that I can tell is you need a component cable if you dont have an HD TV. The font is really difficult to see on a standard def 480p TV

  • lew_0911

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 6:08 pm PT

    ooh, snazzy.

  • Serious

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 5:04 pm PT

    What I like most about these changes is that it didn't cost me a thing! The ability to download movies and for the launch of Home would be great but I don't want to rush anything and have tons of headaches later. These things are cool but its the games that I truly love. Oh and ScreamDream are you kidding?!? Points? don't you know points are a rip off. with points you don't know exactly how much you are paying for something. I like using real cash. cause telling me that a game is worth 5000 points isn't the same as saying its $9.99. With actual money I can budget better. So please Sony stick with dollars and avoid a point system.

  • Proust

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:26 pm PT

    I'm very please with how things have been going with my PS3. Very please.

  • ScreamDream

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:05 pm PT

    This is great, now all we need are a Sony Points card so more can buy online.

  • legend133

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 3:36 pm PT

    maybe it's because everyone is looking at the "new" look store, but icon load way too slooooooooooow. but it does look nice.

  • speedjunkie4

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 3:33 pm PT

    Just my opinion, i like the old store a bit better. But the new one is cool.

  • N00bl3t15

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 3:30 pm PT

    I have to say, the update is much cleaner looking and easier to navigate, but I can definitely see the xbox live influence. Better that than the old browser-like interface though.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 3:29 pm PT

    Just took a look at it, and it looks alot better

  • jasonr

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 3:28 pm PT

    An updated store is nice. They better step it up and start adding more content on par with XBLM though (Movie rentals, TV episodes, more demos etc.).

    PS: When the frack is HOME? I'm beginning to smell the pungent aroma of vaporware. Come on Sony, show us you're serious about online.

  • zaz_fan

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 3:15 pm PT

    Europe store is a mess. why couldn't they have kept it same as US store?

  • CharmedGamer

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 3:05 pm PT

    I wasn't demanding Home, I just said it would be cool once it gets here coupled with the new store. The entire system will have a perfect feel to it.

  • EPaul

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:58 pm PT

    It's so much better now

  • ocdog45

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:54 pm PT

    takes forever to load the pics icons. whats that about?

  • runstalker

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:48 pm PT

    They said next update they'll improve caching of store art/icons. Besides those little hiccups, it's a good design improvement.

  • AranJatt

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:44 pm PT

    its good but i find it dont load all content pictures and stuff and feels empty, great design tho.

  • jbot666

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:39 pm PT

    yahoo!

  • Lepuke

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:33 pm PT

    Nice work, but we still need custom soundtracks...

  • GrimGravy

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:27 pm PT

    hope it is good

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:24 pm PT

    This is good news... I HATED the PS Store.

  • NWA_31

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:21 pm PT

    Nice...

  • Shmoe82

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:20 pm PT

    Thanks sony for changing the store. Any upgrades would be appreciated.

  • jasonbarbour

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:14 pm PT

    great organization, but i could use faster loading of icons etc. also some more content would spruce things up. movie rentals/purchases etc any time now please.....(we will PAY you for these services...)

  • mgirllovescats

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:11 pm PT

    The Playstation Store looks great!

  • fivex84

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:05 pm PT

    Downloading now.

  • LittleYoshi

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:05 pm PT

    The PlayStation Store FTW!!!!

  • OPOLO

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:03 pm PT

    The navigation is nice, but watching & waiting for icons to load is still crazy.

  • GodOfSyn

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:01 pm PT

    Super fast browser and super audio, god I love my PS3!!!!

  • ShadoweaverCode posted Apr 15, 2008 2:01 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    ShadoweaverCode

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 2:01 pm PT (hide)

    Anyone else notice the coincidence that the PS3 version of GTA4 is at the top of the "Today's #1 Game", meanwhile a plethora of GT5 ads are running on Gamespot. Just flash some money around and GS will do anything regardless of actual statistics. Reminds me of the Gerstmann incident. Uugh.

  • mad_tyger

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 1:52 pm PT

    Pure Awesomeness!

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