Peering into the depths of Qore

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 6th 2008 at 11:45AM }

What is Qore? It's a new digital magazine exclusively available via PSN that stars our friend, Veronica Belmont. One slightly delayed launch later, and it's finally available to the masses. Qore promises a number of bonuses, such as entry into the SOCOM Confrontation beta, and a few hidden mini-games ... but is it worth the cost of admission ($3 an issue, $25 for an annual subscription)? PS3 Fanboy thinks it's a pretty good deal, especially with the bonus download of Calling all Cars! for annual subscribers. They've gone through the entire issue, and have broken it down inch-by-inch, so you can determine whether or not its worth your hard-earned digital coin.

Click here to begin the tour and be sure to let us know what you think.

Tags: qore

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jun 6th 2008 11:50AM

Well I was going to post something about the article but then I got the hummingbird 4 times between clicking the article, and trying to post a message so I am going to stop reading Joystiq. I know Firefox+Adscript=No Ads, but Firefox+Adscript also equals no job since I test software in Internet Explorer and installing other things like Firefox would be trouble. You should announce in your podcast when the hummingbird ad is officially gone. You should also let the people above you know that the hummingbird ad is driving away your viewers and that it doesn't work. It doesn't work technically with all it's broken script and the fact that you can't skip it half the time, and it doesn't even work as an ad! 99% of the people here don't even watch it past the hummingbird which is why it is referred to as the hummingbird ad. I have absolutely no idea what the ad is actually for, my best guess is that it is to sell hummingbird feeders! I know the site has to make money somehow, but this is not it. I don't mind the banners, heck I wouldn't even mind if the hummingbird actually worked as long as I didn't see it every single link I click. It seems kind of rediculous when you see it every time you vote on a comment. Hopefully you get it taken down soon so I can come back and actually read your site, not watch a hummingbird and then play games to try and get rid of it.

NukeAssault @ Jun 6th 2008 11:51AM

Firefox + Ad Block Plus.

Mr.ESC @ Jun 6th 2008 11:59AM

You didn't read the giant wall of text,right NukeAssault?

Seriously the intel ad is annoying.

Tiptup300 @ Jun 6th 2008 12:30PM

Ok, I'm turning on ads just to see this hummingbird ad. See just how bad it really is...

Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Jun 6th 2008 12:33PM

What it always reminds me of is that Simpsons episode where they change the telephone area codes, and Homer can't figure it out, and he keeps getting the error tone, and he just screams.

The horror.

Tiptup300 @ Jun 6th 2008 12:35PM

How do you set it off, I'm still unable to see it... I even tried IE.

Ken Seang @ Jun 6th 2008 1:47PM

You know all of this talk of the humming bird is making me curious, does anyone have a vid of what it does?

Marty @ Jun 6th 2008 1:57PM

When you try to click Submit to post a comment, the screen goes black and a big ass ad with a hummingbird comes up. When you click "Skip," the ad goes away, but the big black box remains there, and it scrolls with your browser scrolling, so you can't get rid of it.

I usually just press Back on the browser, copy my post, refresh the page, paste my post, and re-submit, but I guess other people have worse problems than that.

Talryyn @ Jun 6th 2008 3:37PM

I have ABP running and I still see the bird, maybe I need to upgrade or it is a FF3RC1 thing.

But Hummingbird = Phail - plus what is the ad about anyway? I always start hitting my back button when I see the box. I support you by clicking on links, but the bird must die... Muhahaha! Or something.

Oh wait, is Qore like the hummingbird, is that the link here?

mr mobius @ Jun 6th 2008 6:07PM

Funny thing is for me it comes up but no matter how long you leave it, it doesn't play, so it's just one big nuisance that even fails at an attempt to be an ad for a product as it just shows nothing for me. Get rid Joystiq or you'll lose viewers almost as fast as Gamespot after Gerstmanngate.

rc @ Jun 6th 2008 11:54AM

Looks pretty cool. It's about like getting Playstation the official mag, except on your ps3. not a bad price with calling all cars for free.

NukeAssault @ Jun 6th 2008 11:54AM

25 bucks for an annual subscription? Not worth it to me. I could get a subscription to a real magazine(by that i mean a physical one)for that much. to each there own though. Who knows it could be good.

NukeAssault @ Jun 6th 2008 11:56AM

I do think all the extras may make it worth it. Free stuff is nice. =D

Reuben @ Jun 6th 2008 12:22PM

You are a whore, buddy :-)

I'm not down with paying for this at all. The only reason I pay for XBOX LIVE is because I can't get enough Halo, otherwise I wouldn't pay for that either. $25 seems a little rough for just digital info and videos.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 6th 2008 11:55AM

I think this first issue so far is a good deal for $3. I'm only on the star wars previews so far, but I've already seen some new gameplay I haven't seen before (admittedly, I haven't followed the game religiously so this footage may or may not be out somewhere else) and heard some new info.

Also the obvious is the ticket to the socom beta. Good stuff there.

Production values seem to be good so far, but I'm still not sure if I'm ready to throw down for a full year subscription yet. Maybe if next month's content is good too then I'll do it.

koehler83 @ Jun 6th 2008 11:58AM

Magazines are for reading on the can, not in front of big HDTVs.

Oh wait.. You can just use Remote Play right? ... Oh way, no you cant. Thats too obvious a notion. Silly me.

Dirty @ Jun 6th 2008 11:58AM

I'll give it a try.
Seems like they are getting a lot of flack for the ads. Perhaps the should consult joystiq about how to handle such situations.

Erwos @ Jun 6th 2008 11:59AM

SOCOM beta access alone might be worth the $3. If they keep providing exclusive beta access, it could be a reasonable deal - maybe.

PrinceKing @ Jun 6th 2008 3:19PM

you should head over to ps3fanboy. bad news awaits us buyers

qbix @ Jun 6th 2008 12:02PM

Sounds like the PSN is slowly moving into a subscription model.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 6th 2008 12:10PM

Maybe maybe not but I don't see how offering a little extra content that no one *needs* but could be nice to have is a problem. It's not like they're charging for online or stopping the regular flow of demos/trailers/dlc to their regular store.

qbix @ Jun 6th 2008 12:28PM

True, but how many people do you think are going to feel like they are missing out on interesting PSN content by not having a subscription? It's a tactic used by corporations all the time, make it optional but appealing at first until it becomes a necessity or a must-have item to the majority of your consumer-base or audience.

What could possibly keep Sony from delivering this content free of charge?

Think about it.

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Jun 6th 2008 12:30PM

Slowly moving to? No. I doubt they'll ever move fully to a Live model. They are borrowing elements and trying to find financial hooks that make money without producing a backlash. Frankly, while it may cost more in the end, I do like the choice of opting in. I can still play multiplayer, but refuse any of the extra services.

Live is a good service, don't get me wrong. But it takes the opposite approach. Live requires money for the most desirable service, multiplayer, and throws in extras for free. The PSN is moving to charge for extras and throwing in multiplayer for free. For me, the PSN model works better for me even though they backed down from the "all free" platform.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 6th 2008 12:50PM

"What could possibly keep Sony from delivering this content free of charge?"

Because Qore isn't produced by Sony. It's a production of Future Publishing. In other words, it's the digital rebirth of Official Playstation Magazine. Listen to the Game Theory Podcast and they have one of the lead editors on there and he basically says they have a set budget to produce and track down stories and they do so. This is Sony hiring someone else to run it so it's NOT a part of Sony, just PR hired by Sony.

Sounds confusing but let's break it down. This project is seperate from the PSN team. The PSN team will track their own leads and hunt down content for the PSN. They will also have the blog as their mouthpiece.

Future Publishing isn't working under the goal of providing content for PSN. Instead they are working to bring exclusives and digital magazine perks. So the one week headstart on an occassional demo isn't really what you're paying for. You're paying for the video content and interviews. The demos and beta access is the equivelant of getting that MGS4 DVD when you preordered or getting the free photoshop brushes when you preorder D'Artiste 2: Digital Painting from Ballistic. Those perks are the incentive for the purchase, not the reason.

So long as Sony keeps Qore seperate from PSN teams, I don't see a problem.

Jtenma @ Jun 6th 2008 3:25PM

Hmmm. I like the way you put that Sir. Fid....you make me feel better about paying 2.99 alittle, I agree with that statement there..... (Only reason is for SOCOM beta). But the "exclusive interviews/trailers" are exactly what I thought they were though....shit WE ALREADY NOW from joystiq..etc...etc.

Jody Anthony (cookingrebels.com) @ Jun 6th 2008 12:06PM

gonna go for the annual subscription tonight when i get off work. i figure it's less than half the cost of a new ps3 game, so it's not that bad. plus ive been thinking of picking up calling all cars anyway.

Dirty @ Jun 6th 2008 12:12PM

Didn't notice the calling all cars. I should read the whole article next time. Very enticing indeed.

Shadow Hog @ Jun 6th 2008 12:16PM

ITT: what the Belmonts do when NOT fighting Dracula

PojoMofo @ Jun 6th 2008 12:18PM

13 issues+SOCOM Beta+demos+calling all cars=$25

SOLD!

Mr.ESC @ Jun 6th 2008 12:22PM

Socom is win.

KOBES-ACCUSER @ Jun 6th 2008 12:20PM

The Socom Beta sold me on getting the 1 month subscription, but I have heard it has old video's and sucks. With SOCOM being the first game I played online and the only game for sometime you know I will be downloading this tonight!

bigd7387 @ Jun 6th 2008 12:22PM

Actually I'm really glad I got rid of my PS3 and people still like their PS3's but the PSN will start charging a fee, it's a coming. Home is basic but if you want anything you have to pay extra and even offering online gameplay costs Sony money and like any other company Sony's in the business to make money. But really how could you justify spending $25 a year for an online magazine, Wow the PS3 needs games bad.

PojoMofo @ Jun 6th 2008 12:26PM

WOW, thanks for all of this inside information, Did Howard tell you this??? or Kaz?? or did you just come to some idiot conclusion that helps your fanboy persona feel more worthwhile??

Im guessing the latter

Mr.ESC @ Jun 6th 2008 12:21PM

The bonus download of Calling all Cars!

I was about to say that I normally I don't subscribe to magazines because I'm purely interested on the bonus demos and well the included stuff but when you put it this way Annual Subscription FTW,I hope they include more cool stuff like this.

Too bad I don't have a PS3 yet.I won't have one until next month sinc eI'll be very busy.

Marty @ Jun 6th 2008 12:25PM

Were it not for Calling All Cars / SOCOM, nobody would buy this. So why don't they just offer the downloads / beta up for some cash, and skip all this silly digital magazine nonsense?

PojoMofo @ Jun 6th 2008 12:31PM

So what your saying is Marty, that you have no problem paying $25 for Calling All Cars/demos/SOCOM Beta, but dont like paying $25 for Calling All Cars/demos/SOCOM Beta + exclusive content???

Marty @ Jun 6th 2008 1:17PM

Exclusive content? Please.

Assuming the "exclusive content" is just written material, what gaming news website isn't going to carry the exact same thing, for free?

And if it's not just written material, what all do you expect? A XMB theme or two?

Sorry, but I don't have high expectations for this. I guarantee you that most people wouldn't be interested in the least if the package didn't include a free game and a free beta pass.

Noshino @ Jun 6th 2008 2:40PM

"Assuming the "exclusive content" is just written material, what gaming news website isn't going to carry the exact same thing, for free?"

Does Game Informer ring a bell?....

Arno @ Jun 6th 2008 12:29PM

I heard an interview on GameTheory with one of their old hosts who now works on Qore. He said that every month they would have "demos" included, and for starters the first one would be the Socom beta. So what does that mean for the future? They will pull demos or never release them on PSN in order for them to be exclusive to Qore? So.. now you end up paying for demos? If demos is supposed to be the big selling factor then PSN is the wrong platform for this since those same demos should be there to begin with.

My two cents.

deaftly @ Jun 6th 2008 12:29PM

the 360 kinda has the same thing with xbox insider but is it also free to silver users?

nxtiak @ Jun 6th 2008 1:54PM

Yes it's free to Silver users.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jun 6th 2008 12:31PM

I'm sorry but paying money to get "insider information"(IE: stuff you can find on the internet for free) seems pretty damn ridiculous. Even if you're doing it just for the Socom Beta.

PojoMofo @ Jun 6th 2008 12:54PM

that funny, how many people paid $60 for a Halo 3 beta??? Most people didnt know Crackdown was going to turn out to be good

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 6th 2008 1:01PM

I paid $50 for the MGS 2 demo. Completely worth it though as I played that demo longer than ZOE actually lasted (about 5 1/2 hours for me)

cc123 @ Jun 6th 2008 1:05PM

"I'm sorry but paying money to get "insider information"(IE: stuff you can find on the internet for free) seems pretty damn ridiculous."

So nobody should buy magazines either because their info can be found on the internet for free?

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jun 6th 2008 1:15PM

"that funny, how many people paid $60 for a Halo 3 beta??? Most people didnt know Crackdown was going to turn out to be good"

Maybe it has to do with the fact that you're paying for a full fledge game that's actually decent which is why many people didn't have a problem with it." And please, don't give me the whole, "NO ONE KNEW WHAT THEY WERE BUYING" crap.

The reason why I don't have a problem with magazines is because these magazines get exclusive content(interviews, game reveals, pics, etc etc) it offers more than what you can get from an internet site.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 6th 2008 1:20PM

Vegeta, ironically enough, Qore is tracking their own exclusive stories and interviews just LIKE a magazine would.

cc123 @ Jun 6th 2008 1:20PM

"The reason why I don't have a problem with magazines is because these magazines get exclusive content(interviews, game reveals, pics, etc etc) it offers more than what you can get from an internet site."

Read Sheppy's posts in this thread about Qore being a production of Future Publishing. Seems like it's just an online version of what a magazine would be.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 6th 2008 1:28PM

Actually, that IS exactly it. Maybe I'm the only one who remembers the computer magazine boom and suddenly movies, comics, music, games... all of them, suddenly had something referred to as "CD-ROM magazines." This concept failed because you were basically paying $12 an issue before the concept was graspable by mainstream media.

WHEN Future Publishing stopped OPM, they had mentioned they would return as a digital magazine which everyone just wrote off as a website. To me, Qore is a Digital Magazine.

I don't see the ripoff. If this interests you (and seeing some of the concept art in galleries was cool for me), this is a great concept. If not, it's $3 a month you don't have to spend to enjoy PS3.

NATO_Duke @ Jun 6th 2008 12:41PM

So XB Live is such a rip-off to the PS3 fanboys, but now people are going to say that this is such a great deal. I find that disingenuous at best.

They want us to pay to get insider info and into a beta – that’s not cool at all. They are giving the game away to soften the blow, but when MS charges a fee or gives a game to soften the blow of something (like an outage) the PS3 fanboys scream bloody murder.

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