PlayStation Store

The PlayStation Store (also abbreviated as PSN Store) is a store available to users of ‘s , , and via the . The store offers a range of both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games, add-on content, , and game/movie .

Contents

Access

The store is accessible through an icon on the on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable, via the Dynamic Menu on the PlayStation 4, and an icon on the on the PlayStation Vita. The service is also available online through the website.

PSN Master Account

A “master” PlayStation Network account is required to access the PlayStation Store. A log of all previously purchased items, known as “Download List”, records each PlayStation Store account’s complete download activity. A guest user can use their master account’s Download List to download free content or to purchase content on another console, however, a single account can only be used on up to two consoles. This was previously five, but as of November 2011, Sony reduced this to two. The most recent firmware must be installed on the console in order to access the PlayStation Store.

Each master account is associated with an online virtual “wallet” to which funds can be added. This wallet is then debited when a purchase is made from the store. Money can be added to the wallet through different systems of payment, although some of these are not available in all countries.

Currency

All purchases on the PlayStation Store are made in the user’s local currency using a ‘wallet’ system whereby funds are added to the wallet – either in set denominations or an amount dictated by the price of the current transaction – then debited from the account’s wallet when the user makes a purchase, funds added to the PS Store are non-refundable.

The user can add funds to their wallet in a number of ways, the most common of which is by or card. Users in many regions can also purchase PlayStation Network Cards or Tickets in set denominations from retailers including supermarkets or video game stores. These funds are redeemed on the PlayStation Store when the user enters the unique 12-digit code found on the card into the PlayStation Store. Nintendo themselves later adopted this currency system for their succeeding . The Store’s account however is region locked and generally only accepts credit card that is billed in and PlayStation Network Cards purchased from the same country selected during the registration process, which cannot be changed afterwards.

As of July 2013, the UK users of the store can top up their wallet via a mobile phone, with the user paying for the funds through their phone bill.

PlayStation Store for PS3

The PlayStation Store was launched on the PlayStation 3 on November 11, 2006 and is accessible via an icon under the PlayStation Network category of the XMB. There are four different versions of the PlayStation Store: Asia, Europe (including Oceania and the Middle East), Japan, and North America (including Latin America). Content may vary per country. There is no PlayStation Store in China.

Content

Multitasking

As of March 22, 2007, background downloading became possible while watching a video stored on the HDD, listening to music, looking at photos, using the and playing , or offline PS3 games. Officially 16 downloads can be queued up at a time. The status of the downloads can only be checked on the XMB under the “Network” category. If the messaging service is enabled, a pop-up message will appear in the top right corner of the screen to notify the user that a download is finished.

Connectivity with PlayStation Vita

Cross-platform content such as emulated PlayStation games, PS Vita games and demos, and minis, can be transferred from the PlayStation 3 to the PS Vita via a wired connection.

Connectivity with PlayStation Portable

Some cross-platform store content such as emulated PlayStation games and demos can be transferred from the PlayStation 3 to the PlayStation Portable’s via a USB connection.

After the installation of released on October 15, 2008, the PlayStation Store can be accessed directly from the PSP without the need to use a PC or PS3 as an intermediary. It is accessible under the PlayStation Network category on the PSP’s XMB. However, users who do not have any method for connecting wirelessly can still use the PlayStation Store on the PC using .

Redesigns

Following feedback from a large number of PlayStation Network users, a redesigned version of the PlayStation Store was launched on April 15, 2008 via a firmware update. The new design was OS based rather than the previous Store’s web based design enabling the Store to process information more quickly.

A minor update to the store was released during Sony’s . This update makes the top page rotate pictures (including their links) regularly, and changes the navigation sounds.

A major redesign of the PlayStation Store was announced in September 2012, bringing with it a revised navigation structure and new search system. The new store has been developed to bring game and video content together and make it easier for users to find what they are looking for. Content will be integrated into each game’s listing, rather than separate categories for items like add-ons, themes, and other downloadable content. The latest design is much less focused on text, and incorporates high-resolution artwork and smooth animations for featured content. The new redesign launched in Europe on October 22, 2012. Shortly after it was launched in the United Kingdom, the Store interface was reverted to the old design due to issues such as long load times and slow navigation, while other countries in Europe retained the new interface despite these issues. The redesign was released in North America on November 2, 2012.

PlayStation Store for PS Vita

The PlayStation Store was launched on the PlayStation Vita on December 17, 2011 and is accessible via an icon on the . There are four different versions of the PlayStation Store: Asia, Europe (including Oceania and the Middle East), Japan, and North America. Content may vary per country. There are no PlayStation Stores in China and Latin America.

Content