FirstPlay

FirstPlay was a digital video-game magazine created by Future Publishing in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Distributed through the PlayStation Store, it was designed as an on-console companion to the UK Official PlayStation Magazine and focused exclusively on PlayStation 3 games and related PlayStation Network content. Rather than appearing as a conventional print publication or a general web site, each issue was delivered as a weekly downloadable package that combined editorial video, game imagery, commentary and digital extras. The service grew out of Sony's plan for an on-console digital magazine for European PlayStation Network users. Sony and Future disclosed the broader project in 2008, following the launch of Qore, a similar subscription product for PlayStation users in North America. The European service was initially associated with the working name Official PlayStation Magazine HD, or OPMHD, before being formally presented as FirstPlay in February 2010. Its first episode became available on the PlayStation Store on 8 April 2010. Each episode was structured into four recurring areas: HD Reviews & Previews, Network Highlights, Featured Downloads and Screenshot Galleries. The first section supplied video reviews of recently released games and previews of forthcoming PlayStation 3 titles. Network Highlights covered PlayStation Network games, community material and other platform features, including selected user-created LittleBigPlanet levels. Screenshot Galleries presented still images from upcoming games with spoken commentary, while the Featured Downloads section offered changing digital extras such as game add-ons, PlayStation 3 themes, PlayStation Minis and other promotional or editorial content. Video material was produced in 720p and could be controlled through the PlayStation 3 interface using pause, rewind, fast-forward and skipping functions. Short advertisements could precede video features; after viewing five advertisements, users were allowed to skip them. The publication was assembled by a dedicated production team with editorial contributions from the Official PlayStation Magazine UK operation. Nathan Ditum served as associate editor, Matthew Elliott contributed as a writer, and Lucy Porter was the principal narrator. Rachel Weber and Niamh Shaw also presented selected episodes. FirstPlay initially operated only in the United Kingdom. It expanded to Ireland with its seventh episode on 19 May 2010, although the service did not achieve the broad European rollout that some users had expected. Episodes could be purchased individually or obtained through a discounted 90-day subscription. Viewer response was mixed at launch. Early criticism focused on the perceived amount of content, the availability and value of exclusive downloads, advertising and the limited geographic coverage. PlayStation Store ratings reportedly improved as the editorial format and production became more polished. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced in July 2011 that FirstPlay would be discontinued, with the episode released on 6 July 2011 serving as the final installment. The service had produced 64 episodes. Sony and Future planned a successor delivered through the PlayStation Store, but with a stronger emphasis on PlayStation Access events and free access rather than the original paid-magazine model. FirstPlay therefore represents an early attempt to turn a console storefront into a recurring, video-led editorial publication, combining magazine-style coverage with platform-exclusive downloads.

FirstPlay emerged from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's effort to create a digital magazine delivered directly through the PlayStation Network. In September 2008, Sony said it was working with Future Publishing on an on-console publication for European users. The project followed Qore, a comparable PlayStation digital magazine produced for the North American market. The European service was initially expected in early 2009 and was later associated with the working name Official PlayStation Magazine HD, or OPMHD. The product was formally announced as FirstPlay in February 2010 and launched on 8 April 2010 through the PlayStation Store. Future Publishing produced the service with support from the team behind the UK Official PlayStation Magazine, while Sony Computer Entertainment Europe supplied the platform relationship and PlayStation Network distribution. FirstPlay was initially limited to the United Kingdom and later became available in Ireland from its seventh episode on 19 May 2010. The publication used a weekly episode model. Customers could buy individual episodes or choose a discounted 90-day subscription. Each installment generally contained four editorial areas: HD Reviews & Previews, Network Highlights, Featured Downloads and Screenshot Galleries. Reviews and previews were delivered as 720p videos covering recently released and forthcoming PlayStation 3 games. Network Highlights varied from week to week and could include PlayStation Network game roundups, community material and selected user-created content. Screenshot Galleries combined images with spoken explanations and allowed users to zoom, pan and export images to the PlayStation 3 XMB. Featured Downloads supplied changing extras, including add-ons, themes, PlayStation Minis and other digital content. The editorial operation involved Nathan Ditum as associate editor and Matthew Elliott as a writer, with contributions from the Official PlayStation Magazine UK team. A separate production group handled filming, editing and technical preparation. Lucy Porter was the principal voice and presenter, while Rachel Weber and Niamh Shaw appeared in selected episodes. The video player was integrated with the PlayStation 3 viewing experience and supported pause, rewind, fast-forward and skipping. Short advertisements could appear before video segments, with the ability to skip them after a user had watched five. Audience response was initially mixed. Some users considered the early episodes too limited in volume, questioned the value or consistency of the promised exclusive downloads and criticized the restriction to a small number of territories. Store ratings cited in contemporary descriptions were lower for the earliest episodes but improved as the writing, structure and amount of content developed. Even with that improvement, FirstPlay did not broaden across Europe as extensively as some users anticipated. In July 2011, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced that FirstPlay would be discontinued. The 6 July 2011 episode was the final release, bringing the run to 64 episodes. Sony indicated that a replacement service would be produced by Future and distributed through the PlayStation Store, but that the successor would be free and would focus more heavily on PlayStation Access events. FirstPlay's short life made it an early example of a console-native editorial product: it combined the recurring cadence of a magazine with streaming-style video, storefront distribution and platform-specific digital incentives.

• 2011

  Final episode and service closure

  [1]FirstPlayen.wikipedia.org

  The episode released on 6 July is the 64th and final FirstPlay installment. Sony announces plans for a successor centered on PlayStation Access.

• 2010

  FirstPlay is formally announced

  [1]FirstPlayen.wikipedia.org

  The service is publicly introduced under the FirstPlay name and scheduled for a spring launch.

• 2010

  First episode released

  [1]FirstPlayen.wikipedia.org

  FirstPlay debuts on the PlayStation Store on 8 April as a weekly paid digital magazine for PlayStation 3 users.

• 2010

  Irish market added

  [1]FirstPlayen.wikipedia.org

  The service expands beyond the United Kingdom to Ireland with its seventh episode on 19 May.

• 2009

  The project is identified as Official PlayStation Magazine HD

  [1]FirstPlayen.wikipedia.org

  A Future Publishing job listing reveals the working title Official PlayStation Magazine HD, commonly shortened to OPMHD.

• 2008

  Sony announces a European on-console digital magazine project

  [1]FirstPlayen.wikipedia.org

  Sony Computer Entertainment announces a collaboration with Future Publishing to develop a digital magazine for European PlayStation Network users.

A premium, video-led on-console magazine for PlayStation 3 users, positioned between a traditional games publication and a PlayStation Network content service.

• Digital video-game magazine · 2010

  FirstPlay weekly episodes

  The core product was a recurring downloadable issue distributed through the PlayStation Store. Each episode combined 720p game reviews and previews, PlayStation Network features, narrated screenshot galleries and a rotating collection of digital downloads. Users could purchase individual episodes or subscribe for 90 days at a reduced rate. The format was built specifically for PlayStation 3 playback and used the console's standard video controls.

• Digital content · 2010

  Featured Downloads

  Featured Downloads was one of the four recurring editorial sections. Its contents changed by episode and could include free add-ons for retail games, PlayStation 3 XMB themes, PlayStation Minis and other promotional or editorial digital material. The section was intended to distinguish FirstPlay from a conventional video magazine by linking its coverage to downloadable PlayStation content.

• 2011

  Discontinue FirstPlay and plan a PlayStation Access successorStrategy

  Background

  Sony Computer Entertainment Europe decided to end the paid weekly magazine after the 6 July episode.

  Action taken

  Sony announced that Future would produce a replacement service for the PlayStation Store, with greater emphasis on PlayStation Access events and free distribution.

  Aftermath

  FirstPlay ended after 64 episodes and became a discontinued example of a console-native editorial subscription product.

  Source

• 2010

  Launch FirstPlay as a paid weekly PlayStation Store magazineProduct launch

  Background

  Sony and Future sought to adapt the digital-magazine concept used by Qore for European PlayStation Network users while drawing on the editorial identity of the UK Official PlayStation Magazine.

  Action taken

  The partners released weekly PlayStation 3-focused episodes, sold individually or through a discounted 90-day subscription, and combined video journalism with screenshots and downloadable extras.

  Aftermath

  The service expanded to Ireland and eventually produced 64 episodes, but early audience criticism focused on limited content, exclusive-download expectations and restricted geographic availability.

  Source

1. 1FirstPlayen.wikipedia.org