In recent months I've been able to experience the PS Store. Since my main console of choice at the moment is still the Xbox 360, I can't help but compare the two online stores to hopefully come to a decision on which is better. It also has to be said that the version of the PSN that I'm using happens to be on the Vita, so the features of the network are limited by a mobile version so I won't be comparing the Xbox Live features to the PSN ones, that just won't work with the discrepancies in the versions. Hence, we'll just talk about the shopping experience.
I think the biggest item on everyone's mind when it comes right down to it is the price of the games. Full-fledged video games, those released in stores and as a downloadables, are priced the same as what they are in stores. A brand-new 360 game hits the $60 price range while a PSVita game lands at about $40. Since both networks seem to price their download games at the same rate, equal to that of a physical copy, neither have an advantage. However, when we come down to the prices of other games, things change. Advantage: Neither
On the Vita there's the option to download full PSP games, the prices on these range from $5-30 depending on how recent the release was. The most common games hit the $10-15 amount. When we look at how the 360 compares, we see that the original Xbox games that are out there don't get quite as low priced as the PSP games. Though we're looking at the difference between a console game and a portable game, I still think that the PSN gets the advantage here. I'd much rather get FFT for $10 than some crappy original Xbox game like Prince of Persia. Advantage: PSN
I want to talk about Apps even though the Xbox 360 is a console and the Vita is a new mobile device. Essentially I'd just like to compare Netflix, since both systems have that as an option. Neither really beats the other, Netflix is Netflix, and I'm sure we'd see the same when we compare the two Facebook apps to one another. Advantage: Neither
Let's now talk about Safety and Security... The PSN track record is awful, we all know that. I've had my Xbox Live account hacked into though, while my PSN account is still perfectly fine. Even though my Live experience has been worse than my PS Store one, I have to give the advantage to the Marketplace here. Even when I had problems, my issues were resolved successfully with my money being returned within a two week time period. On top of all of that I got a free month of Xbox Live for the issue. The PSNs recurring issues and vulnerabilities are just too much. Advantage: Xbox Live
How the Marketplace is organized is pretty aggravating. You have to figure out what category the game you want is in; Indie, Arcade, full, etc; and then navigate there to find it. The PS Store is essentially the same way, so there's really no deviation between the two. I find that both frustrate me unless I know exactly where I'm going, and browsing is usually out of the question. Advantage: Neither
Last, but not least, let's talk about content. What do both of these network stores contain? Obviously we're looking at games the whole time, but what kind of games? The PS Store has cross-play, PSP, PSVita and Mini games. The Marketplace has Arcade and Full. Now, the PSN may have some more variety, but the Arcade for Xbox Live is a powerhouse for games like The Simpsons and X-Men. However, both systems have a large amount of Indie games, and I hate Indie games...violently hate them. So with the Indie games balancing out, I have to give the Marketplace kudos for content; bringing back awesome Arcade titles just can't be beat. Advantage: Xbox Live
Okay, so I can't come up with a clear winner, but, hey, who cares? I'll have fun getting demos and games from both of the networks and take advantage of the best of both worlds. Did you really think there'd be a different outcome?
On the Vita there's the option to download full PSP games, the prices on these range from $5-30 depending on how recent the release was. The most common games hit the $10-15 amount. When we look at how the 360 compares, we see that the original Xbox games that are out there don't get quite as low priced as the PSP games. Though we're looking at the difference between a console game and a portable game, I still think that the PSN gets the advantage here. I'd much rather get FFT for $10 than some crappy original Xbox game like Prince of Persia. Advantage: PSN
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| PS Store on the Vita. |
Let's now talk about Safety and Security... The PSN track record is awful, we all know that. I've had my Xbox Live account hacked into though, while my PSN account is still perfectly fine. Even though my Live experience has been worse than my PS Store one, I have to give the advantage to the Marketplace here. Even when I had problems, my issues were resolved successfully with my money being returned within a two week time period. On top of all of that I got a free month of Xbox Live for the issue. The PSNs recurring issues and vulnerabilities are just too much. Advantage: Xbox Live
How the Marketplace is organized is pretty aggravating. You have to figure out what category the game you want is in; Indie, Arcade, full, etc; and then navigate there to find it. The PS Store is essentially the same way, so there's really no deviation between the two. I find that both frustrate me unless I know exactly where I'm going, and browsing is usually out of the question. Advantage: Neither
Last, but not least, let's talk about content. What do both of these network stores contain? Obviously we're looking at games the whole time, but what kind of games? The PS Store has cross-play, PSP, PSVita and Mini games. The Marketplace has Arcade and Full. Now, the PSN may have some more variety, but the Arcade for Xbox Live is a powerhouse for games like The Simpsons and X-Men. However, both systems have a large amount of Indie games, and I hate Indie games...violently hate them. So with the Indie games balancing out, I have to give the Marketplace kudos for content; bringing back awesome Arcade titles just can't be beat. Advantage: Xbox Live
Okay, so I can't come up with a clear winner, but, hey, who cares? I'll have fun getting demos and games from both of the networks and take advantage of the best of both worlds. Did you really think there'd be a different outcome?
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