SCEA Announces Subscription-Based Qore Content

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced Qore, an interactive, monthly downloadable multimedia PlayStation Network bundle with video content, demos and add-ons, debuting on June 5th. Produced and published by SCEA under an exclusive development agreement with PlayStation: The Official Magazine publisher Future US, Qore episodes will feature developer interviews, game previews, demos, betas, and add-ons, delivered in high-definition. Qore’s first episode will be posted on the PlayStation store for an introductory price of $2.99. Though Sony has not revealed its pricing for following episodes, customers can purchase an annual subscription for $24.99. In addition, annual subscribers will receive thirteen episodes of Qore and, for a limited time, will be able to download PlayStation Network title Calling All Cars for free. The first episode will feature exclusive content for SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Secret Agent Clank, Soul Calibur 4, and Afro Samurai. Blu-Ray disc trailers, a SOCOM: Confrontation theme, an invitation to the SOCOM: Confrontation beta, art galleries, and other items will also be included. According to a separate statement from Future US, the venture - which is hosted by online video presenting veteran Veronica Belmont - also includes advertisements within Qore, and the launch episode will feature support from Burger King, Universal Pictures, Activision, and Codemasters. Said SCEA’s senior vice president of Marketing and the PlayStation Network, Peter Dille: "Original content, community-related services and innovative products are a major focus for the PlayStation Network this year and we are pleased to introduce Qore exclusively for our customers. Qore is the first step in providing original content dedicated to the PlayStation community and evolving the network into a place where our customers can gather, share and discover new forms of entertainment." Interestingly, Sony partner Future US had previously promised OXM Digital, a "digital digest of our mag [for the Xbox 360's Xbox Live], but with lots of exclusive interactive content, including gamer pics, themes, videos, galleries... stuff we can't do in print", but despite being announced in July 2007, this Xbox 360 product never appeared.