Multiple PS Store updates make some devs uneasy

Sony is planning multiple updates per week once the PlayStation Store returns, but some developers are expressing concern that games will get lost in the flood of new content.

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Sony is planning multiple updates per week once the PlayStation Store comes back, but Edge reports that some developers are expressing concern that their games will get lost in the shuffle.

One developer, speaking anonymously, said he feels "sorry for those that are attempting to launch games in the days following the outage, as there will likely be such a backlog of traffic that it may be hard to be noticed in the flurry of 'get everything back up and running'." He also revealed that the downtime may have slowed development on online games that rely on PSN, since those features couldn't be tested.

Ilari Kuittinen, CEO of Housemarque, is concerned that the Outland may be overlooked, especially in light of the free giveaways in Sony's Welcome Back program. "My biggest concern is whether people will come back to use the system and browse the PlayStation Store," he said. "On top of that, the second issue is that everyone now gets games for free (including our Dead Nation and Super Stardust HD), so people might just play the free games for a while. By the time they are ready to buy something, Outland is maybe old news."

A more optimistic perspective comes from Seed Studios, which announced the (now defunct) May 3 release date for Under Siege just days before the network went down. "We are all concerned with the overall situation, but we think that despite all the delays and multiple releases Under Siege will stand out on its own," said producer Filipe Pina. "This is a game about continuity and building a community; while other games focus on sales for the first weeks we focus on the longer run with support for users with more content and continuous updates."

We aren't sure when the PlayStation Store will return. A reportedly leaked memo claimed we'll see updates starting Tuesdays and Fridays next week, but Sony's Patrick Seybold was quick to say the company has "not announced a specific date."

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    May 20, 2011 10:00 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Multiple PS Store updates make some devs uneasy.

    Sony is planning multiple updates per week once the PlayStation Store returns, but some developers are expressing concern that games will get lost in the flood of new content.

    • reply
      May 20, 2011 10:19 AM

      I feel like Shacknews has been posting a lot about the rumors within the industry more than usual. Does anyone else feel this way? I dislike it quite a bit.

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 10:30 AM

        Rumors?

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 10:35 AM

        devs sayings "we're concerned" doesn't exactly qualify as a rumor

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 12:04 PM

        Kind of expected that a big story like this would get alot of coverage, and this article isnt really a rumor....

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 4:26 PM

        Link? I think it's just a rumor.

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 5:46 PM

        slow news week until the explosion that is duke nukem

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 5:53 PM

        we're sorry you dislike it? not sure what you are looking for here.

    • reply
      May 20, 2011 10:46 AM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 10:53 AM

        top-of-mind awareness

        typically new releases come out on Thursday, and the amount of content released is limited. the new content shows up on the "New Releases" page for an entire week until the next content update. This is one full week of free marketing for a independent developer. people see it and say "what's this?" and check it out. with less time on the front page, far less people see it.

        independent devs can't always advertise their games again, because that costs money. all some of these guys have is that week on the front page and the follow-up word of mouth. they have every reason to be concerned with this.

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        May 20, 2011 11:10 AM

        if its old, people dont buy. that happens to everybody except for a very tiny select few

        • reply
          May 20, 2011 6:13 PM

          I bet Valve has a different answer.

          • reply
            May 20, 2011 6:17 PM

            You mean like a Steam sale? I doubt the devs make much money off those since the games are heavily discounted. I imagine they are great if you have a sequel coming up though.

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 4:29 PM

        Do these devs have enough money to do a second marketing campaign of their little games?

        It will be interesting to see what the sales are for a game like Outland, which was scheduled for the week PSN went down, yet still released on the 360 on time.

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          May 20, 2011 5:27 PM

          Outland has actually had time to build some good word of mouth on the Xbox, so hopefully that will work in their favor when the PSN version comes out.

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          May 20, 2011 5:38 PM

          Sony could offer to promote for free or something. not that they would, but it'd be a good gesture

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 5:30 PM

        that's not actually true.

    • reply
      May 20, 2011 4:21 PM

      More than frequent updates I think the crux of the story would be this quote: "My biggest concern is whether people will come back to use the system and browse the PlayStation Store," he said. "On top of that, the second issue is that everyone now gets games for free (including our Dead Nation and Super Stardust HD), so people might just play the free games for a while. By the time they are ready to buy something, Outland is maybe old news."

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 5:04 PM

        time to put that marketing to work

    • reply
      May 20, 2011 5:50 PM

      Dear PSN Devs:

      Don't worry, if the game is good and comes out in that window, I'll buy it

      • reply
        May 20, 2011 6:04 PM

        you buy everything

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          May 20, 2011 6:06 PM

          Only partially true :(

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            May 20, 2011 6:09 PM

            it's not a matter of it, but when you buy the games

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              May 20, 2011 6:09 PM

              it --> if

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              May 20, 2011 6:10 PM

              There's many games I have never bought and never intend to buy unless they somehow wind up as part of a huge bundle :(

          • reply
            May 20, 2011 6:20 PM

            Do you have a job?

            I admire your enthusiasm for games, old and new.

            • reply
              May 20, 2011 6:22 PM

              Yes! It thankfully pays well enough to support my habit and allows me enough time to somewhat enjoy the stuff I buy :D

    • reply
      May 21, 2011 8:34 AM

      Well, I've never heard of Outland, so congrats on getting the name out there, although not something I'd be into after looking it up. So his worries were for nothing. From reading the next quote, seems as though the Housemarque isn't as positive about their game as Seed Studios.

    • reply
      May 22, 2011 8:42 PM

      I would probably buy more games on PSN if the store wasn't so terrible. If I want to know anything about a game on there I have to go online and look it up.

      How about doing some basic stuff, like screenshots and video? Unbelievable they don't have this.

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