Some Interesting PSN Facts

Posted on 12. Mar, 2008 by in News, PSN Network

I have read two articles about the PSN and I found that there are some interesting facts that I would share with you. Besides the obvious that the PSN is free. When Chris Eden, Sony’s senior developer relations manager, he mentioned at GDC that the PlayStation Network is managed by Sony but doesn’t own it.

An example of this is with the release of Epic Games’ Unreal Tournament III, were Sony gave permission for drop-in game modification support. “Microsoft’s restrictions on Xbox Live content interfere with the developer’s intentions.” says Epic.

Another interesting fact is that the PSN does not have a download limit of its games, where Microsoft has a some kind of cap. Live Arcade was launched with a tiny 50mb total limit only to be upgraded to a still small 150mb, following the threat of games not releasable due to the restrictions. The only limit that the PlayStation Network has is 1.8gig but that is for the PSP games, there is no limit to PS3 games. This means that alot of things for the games released on Xbox Live will be limited, by having lower resolution textures. This was what developer Capcom complained about with their upcoming release of Bionic Commando Rearmed and Street Fighter II HD Remix.

I never knew that it is the developers of the games, that set the prices of their games that they release. “We don’t set or recommend prices, or have price slots, Sony just acts as a digital reseller, you’re free to set your own prices.” says Eden.

Some Numbers:
- Not every PS3 owner is partaking in the service, only about half of all owners have gone online.
- 2.8 million are american users and is 50% of all american PS3 owners
- 82 percent have downloaded at least one piece of content
- About 46 million pieces of content, probably including free videos and trailers.
- 92 percent of PSN members are male
- 79 percent are between the ages of 18 and 34
- flOw is the top download in the US and Tekken 5 the top in the UK

News source for Article 1 and Article 2.

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