Today we are announcing that Qore: Presented by the PLAYSTATION Network, a highly interactive, monthly lifestyle gaming program covering the world inside PLAYSTATION is on its way to PS3. Qore has been developed to give PS3 users early access to game related content at a level of quality, interactivity and depth. Everything is filmed in HD. Qore will feature exclusive news, developer interviews, in-depth game previews and behind-the-scenes looks at PlayStation games and special access to game demos, special beta invitations, game add-ons and other downloadable game-related content.
Our premier episode will be available on Thursday, June 5. The premier episode includes in-depth exclusive and never-before released content on upcoming PlayStation titles such as SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Secret Agent Clank, Soul Calibur 4 and Afro Samurai, as well as the latest Blu-ray Disc trailers, an exclusive SOCOM: Confrontation theme with an invitation to the SOCOM: Confrontation beta, art galleries and other surprises. We also know that many of you are big fans of Veronica Belmont, the widely-known host of numerous online video programs and podcasts and an avid gamer, so we’ve chosen her to be your host.
To get Qore, simply log onto PSN and go to the PLAYSTATION Store, as you would purchase any other form of downloadable content. Once the single Episode or annual subscription is purchased, that month’s episode will be downloaded under the “Game” heading on the Cross Media Bar (XMB). Users who purchase the “Qore Annual Subscription” will notice only that month’s episode is available to download. The following month, the new episode will automatically appear in your download list. The introductory price for Qore is $2.99 for a single episode and $24.99 for an annual subscription of 13 episodes, using your PLAYSTATION Network wallet.
As Peter Dille mentioned in a previous PLAYSTATION Network post, the broader service and community initiatives launching on the PLAYSTATION Network this year such as Qore, PlayStation Home and the Video Download Service are all evidence of our dedication to delivering an all-encompassing entertainment experience for PS fans. Qore is the first in a series of planned original programming specifically created for the PLAYSTATION Network community and we hope you enjoy it.
@296 Same point still applies, no one in their right mind pays 5.99 for every issue. At most, you grudgingly buy one then get a sub for $10-$15. (Also, PSM -a great mag-died and was reincarnated as the new “no quality” OPM but that’s besides the point)
Also, it’s not a real TV show, you only need a handful of people to make it work- the cost to produce is still a mere fraction of a paper magazine. And it even has ads… this is ludicrous.
OK it says in the description part of the service is, “special access to game demos”. In one of the comments you replied to you say “If you purchase Qore, you will have access to exclusive content that would not be available otherwise – it does not impact the availability of the great content found on PSN” Apologies but I don’t understand. Seems to be a contradiction. Currently we get demos on PSN. Exclusive demos to me means subscribers get certain demos that non subscribers won’t . Therefore taking something away from PSN. As i assume up to now you have been releasing finished demos as and when they become ready. Forgive me if I’m completely wrong. Seems like a decent service to look forward each month, and if it does come to Europe I would purchase the subscription. But I would hate to see non subscribers miss out on certain demos. I am also a subscriber of Xbox Live Gold, which I am perfectly happy paying for, but as part of that MS say we get demos exclusive for a week. Meaning silver members wait a week longer to try a demo. Which to me is wrong. Everyone should get access to them at the same time.
what’s the status on PSN cards?? I’d like to get in on this,but without psn cards i can’t
Okay, so what we know:
Once a month
One to two hours
Navigate at will
Supposedly does not impact the availability of content found on PSN
Exclusive stuff
Lingering questions:
Available for Europe? And, if no, then why not? For right now you can just offer it as an English language vidmag.
Accessible through Remote Play?
Will back issues be available for (re-)download?
Will a new issue overwrite/erase an older issue?
Will the exclusive content be a timed exclusive? This is mainly regarding demos.
Will there be mandatory viewing of advertisements or will we be able to skip them? I hate when I purchase a movie and I am “forced” into watching ads or previews.
@ amurphy and Jeff R: thanks for the answers you have provided so far
@OldManGaming: I won’t be subscribing, but if a particular issue offers something I really want, then I can see myself picking it up.
@StalkingSilence: Nice blog you got there. I just bookmarked it.
I love original HD content. This is a great idea and the interactive part sounds really cool.
I am going to buy the yearly sub.
Having said that, I hope this doesn’t set a bad precedent and you guys always keep the core service free.
Wow what a fantastically unique and innovative idea! We get to pay for their advertising. I think you’ll get more exclusive information from surfing the web in the first place and as always some Good Samaritan will upload the content to your favorite UGV site. Way to go Sony, what’s next? Just so you have an idea SONY I already pay a membership fee of $220 a month to the COX suckers in order to connect to your service. How about you cut me some slack between cable, internet and phone bills? You want me to buy more of your games advertise them but don’t charge me for using my high speed access in order to download your high quality ads.
@299
So I guess you work in the broadcast industry huh….
How much are they paying Veronica?
What about interviews? Do they fly the interviewee in or do they fly the interviewer to the location? Guess Sony owns a plane that runs on free fuel then.
What Im getting at is that this is LIKE a magazine. It may be cheaper to produce than a magazine, but it by no means is FREE to produce.
I noticed that Calling All Cars is listed as a full download on Qore.
Does that mean that some older PSN titles will become available free to download for Qore subscribers?
Amazing how people don’t want to pay for anything these days (yet they want to get paid more for what they do). I guess its a side effect of getting cheap products from China. Oh well, their in for a rude awakening when the Chinese start demanding higher pay and all of a sudden there are no more cheap products.
NOTHING is free these days, get over it and live with it. Just take a flight anywhere and you’ll see, remember how checking in luggage was free? I isn’t anymore is it?
i think that this is a bad idea. i will probably buy the first episode to check it out and get the socom beta code but that will probably be the only time i buy it. this will be a disaster if free content on psn disappears and only shows up on this service
When you say, “exclusive demos”, are we talking about, say, a time exclusive demo, that will eventually be available to all PSN users?
why no release for uk
are we going be able to get beta access to games or just going get left out lol
@307 I have no arguement with you there- I never said it was free, just signifigantly cheaper to produce than either a real TV show or a paper magazine. Paper magazines have all the same costs (they often interview people in person as well) plus more (larger staff, physical media, shipping, etc, etc). Maybe you’re right and Veronica wants a large salary, but I’d be quite shocked to find that it is higher than the hundreds of extra employees a print magazine requires. My overall point still stands, as the costs are a fraction of a paper magazine, a sub should not cost us twice as much.
Congratulating Sony on finding a new way to nickle and dime you to death by slowly whittling away what used to be free is shooting yourselves in the foot people… don’t be shortsighted..
@308
It looks like some downloads will be sponsored by other companies such as Burger King, etc. So for example BK or McD would pay for the game and those who subscribed or purchased an issue of Qore will get it free.
I rarely comment on these blogs, but I find this story oh so intriguing. Just heard rumblings that QORE might offer PSN games as Calling All Cars, I’m told, will be available with their first episode. I don’t know whether to believe it since I haven’t seen it listed anywhere, but I’m all for it if it is true. That’s a pretty sweet deal.
Secondly, I noticed how you listed 13 episodes for the year. One for each month, except for one lonely episode that’s not tied to any. Please explain. Or rather, tell me that QORE will serve as our online access to E3! That would be so worth it. Live coverage and high quality videos and demos brought to us throughout the show. That would be a dream come true. That’s what you guys have planned isn’t it? If not… get to it. I’d gladly pay extra for that kind of insiders material. :)
I’m looking at this as PSN’s version of GAME INFORMER, EGM, IGN insider, & PSM. As long as it doesn’t affect what we already have, meaning cutting back on demo, add-ons, and themes so they can appear on Qore, I’ll be sold. I do like the fact that I am not forced to subscribe for the whole year. Chances are I might not find all 12 issues of the year worth owning.
@ whatisdelicious RE: Post #4:
whatisdelicious said: “this is absolutely a great idea and one that separates the PS3 from the 360, which is what we need.”
You couldn’t be anymore wrong than with that statement. Everything mentioned is included in XBOX Live Gold. I own both systems and as I expected “You get what you pay for.” We’ve been paying $50.00 per year for Live to get everything mentioned in Qore AND unified friends lists, cross-game chat, High-Def trailers, Game Demos of EVERY arcade title, game demos of Major AND non-Major titles.
What it comes down to is that SONY had to find a revenue stream somewhere, they are just breaking it up into smaller pieces so it’s not as obvious.
I love both systems, they are both impressive PS3 has my Blu-Ray, but 360 has my online and I have yet to see ANY PS3 title or interface that is even close to the Live interface.
@313
Regardless of the arguments here, this should be given a chance. The beauty of a capitalist system is that usually (not always) crap get weeded out with the power of the consumers wallet. Everyone is already getting cynical about something that hasn’t even had a chance to show itself. I’m a very optimistic person, but I am by no means gullible. I will purchase the first issue of Qore, but if I don’t like it that will probably be the last unless theres a very compelling issue that shows up later.
this sounds kind of cool but as of right now the playstation store is slim pickens so with this release will the store get even less content?i dont really download demos but really love arcade games i currently have about 50arcade games and 22 ps3 disc games the store needs more not less.also i thought the psn was supposed to be free and by making a clever magazine your gonna get us to pay for it even if it is cheap 25dollars a year?
Bring this to UK..we speak english too.
#301, EGM’s subscription costs $59.00 a year (12 issues).
1 Rockband song costs $1.00, this is for audio and the notes creation and sync.
With Qore, we are talking about a full 1h show, for $1.90 each epsode in the subscription.
I don’t understand why do you think this is expensive.
It sounds interesting, I will be checking it out.
I’ll have to see how this turns out in order to determine if it is worth my time/money.
The concept sounds great, though, and here’s hoping to this actually ending up more than something I’ll be able to see/experience in full on YouTube this Friday.
I’m not particularly happy about being forced to pay in order to get access to betas. Sony really needs to actually realize that GAP is still around, as ever since it went the more “broad” approach, I’ve never even been contacted about the potential to sign up along with 10,000 other people form a 500 spot Beta.
this isn’t a bad idea: its like a monthly TV show/podcast that Sony posts that you pay $3 for.
i’m sure (at least i hope!) you’ll still be able to download your videos and game demos for free the way you normally do!
@321 $59 a year? Are you insane? EGM gives out free subscriptions regularly (In fact, mine was free). When not free, it’s easy to find one for ~$12. In fact, here you go-
https://www.zdmcirc.com/zdmcirc/default.asp?LK=MAGLOBBY&I=egam If you don’t like that site (it’s ziffdavis, but whatever) Amazon sells it for $20 per year.
Paying for a glorified store? That’s nuts!
@ 315: I hope E3 get’s PSN/Qore coverage as well, because for the past two years XBOX Live has done an awesome job at it with Exclusive HD video/trailers AND game demos much earlier than expected. XBOX Live also has covered the Tokyo Game show CES and other trade shows over the past two years.
@ 321: Only a crazy person pays $59.00 per year for EGM… a subscription only costs $15-$20.
P.S. Glad to see PSN finally making real attempts to CATCH-UP to XBOX Live. Pretty soon we’ll be paying $49.99 per year for PSN, Qore and somethings else to make it look like XBOX Live and we’ll all be happy. ;-)
Umm, pay-for BD trailers, demos, themes and access to betas? Are you kidding? Crap like this is part of the reason why I went with the PS3 over the 360. I don’t want to pay for access to this content, and I’m not going to. I see the point in charging for the produced content you also mentioned, but not any of the other stuff. Please do not take those items away from the ‘regular’ PSN members.
@321 google “egm subscription” and the first link is ZD’s sub page where it is $12. Or, keep an eye out for the many free EGM subs that pop up all over the web and pay nothing for it (as I already did).
So I see, regardless of what amurphy and Jeff have responded with, people still have it in their minds that Qore is a replacement for the PS Store and PSN and that they’re having content stolen or sold to them.
Is anyone even reading anymore? If I didn’t know any better I’d say some of you are actually looking for a PSN fee.
The most legitimate criticisms I’ve seen so far is from GAP members who haven’t been invited to betas yet. The rest of you are blowing hot air for nothing. That’s just my opinion. This is a subscribe to SHOW/PROGRAM with incentives.
Not a doomsday device.
@SOCOM Beta Hopefulls
You do realize that Qore isn’t the only way to get into the beta. If you head over to the official SOCOM blog, there also going to announcing two other ways to enter the beta, as soon as they figure out when its going to be.
pretty good idea … Im going to try a month and if I like it, I’ll buy in for a year
Exclusive news will be sweet
@Clinton514
Oh but it IS a Doomsday device!!!
Will Qore be available for download every first week of the month or last week of the month?
Or will it be available radomly during each month?
The minute you purchase that first issue the universe will cease to exist.
I’m not going to be wasting my money on downloadable video’s (that I can’t sell) Also PS3 is a video games console and what do I want to do with it play video games. BLUERAY CD’S not download’s (can’t sell a download) At lest I can sell my Playstion mag’s and make all of my money back The same year for $1 a peice.
@329 I’m not trying to flame here, but do you believe every word corporations tell you? To me, simple logic dictates that Sony will not want to make their free service compete with their pay service. And of course they won’t come out and just admit it.
I bet you think (as they’d have us believe)that every DLC the companies are killing us with too was made after the game was released and not instead just held back to create more revenue? It’s the same idea here, and you can’t expect them to be truthful about it.
Who knows, maybe I’m just too pessimitic about the whole thing.
People need to understand that THIS IS NOT A NEW STORE! Lets think of this as a…”insiders” for SOME games. This is not mandatory NOR vital to get demos or betas.
I hate to say it but I like the idea except for the whole payment part. I got a PS3 for free online AND content. On paper it sounds like a great idea but what if there is one game demo I want to get but everything else in the issue I find worthless? The answer, I am pissed. First off, leave the demos alone. I would say that at least 30% of my game purchases are based off of demos. Demos tell me what to buy and what to avoid. Everything else I could care less about: themes, videos, interviews etc. That kind of stuff is just entertainment and does not affect what I buy. I would not mind spending 3 bucks for a BETA either as that is kind of a bonus but if I have to pay for demos I will be pissed. Sony be careful with this idea it could backfire with terrible results. If handled irresponsibly and if you do not listen to user feadback then you will have a mass of really pissed off Playstation owners. When these people consider what console to buy next they will not forget what happened to them and you will be sorry. As much cheesy as it is the customer is always right. If the difference between Live and PSN becomes blurred then what advantage does the PSN have? Tread lightly Playstation/Sony. these are dangerous waters you are crossing.
Hey leetfoo,
This has nothing to do with, “believing in what I’m told”.
It’s a simple matter of waiting to see what the service is like. I’m just finding it amusing and puzzling at the same time that people are claiming that they’re being slighted already.
They said that it’s not affecting or replacing the PS Store or PSN online play. I see no evidence that it is so there’s no reason for me to kick and scream about a scenario that isn’t likely at this point. No one else has presented any evidence either.
Can someone point me to an existing free HD program on the PSN at this time?
It’s your right to be pessimistic. I’d just like to see more compelling thoughts other than conspiracy theories(not you in particular).
I am willing to pay five, maybe ten cents TOPS per episode.
@339 I suppose it’s your right to be optimistic then ;) I do love a good conspiracy theory.
By the way, there is a bunch of free HD stuff on the HK (or maybe taiwan, I can’t recall…?) store. It’s called something like HD BOBO- It’s in Chinese though. Even without knowing exactly what they are saying, it’s great. I’m out for the day, see ya.
This is Bull. I love my PS3 but I’m not going to pay for screenshots and beta–either betas are open or closed.
What about the PSN users who DON’T want Qore? Are we not going to get the same demos? PSN is supposed to be a FREE service–demos, themes, wallpapers, etc, are a part of that.
This reeks.
Have a good night man.
Speaking of Doomsday… My PS3 went to heaven last night :(
I need it back before MGS4.
As far as I’m concerned SONY already made their mistake by not making PSN a subscription service in the first place. You get what you pay for and with XBOX Live that brings you features an high Quality online experiences.
I would love to pay for PSN if SONY would bring it to the same level as Live. Online gameplay on Live is a fluid experience, online gameplay on PSN is a hacked environment that requires new understanding of each title everytime you play.
Unified experiences is what PSN is missing and even THIS idea isn’t going to correct that issue.
Who would have thought that with an extra YEAR of development for the PS3 that SONY would allow PSN to stay at the bottom of the list of priorities the way they have so far.
At least SONY’s online is better than Nintendo’s… but not by much.
I find it funny that xbox fanboys are already spreading rumors on other sites making it seem as if Sony will now start charging people to play online, like Microsoft does with the Xbox 360.
Online gaming is still (hope will always be) free on the PS3. Qore is OPTIONAL, we’re not being forced to pay for it.
That sucks, Clinton.
Hopefully you get it back in time.
@ 345: Demon, you say “Like Microsoft does” as if it’s a bad thing. Look at the online interface of the three main competitors.
Nintendo free: Horrible performance and options.
SONY free (optional premium): Mediocre performance and options.
Microsoft $50: Fantastic performance and online options.
This isn’t a biased opinion, this is from a gamer with all three consoles, all three setup online AND I have had every Playstation AND XBOX ever released.
Sony needs to nail this thing to own online and so far they are missing it entirely.
When will the Playstation pre-paid card be available?
Sounds pretty darn sweet if I do say so myself. The price doesn’t bother me as I’d be willing to pay five dollars for Qore but that’s just me.