MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
A new interactive magazine-cum-TV show has been unveiled by Future this morning – and it’s exclusive to PS3.
FirstPlay is an extension of Future’s established relationship with format-holder Sony and includes content produced by the Official PlayStation Magazine team.
The weekly show will be available for UK gamers starting in March before rolling out across Europe later in the year. It features a mix of video reviews and previews for games and films, plus a guide to content on the PlayStation Store.
PS3 users can download it from the PlayStation Store for 99p an issue or a 8.99 three-month subscription.
Future sees the new show as not just offering valuable content for viewers but valuable reach for advertisers. Each episodes features six premium video ad slots and can link to other content on the PlayStation Network, while user data will be available to monitor how First Play is used by readers.
It also sees Future push into on-console content, having built a dedicated in-house team of TV, video, editorial and programming talent to produce the show each week.
FirstPlay is a ground breaking development, not just for gamers, but for the media industry, and we are delighted to be partnering with Sony on this pioneering project," said Robert Price, Chief Executive of Future UK."
"On-console delivery is an exciting next step in Future’s strategy of providing high quality content for readers and integrated media solutions for advertisers. We believe that we’ve created a product that will appeal to gamers in a uniquely effective and targeted way."
Sony likewise sees the new project as another step in deepening the appeal of a device that boasts a 3m user base in the UK and offers iPlayer and music video service Vidzone as well as games and Blu-ray movies.
"As PlayStation 3 moves the gaming experience to a more social and competitive online environment through the PlayStation Network, so it becomes critical that we’re offering gamers the very best content and services through this channel," said Ray Maguire, SVP of SCEE and MD of SCE UK said.
"FirstPlay is a great example of this. Future has an outstanding track record in producing content for gamers that is informed, impartial, relevant and with the right production values, so we see them as a natural partner to work with as we move to on-console media development."
