industry news
PS3 Gets Premium Themes Tomorrow
Posted by Mike Fahey at 3:20 PM on October 9, 2008
Along with the normal cornucopia of contest dropping with the PlayStation Network tomorrow, Sony is kicking off a brand-new feature for those of you looking for a new way to spend your hard-earned cash customising your console. Premium themes are special themes that you can purchase that contain especially high-quality graphics, customised buttons, and in some cases even special sounds. Since premium themes cost money, a preview will be available for each selection before the purchase is completed.
Sony plans on releasing 6-10 new premium themes per month, giving PS3 owners ample opportunities to pay good money for something you should ideally hardly ever see. Hit the jump for a few more examples, including a rather attractive BioShock offering that I am seriously considering picking up.
New Premium Theme Options on PlayStation Store [PlayStation Blog]





Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
strawberrycream
Posted 12:44 PM 9/10/08
@QualityJeverage: That's the one thing that bugged me the most about the 360's dashboard themes. You throw down your 120 points or whatever, only to find that they look terrible.
strawberrycream
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
Posted 12:43 PM 9/10/08
@trogam: @zanzibarlegend: not a problem dudes. I've gotten an awesome Crow theme, Heavenly Sword, Socom, Batman, Joker (heath ledger) and a number of other great themes from that site that are better than many we've gotten for free from sony. All fan made. Just remember to go through the PS3 browser.
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
maravi
Posted 12:42 PM 9/10/08
@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.: The technical term for them is "fanboys."
Same people crying over Tekken 6 as we speak.
maravi
SnakesSolids
Posted 12:42 PM 9/10/08
@dojita:
Touche. I'll bite on that, or a Ghostbusters theme.
SnakesSolids
Sparx
Posted 12:42 PM 9/10/08
@Naaloq:
actually that was included on the blog: "They have content offerings that range in type from NCAA College licenses to beauties on the beach to original cartoons and anime"
Sparx
Ravaged
Posted 12:41 PM 9/10/08
@FP_slomo788: I've seen PSN games, interactive artwork (Flow, Eden, Like I said "interactive artwork")that only a pathetic stoner high off his gord could enjoy. But maybe thats the problem, I'm an old school gamer, and your an addict who likes to make the pretty pictures loop
Ravaged
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
Posted 12:40 PM 9/10/08
Some of you people crack me up. Playing online on PS3 is still free. Match making, dedicated servers, P2P...it's all free. Qore, Premium themes, etc are optional but doesn't affect your ability to play online, on PS3...for free. What kind of an idiot jerk off douchebag expects everything on PSN to be free of charge?
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
Rectangle
Posted 12:40 PM 9/10/08
@Moonshadow101: They're coming with the fall dashboard update. It has already been announced.
Plus some of the new themes will be subtly animated.
Rectangle
Rinaldus
Posted 12:40 PM 9/10/08
@QualityJeverage: Agreed, still a little bummed that its happened. I won't be buying, Modus does an amazing job on his free themes. I'll just use his.
Rinaldus
Parsifal
Posted 12:39 PM 9/10/08
@Moonshadow101: There's a fanboy comment to be made here about "ha ha, and you laughed because MS makes you buy them on Live.". The truth is that for the PS3 you can make your own and download free ones made from other people. And beyond that you get previews of what your getting. On the Xbox (at least at time of posting) you just buy and cross your fingers that what you're getting isn't crap.
For the record I do not have a PS3 because I just don't like the company behind it or feel the need to get one. I game on a X360 and love the general Live experience. I do know there are websites where you can take a look at Live themes without buying but those are third party. This is Sony providing the feature for free and would definitely like it if Microsoft implemented that feature as well.
Also, I still think Qore is lame:P
Parsifal
maravi
Posted 12:38 PM 9/10/08
Who's the red-headed chick in the top theme? Is that a character I should be familiar with?
maravi
Foxstar Sixtail
Posted 12:37 PM 9/10/08
@FP_slomo788:The added cost to run a server, compared to peer to peer means it may very well be more viable for a developer to stick to Live compared to PSN. There's also other issues, but they are well noted.
@SnakesSolids:If your going to hold a viable debate, don't use M$. As wiser then me have said "It makes you look like a grand tool among all the other tools."
Someone, I need the PA comic about the use of it, along with Tycho's musings stat.
Foxstar Sixtail
CockneyKaiser
Posted 12:34 PM 9/10/08
As long as Sony don't remove the feature allowing you to import user-created themes what's the problem? That was rhetorical by the way, as clearly there isn't one. These are optional extras, which some people may deem worthy of paying for. I will continue to download my themes for free from the web.
CockneyKaiser
FP_slomo788
Posted 12:33 PM 9/10/08
@SnakesSolids: Yeah, themes.
FP_slomo788
dojita
Posted 12:32 PM 9/10/08
that ps3 themes site so far is much better, and they are free.. but i think that on oct 21, they'll roll out a LBP theme, and everyone will instantly devour it.
dojita
FP_slomo788
Posted 12:32 PM 9/10/08
@Ravaged: I don't know what you think Sony is lacking and what is the ideal you're comparing it to, but I think it's pretty much admitted everywhere that PSN is full of games. Don't believe me? Go see.
FP_slomo788
SnakesSolids
Posted 12:32 PM 9/10/08
@Ravaged:
Speaking of interactive artwork, don't we get Linger in Shadows tomorrow? For free?
SnakesSolids
Naaloq
Posted 12:32 PM 9/10/08
@trogam: Though i payed for the year subscription of Qore, i do think its overpriced after boasting the free online experience.
The price of the premium themes are good, i think, since a person will probably need only 2 or 3 over the span of the system, if that. there are alot of very nice themes that are free; i personally love the graffiti theme. And i think the ability to make custom themes gives them the right to make priced themes, because if you dont want to pay, they allow you to make your own.
Naaloq
SnakesSolids
Posted 12:31 PM 9/10/08
@Foxstar Sixtail:
There may be only a smattering of games for the PS3 but, I'm pretty sure all of them work online. Well the ones that have multiplayer anyway. As far as the M$ moniker is concerned, they have painted that on themselves by charging extra for: online play, WiFi, Hard Drive, wireless rechargeable controllers,HD video player um, am I missing anything else that you get upcharged for from M$?
SnakesSolids
neoraul20
Posted 12:31 PM 9/10/08
@agdTinMan: HAHA, we can get thousands for free, or if we want we can create our own, as good as these ones. Keep paying....
neoraul20
daftpunkadie
Posted 12:30 PM 9/10/08
them ones look naff, but its a good idea
daftpunkadie
FP_slomo788
Posted 12:30 PM 9/10/08
@Foxstar Sixtail: Since when do we care about what developers pay to put out a game? Are you EA or Foxstar Sixtail, a gamer?
Also, what game in the past year and a half has not worked on PSN?
Home is a free service, where you pay for extra things, like any other MMO/virtual world. There is nothing like it to compare with on XBL so I don't even see the point in comparing. Free themes are still available and at least you get to preview what you're buying...
FP_slomo788
smuai
Posted 12:29 PM 9/10/08
... what the hell's the gripe? it's not like they're forcing you to buy the themes. if money's that tight, you'll find some way around the $1.99 price tag. either find a background that's free or don't worry about the theme. see what i did? i came up with an idea (TWO, EVEN!) and it sure as hell was easier than pissing and moaning over $1.99
smuai
locos85
Posted 12:28 PM 9/10/08
@agdTinMan:
not really, I still get thousands of themes free.... how many can you??
locos85
Ravaged
Posted 12:28 PM 9/10/08
@FP_slomo788: There are a lot of things Lacking with Sony right now, would you like me to rant on about those things too?
Ravaged
wocyob
Posted 12:28 PM 9/10/08
@trogam: well said trogam
wocyob
FP_slomo788
Posted 12:27 PM 9/10/08
@SnakesSolids: They never hid anything about their goal to make money off of Home, just like any other virtual world, so I fail to see the "surprise" you seem to be hinting at regarding that. And as long as we get free custom themes and online play, I don't see the problem with this, especially if it helps them keep those two free.
FP_slomo788
Naaloq
Posted 12:27 PM 9/10/08
@Ruisu: Thank god they wont.
Naaloq
fuchikoma
Posted 12:26 PM 9/10/08
I've seen these on Japanese PSN for a while now... I will never EVER buy a skin for something.
fuchikoma
locos85
Posted 12:26 PM 9/10/08
@Datheron:
you can DL them right from the PS3 web browser. allps3themes.com
locos85
wocyob
Posted 12:25 PM 9/10/08
@agdTinMan: not really... we can still say we can get free themes still hahaha..
so nice try with that...
wocyob
Foxstar Sixtail
Posted 12:25 PM 9/10/08
@SnakesSolids:You can make all the cute little M$ symbols you want, but at least every single game works with Live, not a smattering. Also keep in mind PSN is only free if the developer of the game sets up and pays for a server for that game.
Home is going to be loaded with nickle, dime and dollar things, it's the whole point behind it.
Foxstar Sixtail
You Are My Friend!
Posted 12:25 PM 9/10/08
@agdTinMan: It's actually not, but hey, whatever.
You Are My Friend!
FP_slomo788
Posted 12:25 PM 9/10/08
@Ravaged: Yeah, because PSN games is exactly what's lacking right now.
FP_slomo788
enewtabie(Future LittleBigPlanet Master Creationist)
Posted 12:24 PM 9/10/08
@GViper:
No,it's called choice.The only people who have a problem with this are the fanboys who need to chime in or try to make it into something it's not.Your still getting regular themes on the store for free.
enewtabie(Future LittleBigPlanet Master Creationist)
gunstarhero
Posted 12:24 PM 9/10/08
lame, because there are plenty of user created themes with "high quality images" with customized buttons and even sounds ala a previous update allowed. www.psu.com for a good start
gunstarhero
Ravaged
Posted 12:22 PM 9/10/08
WOW!! I'm so glad Sony dosen't push selling me games on the PSN, but instead offers me convienent "INTERACTIVE ARTWORK" for me to buy. Would it really kill them to just sell me a game. Since launch the only games I've bothered to purchase are Medievil (which dosen't count, it's a PS1 game). And Mega Man 9. Every other system seems to understand players want games. A game system with games? What a concept.
Ravaged
SnakesSolids
Posted 12:21 PM 9/10/08
This is just the start. If you think Sony is starting to nickel and dime you now, wait till Home comes out.
But at least we still get online gaming for free. Haha M$.
SnakesSolids
mind in rewind
Posted 12:20 PM 9/10/08
@ModernDevil: I have a nice LBP theme. It was free.
mind in rewind
Wolfers
Posted 12:20 PM 9/10/08
@synchra: It seems to switch for me at random, but I like it :)
Wolfers
trogam
Posted 12:20 PM 9/10/08
@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.: Yup, thanks for the link!
trogam
WatershipDown
Posted 12:19 PM 9/10/08
Hands up if anyone here knew you can use any picture you want as your background on the Xbox Dashboard right now... for free.
WatershipDown
Moonshadow101
Posted 12:19 PM 9/10/08
I want to say something bad about Sony here, but instead all I can think is...
WHERE THE HELL ARE MY PREVIEWS, MICROSOFT?
Moonshadow101
trogam
Posted 12:19 PM 9/10/08
@GViper: ...but I can still play SCIV online without extra cost! The argument becomes null and void once you buy the extra stuff, but if you can live without Qore, special demos, then you're fine and the argument is still very much valid.
trogam
zanzibarlegend
Posted 12:19 PM 9/10/08
@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.:thanks
:)
zanzibarlegend
MetaKz
Posted 12:19 PM 9/10/08
Hm, interesting. So far I have only gotten my ps3 themes from www.psu.com. Just go there through your ps3 browser and find what you want :)
A lot of them are crappy though. What do you expect though, they're unofficial. Some are pretty nice, so it's all good. Hopefully these other things are only a dollar or whatever.
Goodluck!
MetaKz
Aex
Posted 12:19 PM 9/10/08
Personally, I like my themes nice and free, but if people feel certain themes are worth paying for, then more power to them.
Aex
agdTinMan
Posted 12:18 PM 9/10/08
There's one less thing sony fanboys can try and hold over the heads of xbox owners.
agdTinMan
synchra
Posted 12:16 PM 9/10/08
you can already get ones with customized buttons and even sounds for free right now. haha. Like the Ratchet and Clank Future Quest for Booty one. It even changes the background if you beat the game!
synchra
ModernDevil
Posted 12:16 PM 9/10/08
not impressed so far. But if they came out with a LBP theme of any quality, I'm likely to get it. Cuz I'm a weak like that. It's really bad.
ModernDevil
geoffwk
Posted 12:15 PM 9/10/08
slightly off topic but wow i never understood xbox live charges for pictures you can get off google for free
geoffwk
GViper
Posted 12:14 PM 9/10/08
Premium demos and subscription, and now premium themes.
The "But it's free" argument is now null and void.
GViper
mind in rewind
Posted 12:13 PM 9/10/08
I'll keep making my own, thanks.
But damn, that Bioshock one is nice.
mind in rewind
Datheron
Posted 12:11 PM 9/10/08
@trogam: Yea, you can d/l PS3 themes and copy them over via a USB stick or SD card. Some pretty good ones too.
That said, people do pay for backgrounds, just like ringtones, XBox 360 themes, phone wallpapers...
Datheron
tok1879
Posted 12:10 PM 9/10/08
they just keep chipping away what they have over live. Who knows maybe soon, they'll start to charge to play online.
tok1879
Darkest Daze
Posted 12:10 PM 9/10/08
@QualityJeverage: My thoughts exactly
Darkest Daze
wocyob
Posted 12:10 PM 9/10/08
the prices are from $.99 to $1.99 they said on the blog
wocyob
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
Posted 12:09 PM 9/10/08
www.ps3-themes.com For all of your custom theme needs and they're free.
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
Maldron
Posted 12:07 PM 9/10/08
I am aware of nothing that will prevent people from simply replicating these for free by getching each of these images on their own. And seriously, even if they can't replicate the Sound element, that's worth the difference between purchase price and free.
Maldron
ChaoticInfinityX
Posted 12:07 PM 9/10/08
I don't know about this... anyone who cares enough about high end XMB themes will probably already be somewhat into the several hundreds already available for free online by other users.
ChaoticInfinityX
Ruisu
Posted 12:06 PM 9/10/08
They do look great I'll buy one if they make some anime themed Themes.
Ruisu
97gsx
Posted 12:05 PM 9/10/08
Yea we need premium games tomorrow not themes.
97gsx
psycoking
Posted 12:05 PM 9/10/08
When did PSN become XBox Live? Hey can we get icon packs too? [/sarcasm]
psycoking
Mpalm.
Posted 12:04 PM 9/10/08
E tu sony?
Mpalm.
trogam
Posted 12:04 PM 9/10/08
If the price is right (ie: under 2 bucks) then some of the better ones may be nice. Though, I then remember it is possible to make one's own themes complete with awesome background, icons, sound (Not sure...but lets say yes for now) in order to replicate some of these. So then the price comes down to, the only way in hell I'm purchasing on of these glorified desktop backgrounds is if they are free.
They do look nice though.
trogam
Daisuash
Posted 12:04 PM 9/10/08
Yeah, i´ll check them out, let´s hope they´re cheap...
Daisuash
QualityJeverage
Posted 12:03 PM 9/10/08
*sigh*
Well, at least they were smart enough to allow previews.
QualityJeverage
SnakesSolids
Posted 1:05 PM 9/10/08
@Simple_Man:
No, the red is the reflection from his fourth 360 red-ringing on him.
I kid, I kid.
SnakesSolids
Neko_Tech
Posted 1:05 PM 9/10/08
I'm still waiting on animation (GIF) type of background and icons before I ever jump into their lap.
Well I hope this doesn't limit to only to the account that purchased it since some PSN purchase is like that.
I have several sub/accounts one for main gaming, one for purchase only, one for downloading demos and other crap that will otherwise show up on download history, one for game sharing, others are foreign accounts.
I wish Sony and MS would categorize the download history so I don't have to look at other non purchased games with temporary crap that I just want to use once or twice. Until then must keep track of all of my accounts and emails, such a headache.
Neko_Tech
DrunkRaba
Posted 1:04 PM 9/10/08
@QualityJeverage: thats what annoyed me the most about the 360 themes as well.@strawberrycream: exactly what I was thinking, it pisses you off a bit.
DrunkRaba
Ungruntled
Posted 1:03 PM 9/10/08
Hmm, Bioshock theme looks nice but really, it's only the wallpaper I'd be after... I hate it when icons are irrelevant to their purpose. Hate it!
This would be a better system if they let users upload their themes and then got paid a percentage for each time they are downloaded. Now that would interest me. This... not so much.
Ungruntled
Simple_Man
Posted 1:01 PM 9/10/08
The red guy looks like he's going 'Fuck, I just spent my money on this ugly-ass theme, fuck.'
Simple_Man
FP_slomo788
Posted 12:59 PM 9/10/08
@Foxstar Sixtail: So far, I haven't seen a difference in quality because of that. There were discrepancies at first, I agree, but with every new game playing on PSN gets closer and closer to the ideal online PC gaming. Even in-game communication is standard now! If I were using XBL I'd be more concerned about making MS drop the fee than foreseeing Sony screwing up/charging for PSN.
FP_slomo788
Vault
Posted 12:58 PM 9/10/08
@Ruisu: I don't see why anyone would buy them, there's free unofficial ones all over the web. Google wisely and it will save you 2 bucks.
Vault
FP_slomo788
Posted 12:56 PM 9/10/08
@Ravaged: Wow I'm disappointed. It's been a while since I've seen someone resort to name-calling so quick in an argument on Kotaku. I'd suggest a few games that an old school gamer (although your last post makes me question the "old" here) might enjoy but what could a stoner like me know?
FP_slomo788
D3m0n1k_Ang3l
Posted 12:56 PM 9/10/08
That bioshock one is pretty awesome, might eventually pick it up myself.
D3m0n1k_Ang3l
Mister_Jack
Posted 12:53 PM 9/10/08
@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.: Also, you actually get to preview the themes before you drop your cash on them.
Mister_Jack
Rectangle
Posted 12:53 PM 9/10/08
@V1L3: Just browse to any photo on your 360 and hit "X". Boom, custom wallpaper.
The photo can be on a flash drive, hard drive, or even on your home network, shared by DLNA. Piece of cake.
Rectangle
Scott3D
Posted 12:52 PM 9/10/08
el oh el.
Whenever sony charges for something on PS3 the little ms fanboys start getting antsy. There are still free themes, we all have the theme creator from Sony, We still pay nothing to play online.
Shut your mouths and go pay $50 to play online and buy a couple gamer pics while you're at it
Scott3D
SnakesSolids
Posted 12:49 PM 9/10/08
@Ravaged:
Wow harsh. Actually, I'm a stoner, (well an ocassional toker anyway) and I found flow to be kinda boring. Eden, on the other hand, was great. You're crazy.
SnakesSolids
Glare
Posted 12:49 PM 9/10/08
But why would we have to pay? That's stupid.
Glare
Vectortuff
Posted 12:48 PM 9/10/08
id rather have capability for open source code to create my own theme and do whatever the hell i want to my console.
Vectortuff
MyLittlePwny
Posted 12:48 PM 9/10/08
Bastardos!
MyLittlePwny
V1L3
Posted 12:47 PM 9/10/08
@tok1879: Did I miss the part where they removed the ability to have custom themes/wallpaper?
Or when Xbox live added them?
God, I must be so out of the loop.
V1L3
SnakesSolids
Posted 12:46 PM 9/10/08
@Foxstar Sixtail:
Sometimes I can't help using 'internet-isms' like lulz and M$. Look, $ony!
$ee?
SnakesSolids
trogam
Posted 12:45 PM 9/10/08
@Naaloq: That is an excellent point sir and it would be a whole different issue if we weren't able to make our own.
I guess since thus far I've only really used the MGS4 and Mirrors Edge themes, (besides the default), I don't see the point in paying for something I may change on a whim.
trogam
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
Posted 1:29 PM 9/10/08
@Vectortuff: dude you don't need source code. Sony has already provided the tools to make your own custom themes months ago. How do you think sites like Ps3-themes.com exist?
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
Posted 1:28 PM 9/10/08
@EnigmaNemesis: exactly. Fanboys kill me. I have over 2000 images in photos on my PS3HDD and a lot that I could use for backgrounds for themes...I'll never have a shortage of custom themes just like many of you. Hell, I can even make smut themes.
Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.
Foxstar Sixtail
Posted 1:27 PM 9/10/08
@Comatose Turtle:Thank you dear sir.
Foxstar Sixtail
Comatose Turtle
Posted 1:22 PM 9/10/08
@Foxstar Sixtail: [www.penny-arcade.com]
I don't know why the hell I have to post this. Find your own Penny Arcade comics!
Crap, but I already did it, didn't I.
Gaaahh, all the console wars in here are making my brain hurt. I need to go kill something.
Comatose Turtle
Rectangle
Posted 1:22 PM 9/10/08
@Naaloq: They announced it at PAX on September 1st.
[www.xbox360fanboy.com]
"Dashboard themes will now instantly load a preview when hovered over. And, as an added bonus, the preview loading effect is sexy as hell."
They even show a picture of the preview in the first photo from the themes update from 2 weeks ago:
[gamerscoreblog.com]
And they announced the animation at the same time:
"Every graphic on each channel will tie into your theme and change if you choose a different one. You can really see this on the Friends Channel - each of your friends' Avatars will stand next to a different graphic or environment. These graphics will match the theme you choose and will change dynamically as you navigate from channel to channel. But that's not all; the themes will be subtly animated. This is some pretty cool stuff when you see it."
But yeah, good timing, 5 weeks before Sony announced anything. :)
Rectangle
Naaloq
Posted 1:22 PM 9/10/08
@Scott3D: Something thats been brought up on a few podcasts: does the ps3 allow users to use their own pictures as their avatar? Im lead to believe the 360 allows this, and its something Sony needs to look into.
Naaloq
EnigmaNemesis
Posted 1:20 PM 9/10/08
@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.:
Not to mention comparing pictures turned into wallpapers, to themes on the PS3.
In which there is still many and will be many for free, plus free wallpapers, plus all the custom ones you can do yourself with sounds, icons, pictures, animations ... or can download.
EnigmaNemesis
ruba-dub-dub
Posted 1:18 PM 9/10/08
@geoffwk: not pictures, themes.
you know, like every time you change a menu, new picture. that is what a THEME is. of course you can find ONE picture, but you will only use that ONE picture for all menus.
ruba-dub-dub
EnigmaNemesis
Posted 1:17 PM 9/10/08
@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.:
Many thanks!
EnigmaNemesis
ruba-dub-dub
Posted 1:15 PM 9/10/08
@psycoking: screw icons, i want 8 person chat on PS3!
ruba-dub-dub
Naaloq
Posted 1:13 PM 9/10/08
@Rectangle: yeah, this is good timing to microsoft to add this for the new dashboard really quick, if it wasnt already. and if not, theres no way theyll look at this and say "no we'll stick with not having previews"
Naaloq
GummyTumor
Posted 1:09 PM 9/10/08
Those look hideous! I don't think anything's ever going to trump the pink Pixel Junk Eden theme for me.
GummyTumor
Shocky
Posted 1:08 PM 9/10/08
I absolutely have to have the wallpaper in that bioshock one.
I think I almost died on the inside seeing it.
And everyone knows my blatant obsession with that game.
SOMEONE HELP ME!
Shocky
DrunkRaba
Posted 1:07 PM 9/10/08
@Rectangle: I think he meant sounds and Icons even, something a simple wallpaper does not do either on the 360 or PS3.
DrunkRaba
Sollus
Posted 1:51 PM 9/10/08
Give me an especially awesome Metal Gear or Uncharted Theme and I'll buy one.
Sollus
Tyber_Zann
Posted 1:51 PM 9/10/08
This is for real? Hell, I've gotten way cooler themes from various websites and user-created content. Oh yeah, and it was free. The way it should be.
Please, if you're going to burn a few bucks, send it my way. I'll kick you in the groin and laugh, and I guarantee it'll have been better spent than on this crap.
Tyber_Zann
acez2087
Posted 1:47 PM 9/10/08
Ladies and gentlemen, this is JUST the beginning. Premium themes lead to premium content and inevitably lead to premium services. I.E. "Sony is now offering a Premium Online Membership for only $9.95 per month!. Join the thousands of people across the globe today with our limited online features available exclusively to members!"...*sigh*...Thanks Hirai.
acez2087
lordofsword
Posted 1:46 PM 9/10/08
the things these console companies think they can charge you for is getting ridiculous. all these things have been free on the PC since the internet first opened its tubes to the public, and still are today, with some services (like steam) beating anything these companies charge us for. obviously they want to make as much money as possible but when you're charged for a 512x512 texture that is a new costume, or MS charging to play online as if that even costs them anything, something has gone wrong.
lordofsword
zPhreak
Posted 2:04 PM 9/10/08
@Scott3D: There are free themes & gamer pics on XBL too. Some games even come with them.
zPhreak
incredibilistic
Posted 2:00 PM 9/10/08
If Sony really wants to offer something others can't make themselves they'll start offering animated backdrops. Why is it that the "smoke ribbon" can flow in the background but all the other themes are static wallpapers?
Why not a setting that shows time of day based on your clock with a setting sun, rising moon and maybe a horizon line with trees slightly blowing in the wind and some silhouettes of birds flying by. Nothing fancy that would bring the system to its knees but we should be able to get something other than static backdrops.
I'm all for paying for premium themes but honestly, I've been stuck on the standard theme because some of the themes you download don't have icons for everything (like the trophy icon).
I also don't have an HDTV yet (waiting for tax season so I can get what I REALLY want) so for me most of themes are a waste on my SDTV.
incredibilistic
Mikey G
Posted 1:57 PM 9/10/08
@acez2087: Do NOT jinx it Patrick, or I swear by the almighty fires of Sigma Octanus IV; I shall SMITE you!
Mikey G
Spoony
Posted 1:55 PM 9/10/08
@QualityJeverage: Well what the kotaku article left out is that these Premium themes are just better. They confirmed that there will still be free themes offered as well and of course user generated ones.
I don't mind this that much since there is still the option for official free ones. If they all have a complete overhaul of sounds, icons, HD background images that change (like some of them did). Then i could see the 2 dollar price tag on them as they take time to make right so they gotta pay that person's salary somehow.
Spoony
DXY!
Posted 2:16 PM 9/10/08
I've got a fantastic OSX theme for my PS3. If they wanted to start charging people for themes, they probably shouldn't have let you download custom themes for free in the first place.
I think we'll see the openness of the PS3 get narrower and narrower as they realize all the money they aren't making, while Microsoft charges out the ass for everything!
DXY!
Blah8
Posted 2:41 PM 9/10/08
I think I'll just wait until someone modifies the themes and re-releases them independently or something. There's a ton of custom themes out there that are pretty good as it is - I don't think it's worth it to pay for some additional sound effects...
Blah8
90sKid
Posted 3:14 PM 9/10/08
@agdTinMan: So PS3 people = fanboys. X360 people = owners and proud supporters of the fin American way?
And you're wrong.
90sKid
Ambiguous Blob 2.0
Posted 3:07 PM 9/10/08
Does anyone know if any of them will be animated (think cell phone themes)?
Ambiguous Blob 2.0
bobtheduck
Posted 3:25 PM 9/10/08
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaa
When I can get whatever theme I want for free, this is like charging for water *takes a sip of his aquafina*
bobtheduck
bkchurch
Posted 5:10 PM 9/10/08
There are a ton of very very well done user created themes online right now that you can download directly from your PS3 web browser that have high quality graphics, special icons, and custom sounds. Why in hell would anyone pay money for them?
bkchurch
Garo
Posted 5:27 PM 9/10/08
Not interested. There are enough free custom themes on the web.
Garo
gnudna
Posted 5:51 PM 9/10/08
I love how people say say There is one less thing Sony fanboys can hold over xbox fanboys head.. Its funny cause the xbox fanboys buying these themes has spurred sony into collecting prices for dumb ideas. Themes should be free on all platforms unless developed by a 3rd company that does just themes. Bioshock them should be free to promote the game since it is being re-released.
Im tired of this crap. Sony wants to make money charge for online then i can drop console gaming 100% without loosing sleep. Themes is not a feature im willing to pay for and well i like free online gaming. So keep dumping your adds into a game and shut up sony/MS.
Im in all honesty getting sick of these companies pretending to offer features to use when half the games are using peer2peer bypassing their servers except for the authentication part.
Good thing the majority is not educated and they can get away with this crap. And this goes to both camps since well we all loose in the end.
gnudna
duncypoo
Posted 6:21 PM 9/10/08
I'm happy to pay for premium themes. I love themes- they're awesome. But why can't we theme the god damn PSN icon?! It's just infuriating to have a lovely theme with this hideous, out of place icon.... Anyone know why that is?
duncypoo
Lemonade
Posted 8:39 PM 9/10/08
Erm you can already get better themes, online, for free...
Lemonade
DarkGeneral
Posted 9:34 PM 9/10/08
.....No. I'm not paying for themes. I won't be a sucker and pay for something i can get for free.
DarkGeneral
PapaBear434
Posted 9:42 PM 9/10/08
Good thing I can make those myself and never have to pay them for it.
PapaBear434
fadecy
Posted 10:14 PM 9/10/08
The only way any sane person would buy one of these would be if they had animated backgrounds or something.
fadecy
Zombie16[THC]
Posted 11:18 PM 9/10/08
Nobody buy this crap, it's for the good of mankind!
Zombie16[THC]
SeraphX2
Posted 12:34 AM 10/10/08
@QualityJeverage: Geez people, they never said they are going to stop making free ones. They are just going to have Premium ones as well.
SeraphX2
TKWarrior
Posted 1:15 AM 10/10/08
As long as Sony doesn't change their pricing structure, I don't care.
/rant on
One thing that always pissed me off to no end is the way Xbox live shop kept you in a cycle of overpaying for the same downloads, leaving you with spare points that you did not want in the first place. Most of the sales of those crappy themes were just gamers looking to get some false value of their loose points. So I hope this isn't a precursor to Sony following the same path.
Say you go into a store to buy a new game for $60, but the store only accepts $100 bills, and gives no change. Would you shop there? Sure you'll get $40 'store credit', but who knows when you'll actually want to purchase something from this store again?
If a $9.99 game is 800 'points', why can't we just buy 800 points? Can you imagine how many unused points are floating around xbox live? Millions - all pure profit for MS. The setup is ingenious, but very anti-consumer. Hence why Xbox live will only get more mony from me if its a worthwhile exclusive, otherwise PSN all the way.
/rant off - Sorry ;-)
TKWarrior
Rectangle
Posted 1:32 AM 10/10/08
I'll gladly leave extra points in my account because I get all of my points cards for around half price, anyway. The pluses of points (cards go on sale all the time) definitely outweigh the minuses.
Frankly, I could care less that I have 1040 points in my account and that nothing on Marketplace will use all of that. There is always something else I want to buy in the next week or month. Especially when Rock Band is involved. I have 5 1600 points cards ($100 worth) on my game shelf that I spent $50 on. Every Rock Band song costs me $1 or $0.50. instead of $2 or $1. If I don't have enough in my account to buy something, I just activate another card.
Rectangle
somarix
Posted 2:38 AM 10/10/08
Oh comeon guys. It's just like music/art: you've got some commercial songs, some freeware, some "opensource" (mod, midi, app-specific-projectfiles). You do not neglect the commercial songs, they can have some nice things you want. The freeware ones don't always suffice or have enough polish.
For $1 to $2, it's far from robbery. They get several serious and good artists to present some polished art for our customization purposes, and money is the best incentive for that. Otherwise, you stay hoping that some freelance artists spend their time on making great content for everybody - it's just not going to happen as rapidly!
By my tastes, the PSP "WipeoutHD" theme would be worth $5 if it wasn't free.
somarix
Pixelantes Anonymous
Posted 2:56 AM 10/10/08
If they're all going to be promotional crap, I'm not going to buy a single one.
However, if they are going to offer content created by real artists or user experience gurus that would actually enhance the XMB experience, then I'm going to take a serious look into these themes.
Pixelantes Anonymous
TSlade
Posted 4:14 AM 10/10/08
I pretty much just use my own pictures for wallpaper on the PS3 and the 360. Unless you're a HUGE fan of something, I think a theme is kind of a waste of money.
TSlade
y2kenjination
Posted 5:52 AM 10/10/08
SFIV, MGS4, or FFXIII premium themes, and I'm sold.
y2kenjination
Xtreme_Hindu_Cow
Posted 10:38 AM 10/10/08
this is a sign of crap. MS currently charges for their picture packs but ps3 lets you put any wallpapers you want behind your interface. now they want to find a way to charge just like the xbox. please don't sony.
Xtreme_Hindu_Cow
Desertwolf
Posted 12:52 PM 10/10/08
@Maldron: But then you'd be pirating someones theme.
Desertwolf
gencid
Posted 2:22 AM 11/10/08
It would be nice if we had some animated themes like the original default. Up to now themes largely meant wallpaper and buttons to me, but as long as they are free, I'm good with it. If they want people to pay for them, they better start making some animated backgrounds.
gencid
ChalkdustTorture
Posted 3:08 PM 9/10/08
@Rectangle: He was being sarcastic.
ChalkdustTorture
BunnyForce
Posted 8:54 AM 10/10/08
Ps3 Themes are worth it if it's for free
BunnyForce
Arthur-Otaku
Posted 8:49 AM 10/10/08
360 sucks miis from wii and ps3 sucks themes from 360. This is ctrl+c/ctrl+v mania!!!! Boring!!!!
Arthur-Otaku
ix13i
Posted 12:57 PM 9/10/08
@V1L3: Xbox Live has custom wallpaper. You can use any photo from any device including ones streamed from your computer - just 1 for all blades however. You definitely are out of the loop.
ix13i
astronautcowboy
Posted 12:16 PM 9/10/08
@QualityJeverage: XLBM doesn't, if I remember correctly. Is that right? Yeah, this is definitely a step in the right direction.
astronautcowboy
toadthetoad
Posted 2:25 PM 13/10/08
Wow...did no one else notice that the theme with the elf girl uses World of Warcraft's Burning Crusade logo as the background of the icons? Obviously you can't make it out in that little thumbnail but if you view the original size (available on the blog official flickr page, linked below) it is quite obvious. You can even still read "Burn" (you can read it twice, once backwards too, actually since they appear to have just cleared once half and then flipped it) from where it originally said "Burning Crusade"!
Note: Not the icons that go across, but the icons that go up and down.
If you don't believe me, look for yourself!
[www.flickr.com]
toadthetoad