Qore
From PS3Wiki
Qore (pronounced "core") is a subscription-based interactive online magazine for the PlayStation Network.
Contents |
Features
Currently only available in North America, the service offers high definition videos, interviews and behind the scenes footage pertaining to upcoming and recently released PlayStation games. It also offers exclusive access to game demos and betas. The product is available from the PlayStation Store where users can choose to purchase a single episode for $2.99 or an annual, 13-episode subscription for $24.99.
History
On 3 June 2008 SCEA announced a new service, Qore, which launched on the PlayStation Store in North America on 6 June 2008. In the press release published on the Official PlayStation Blog, Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network was described as "a highly interactive, monthly lifestyle gaming program covering the world inside PlayStation".
Service
Game Videos
Each episode includes a selection of behind-the-scenes videos, previews, interviews and news related to PlayStation products. Videos are hosted by Veronica Belmont and are presented in 720p high definition. Broken-up into several videos, each episode contains beteween 25 and 30 minutes of video content, not including advertisements, the opening trailer, or introduction videos by Veronica Belmont.
Download Center
Exclusive playable demos, betas, and themes, along with a free download of the PSN game Calling All Cars! to those who purchase a one year subscription to Qore. All content can be downloaded through the Playstation Network while signed in through Qore's Download Center.
Access
Once purchased Qore programs become available on the PlayStation Store's Download List. If an annual subscription has been purchased, episodes are automatically added to the user's Download List.
Episodes
Episode 1 (June 2008)
- SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation
- Soul Calibur IV
- Secret Agent Clank
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Episode 2 (July 2008)
- Resistance 2
- Silent Hill: Homecoming
- Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
- Madden NFL 09
Episode 4 (September 2008)
- MotorStorm: Pacific Rift
Criticism
The announcement that Qore subscribers will have advanced access to exclusive betas and demos has triggered a mixed reaction from the gaming community. Many users believe this is a covert way of introducing a premium PlayStation Network subscription model, similar to that used on Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace service where premium subscribers get game demos one week before they are fully released. Criticism has also been made of the way that advertising is being incorporated into the service.
Gaming commentators have also attacked Qore for being light on content, and for containing too many advertisements (two 20-second spots that can be skipped after the first 5 seconds, and one 15 second spot in the "download section" which cannot be skipped by the viewer), suggesting that because Qore is a paid-for, premium service, it should not contain so many intrusive adverts.
