Sony introducing monthly 'Qore' episodes to US PSN on June 5

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced an exclusive development agreement with Future US, Inc., publisher of PlayStation: The Official Magazine, to introduce Qore, "a highly interactive, monthly original program that covers the world inside PlayStation," to the PlayStation 3 on June 5. The "interactive online magazine" term that was first trademarked by Sony a few weeks ago seems to be a fitting description of the program slash show, which will provide subscribers with a monthly dose of "exclusive multimedia news, developer interviews, in-depth game previews and behind-the-scene looks at the hottest PLAYSTATION games," as well as special game demos, betas, add-ons and other interactive tidbits.

Now, you'll have noted the word, "subscribers," in the previous paragraph. The first episode of Qore will be available on the PlayStation Store for the "introductory price" of $2.99, with annual subscriptions (providing 13 episodes) costing $24.99. For a limited time, annual subscribers will also receive a free copy of David Jaffe's Calling All Cars.

Sony labels Qore as "truly interactive," stating that members will be able to access and view the content as they wish, with multiple windows, picture-in-picture and other features altering the presentation. Oh, and it's hosted by our favorite high school detective and vampire slayer, Veronica Belmont. See for yourself in a preview video after the break.

The first episode of Qore will feature "exclusive and never-before released content" on several upcoming PS3 games, including SOCOM:US. Navy SEALs Confrontation, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Secret Agent Clank, Soul Calibur 4 and Afro Samurai. It will also include a SOCOM: Confrontation theme, art galleries and an invitation to the shooter's upcoming beta.

Update: A SCEE rep has told PS3 Fanboy that Qore "is an SCEA only initiative at this time."

Reader Comments (61)

No, everyone's talking as if this is a really bad idea. As stated before, it's merely paying for Sony commercials, and you can get all of that without the spin on the internet. Maybe the monthly bonuses will be worth a look, automatic access to betas is a cool idea. However, if they're only available to full time subscribers then the only way I'm going to stay interested is if the viewership doubles as a priority beta pool for Sony games an hopefully some third party titles willing to sign up.

Wow, paying for promotional content.

Sony must REALLY think people are stupid.

And there's my problem with this. This is just the same information that we get from Joystiq or GameTrailers or the myriad of other blogs, sites, and sources we frequent...

Not to say that people not in the know are stupid... Just... I feel like people are being taken advantage of. And it's argued that noone is forced to subscribe, but some people don't know there are multiple, free, better alternatives.

Like, those boss strategy videos they sell on 360. Why would anyone buy them when you've got youtube or gamevee? Because you don't know that stuff is up there, or because you don't know the sites exist.

Shit like the boss videos on Live exist for the casual gamer. They know we're not going to be tricked into buying something like that, but not every 360 owner is a hardcore gamer so they're hoping they can trick some of them into buying it.

As for this, I dunno if I would pay for it. Guess it all depends on the "exclusive extras" they have each month.

"exclusive multimedia news, developer interviews, in-depth game previews and behind-the-scene looks at the hottest PLAYSTATION games,"

So if this stuff is exclusive to Qore, how exactly are we already getting this from online sources?

@ Samfish

"Wow, paying for promotional content.

Sony must REALLY think people are stupid."

Didn't they say that openly back @ E3.. that they think people are stupid... enough to buy a PS3 if there weren't any games on the system, to make people get two jobs to pay for one, etc, etc, etc?

Ah, I kid guys, I kid. Slightly.

The mentions of beta access, free add-ons and a free game for doing the bulk subscription is tempting, however I dunno how interesting the core content is going to be in the end.

None the less, with Sony's adjustment of their pricing so that Canadians pay the same as Americans for content, this means the 13 episode subscription costs essentially me the same as two magazines, which ain't too bad.

But like many point out, the preview content will most likely be the same as reading Joystiq and Kotaku every day.

Cool, I like Veronica Belmont. She was great on CNet's Buzz Out Loud.

Actually, I own both a PS3 and a 360, and I gladly pay the $50 for the superior online service with Friend's lists and the like. The only time I'll feel I'm paying too much is when PSN becomes equal to, or better than LIVE, and that just hasn't happened yet.

i know it is wrong for sony to charge for content that is supposed to be free, like betas and demos and so on.

but i had to check this service out to see if it is worth it.
and i dug out the visa and got the month plan for $2.99.
and i have to say the look and feel of it very nice.
but so far it is not worth it at all.

it only has a few thing's on it about some games like videos and pictures of the games comming out.
and a movie trailer which is incrdible hulk.

and it has the socom confrontation theme.
and soon the beta for the game which is strictly online play by the way.

and that is pretty much it for quore.
not much content at all, so i would say skip unless you like to spend your money on usless crap.
and maybe they will actually get better who knows.
but right now it should only be in trial only mode to see if we like it.

but i gave you my opinion about the service it looks and feels very nice.
but no content to back it up, and they only update it every month which i think is rediculous.
they should update it all through out the month.
but thats sony for ya.

Sony introducing monthly 'Qore' episodes to US PSN on June 5

Reader Comments (61)

Posted: Jun 3rd 2008 1:19PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 3rd 2008 11:02AM samfish said

Posted: Jun 3rd 2008 11:32AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 3rd 2008 12:52PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 3rd 2008 1:33PM Kodros said

Posted: Jun 3rd 2008 4:58PM xGearSecondx said

Posted: Jun 3rd 2008 1:10PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 3rd 2008 2:06PM Tez said

Posted: Jun 3rd 2008 2:48PM liam said

Posted: Jun 4th 2008 2:57AM Misfit Toy said

Posted: Jun 9th 2008 2:49PM (Unverified) said

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