Sony launches PSN Qore service

  • By rambo_ando, GameSpot
  • Posted Jun 3, 2008 7:26 am PT

Over on its official blog, Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced that a new paid-subscription service called Qore is coming to the PlayStation Network. Pronounced "core" and dubbed by the hardware vendor as "a highly interactive, monthly lifestyle gaming program," the high-definition...

Over on its official blog, Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced that a new paid-subscription service called Qore is coming to the PlayStation Network. Pronounced "core" and dubbed by the hardware vendor as "a highly interactive, monthly lifestyle gaming program," the high-definition service will roll out in monthly installments.

Qore logoAccording to Susan Panico, PlayStation Network's senior director, the service will include "news, developer interviews, in-depth game previews, and behind-the-scenes looks at PlayStation games, and special access to game demos...beta invitations, game add-ons, and other downloadable game-related content," with the first episode due out this Thursday. Sony says that Qore is only the first part of its exclusive, original programming planned for the PSN.

US PlayStation 3 owners can download each episode through the PlayStation Store in the same manner as other downloadable content. The service will have an introductory price of $2.99 per episode, or $24.99 for the 13-episode annual subscription. Users who opt for the annual package will be able to download the first episode, and subsequent episodes will automatically appear in the download list when available.

The first episode will look at the upcoming SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Confrontation, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Secret Agent Clank, Soul Calibur 4, and Afro Samurai. It will also include Blu-ray trailers, a Confrontation PS3 theme, and various other components including an invite to the Confrontation beta.

It remains to be seen if Qore will make its way to other territories. A spokesperson for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe told GameSpot UK that, "SCEE are constantly looking at ways in which we can offer the best digital content to PS3 owners and PSN subscribers."

218 Comments

  • ColonelGuile

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 11:15 am PT

    I downloaded the first one and was impressed. But I just wanted the SOCOM Confrontation info... too bad the BETA isn't available yet. Why bother putting it in in the first place?

    I would like to know what is in these things first before downloading. For $3, I will glady give up a Tom Wahls cheese burger or Arby's Melt...

  • Mizarc

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 4:12 am PT

    qore is great

  • PAUL_AWOL

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 5:56 pm PT

    I hope this isn't another scam to get money.. Some of my clan signed up for it and there isn't crapola on it. I wish I could get the Socom beta that would be tight..

  • Imagine09

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 1:04 pm PT

    I might buy the first couple episodes to see if it really will give u info u cant just look up and read on the internet. but it looks like the same stuff u can get on On Demand or G4

  • Mizarc

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 10:07 pm PT

    its simple fellas. if u dont want qore, dont buy it. no need to get upset. i honestly dont think its that expensive at all, plus u get the added benefit of watching all the media on your high def tv's. i think it will b a good service. u already bought a ps3, u might as well take advantage of everything it has to offer. SUPPORT SONY so we can get even better games and service!

  • feryl06

    Posted Jun 6, 2008 5:13 am PT

    deos this mean that sony won't be releasing these demos for free on the PSN store for those who don't suscribe? cause why sign up when you can read about these interviews, stories about ps3 games for free on sites like GS, IGN, etc...

  • Ruggeri1994

    Posted Jun 5, 2008 7:37 pm PT

    wow the socom beta untill the release in september is worth 2.99

  • donalbane

    Posted Jun 5, 2008 5:06 pm PT

    when is it going to be available for download? I keep checking, and... nothin'. I want to see it so I can get busy praising or bemoaning it, accordingly.

  • akiwak

    Posted Jun 5, 2008 12:41 pm PT

    It's funny to see everybody on here overreacting to this. Judge the service once it is available. Don't knock it until you try it. You don't know what you might be missing.

  • itwiz90

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 5:26 pm PT

    Shelling out the exrta bucks. I don't think so. The games alone are just within my budget.

  • LURCH87

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 4:12 pm PT

    cool, but not convinced.

  • blackace

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 3:35 pm PT

    Well, it does make sense, but it'w like a online magazine. It's just like Underground was on DVD disc several years back. I liked it better when it came in the OPM though. Why anyone would pay for this is beyond me. Sony is just trying to make additional money so they can keep PSN going for FREE.

  • OhhSnap50893

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 3:13 pm PT

    Why is everyone getting bent out of shape about this? It's like subscribing to an online magazine. I don't even own a PS3, but it makes sense.

  • darkride66

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 3:03 pm PT

    rasterror "darkride66 You're joking right? I know Sony offers the PSN for free but how great is it? The bandwidth is slow and clunky and it also saps everything from your network."
    Nope. No joke. I've been gaming lagfree on my PS3 since last summer. I've experienced almost zero lag. XMB is excellent, the revamped sony store is better, imo, then MS's service. I never had any problems with lag on XBL either, but I also find the crowd to be more mature on the PSN than the 12 year old racists that populate games like Halo 3.
    I don't miss XBL at all. I never used the cross game chat, but hey, that's coming on the firmware update in the next couple of weeks. I'd have to say PSN's network is an update away from being a superior service, and for free, no less.

  • 09231991

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 2:23 pm PT

    Well Sony, the costs are catching up aren't they? Now they are starting to realize that the costs are starting to drain them and need to start charging for other things to make the money. But, we all know that its inevitable that Sony will HAVE to start charging for PSN. Its not easy to run an online service such as that and the fact that the costs are piling up more and more with all the new things they are adding means that its getting closer and closer until they start asking for a payment. The sooner that people who own a PS3 cope with that fact, the easier it'll be when it happens, Just saying.

  • rasterror

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 2:07 pm PT

    darkride66 You're joking right? I know Sony offers the PSN for free but how great is it? The bandwidth is slow and clunky and it also saps everything from your network. Interface is getting better, but better than what. It's like saying A Ford Focus is better than a Hyundai Excell. Sure it's better but they both suck. Voice chat? In-game media functions. Now they want you to pay have of a Live year membership for less than have of a month of Live service?

  • darkride66

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 1:57 pm PT

    rasterror said "If you're going to imitate something at least come up with something original or have a better deal."
    They did. It's called buy a game for $60, and play 100% of that game without any additional fees. That's better than pay $60 for a game, then pay us $5 every month if you want to play all of the game's content.

  • darkride66

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 1:54 pm PT

    sierra118 said "This same stuff is free on XBL, even silver members get this stuff, FOR FREE! I can't believe what I am seeing, is Sony serious ???"
    XBL silver members receive demos a week after gold members, this is no different. And wait, there's free stuff on XBL? I haven't used it since I downgraded to Silver last fall, but I seem to remember not seeing a lot of freebies. Just game trailers and demos which never interested me.

  • rasterror

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 1:52 pm PT

    Instead of $25 for a year of access you buy a total of 13 episodes? XBL offers all of this stuff on a daily basis for only twice the price and the service is a lot better than PSN. If you're going to imitate something at least come up with something original or have a better deal. Sony just keeps getting smarter and smarter.

  • vgpfreak

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 1:51 pm PT

    how bout voice chat durring games or being able to see my friends list when did sony stop listening to there customers my ps3 collects dust as my 360 and wii rock on

  • FallenOneX

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 12:36 pm PT

    Just remember, it's not a membership. That way, you can keep believing that a gold membership on XBL is soo stupid. Sony may not charge like MS does, but they're going to get their money from you online somehow, same as Nintendo.

  • sierra118

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 11:48 am PT

    This same stuff is free on XBL, even silver members get this stuff, FOR FREE! I can't believe what I am seeing, is Sony serious ???

  • blackace

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 11:47 am PT

    I'm going to tell you guys EXACTLY what this is and then you can tell me if I'm right or wrong. How many of you remember Sony's Underground DVD subscription? Remember it came in a fold out case and had a big "U" on the front for Underground. You paid $24.99 a year for it and you got demos, interviews, behind the screen "making of", news, video reviews, downloadable content, etc.... Well, this is basically the same thing. Only you'll get the information on your PS3 in a download. . With OPM no more - http://www.digitalbattle.com/2006/11/15/official-playstation-magazine-cancelled/ , Sony had to do something to get this content to the gamers and "Qore" is their answer. I believe "Qore" is short for "hardcore", as this is squarely aimed at the "hardcore" PS3 gamers who much know everything. Ok, now you can tell me if I'm right or wrong. ******************************************************************
    @woofie13 this better not replace anything that we're supposed to get for free.
    --------------------------------
    I'm sure this is to help pay for the FREE PSN service. Sony is probably starting to feel the pinch of having to pay for what their gamers do not. If they don't get a lot of subcribers for this service, you can bet they will start charging a FEE for PSN online in the future. Don't be surprised if you end up having to pay for "HOME" as well.

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 10:43 am PT

    normsta

    Interresting i say it should just be free and it will make the psn store alot more interactive. i might buy the first one to see.

    @puppiemaster

    You won't have to pay for PSN, this article is talking about the players having to pay to watch a show.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    You need to actually read posts before commenting on them.

  • TripSe7en

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 10:39 am PT

    So basically I would be paying for information that I can find on the internet for free? I mean come on $ony.... If you are going to offer some kind of Half-ass service like that, you should really make it free....

  • akiwak

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 10:16 am PT

    This service is to target people who like to get Magazines and hear about the latest games and be part of betas or get ADDITIONAL demos. Yes you can get most of the information for FREE online so how come Magazines no matter the publication are still sold? Magazines I'll never subscribe to I go to the stores with newstands and read them for Free. This not really my cup of tea but might get it.

  • CBass217

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 9:32 am PT

    So it would be like paying for G4 tv??...which I already get on standard cable?? This is pretty lame..no thanks

  • darkride66

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 6:46 am PT

    carlandbecca "Watch & see. This is heading the same direction as Sony's stance on b/c."
    Where have you been? The rumor is BC is slated for the October firmware release to coincide with Sony starting to offer PS2 games as downloads. They managed to keep their online free all last gen, the doomsayers that claim Sony will have no choice but to charge for online play are mislead. They can more than make enough with their microtransactions, and the onus is on the individual companies to back up their games with servers, as it should be. I said before, you want my $60 for a game the least you can do is set up servers for online play.

  • carlandbecca

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 6:10 am PT

    Watch & see. This is heading the same direction as Sony's stance on b/c ... 1st it's all important & they can't imagine a new console that's not fully b/c, then when the fiscal reality sets in they d/c it without a second thought & act like anybody who claims to care about it is a nostalgia-loving emo idiot. The fact is that as Sony gains ground in install base, their overhead for PSN & online gaming will increase too. If you think ANY company is going to continue to provide an expensive (for them) & valuable (to us) service for free forever, you must have never heard of capitalism. I enjoy all 3 consoles, but I don't expect to be playing online for free very much longer.

  • razgriz_101

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 5:28 am PT

    as long as playing online is still free then im a happy camper.if i can get most of the info on gamespot or IGN then its all good.All your payin for is access to a demo a few days before release on PS store and a few beta tests which i dont really like participating in somehow i always feel like it spoils the game before i get it.

  • Yoshi286

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 4:58 am PT

    waste of money, the Internet is free, well kinda.

  • Blazer88

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 4:10 am PT

    You would have to pretty dumb to pay for this. Here's a hint on what this is, its basically paying Sony to tell you how great there stuff is or going to be, If you can;t figure out why thats dumb, you need help and lots ot it.

  • joolsonline

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 4:04 am PT

    Slowly more and more content and networking is being created for PS3. I love the free content. I wonder if Sony PS3 Home will be a lot better than Second Life, which seem to just be geared at dating.

  • LordelX

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 2:05 am PT

    Say what? Sony is going to compete with Gamespot, Gametrailers and Giant Bomb then charge money for it? Ha ha ha...At least my subscription to Nintendo Power got me a free game and something to read on the toilet. This service should be only $9.99 a year, but I guess it's their answer to Xbox Live. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out.

  • XPiTcHXBLaCKX

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 1:45 am PT

    I seriously don't understand why everyone is comparing to the XBL Service, the online gaming free. That is what matters hands down. Although Xbox users tend to say XBL is "optional" when in fact, if you don't pay for it you pretty much don't play online.

  • CageFury

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 1:17 am PT

    At first this was turning out to be a great idea. Another way to dick around on your PS3 w/o actually playing games, w/e not bad. If this was free I would've been completely sold (heh, ironic).

    Just to be clear, since some people don't seem to understand this... THIS IS NOT REPLACING PSN OR ITS FREE CONTENT! There will still be free demos/videos, etc.. This service is in ADDITION to that content. It's just PSN's version of PREMIUM content. There will still be planty of free stuff and, of course, free online gaming.

  • Tsuyo_Puyo

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 1:07 am PT

    bleh if i want game news and trailers i can go surf the internetz. well at least online gaming and a buncha other stuff on the psn is free. after this year, i think sony might really catch up to the 360. 360 has no more awesome exclusive titles left except for gow 2. ps3 fans can still look forward to msg4, killzone 2, resistance 2, final fantasy 13, final fantasy 13 versus, little big planet, socom confrontation, gran turismo 5, white knight story, disgaea 3...

  • skullduggery368

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 12:19 am PT

    Sony, get a clue. One of the best friggen things bout PS3s is that onlines free. whats the point of starting something free then turning it inot something you must pay for. Its not gonna make people buy it, just avoid it instead. If i was sony i'd just make Qore free instead

  • SonicTheMonkey

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 11:44 pm PT

    Doesn't sound like a bad deal. If it's good I'm there.

  • woofie13

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 10:53 pm PT

    this better not replace anything that we're supposed to get for free.

  • dmish82

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 10:38 pm PT

    Well, I'll pass on the subscription and stick with my free online play.

  • clawboy

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 10:28 pm PT

    HMMMMMM? I'll have to check it out.

  • Supericano2

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 10:25 pm PT

    oohh boy..........and here it comes

  • PSdual_wielder

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 10:21 pm PT

    So these "episodes" are a package of videos about behind-the-scenes documentaries of various games. Are they exclusive to the PSN only? If so is sony going to do something to ensure they don't get leaked out to the internet or something so it'll be fair to the people who paid to watch those videos?

  • akiwak

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 10:08 pm PT

    Sony is closing the gap even faster and maybe this will help them get there faster. Still I may get but then again maybe not ITS my CHOICE. Can't wait till next week for MGS4 then right after MGO for FREEEEEE!!!!

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 9:15 pm PT

    Sounds alright, it could be good

  • trigun0006

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 9:12 pm PT

    interesting with the socom beta and all, but will they be able to get something in their each month worth the money? my money is on probably not, possibly a resistance 2, killzone 2, little big planet, and home betas now that i really think about it.

  • Odesien

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 9:03 pm PT

    frist off darkride66 nice job with your comment. secondly i'll get this frist episode just because of the beta invitation of socom, lol.

  • darkride66

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 8:45 pm PT

    Yuck_Too said "Say what you like...fact of the matter just became this:
    -If you want everything XBL has to offer it's $50 / year
    -If you want everything the PSN has to offer it now costs you $25 / year."
    Not quite, my friend. If you want to play online, it costs you $50 a year. PSN, free. Not even close to the same thing. I can choose not to pay for Qore and I don't receive exclusive interviews, videos and beta tests. But I can still play the games I purchased without having to pay a subscription fee. Online play isn't something special you should have to pay extra for. It should be standard by now. If a company want's my $60 they had better be prepared to spring for a server at some point. Sony and Nintendo get it.

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