Playstation Store Revamp

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced this week that its online multimedia shopping service, the Playstation Store, will be getting a major revamp for the Playstation 3 in mid-April. The revamp will bring a new look to the service and improved navigation. SCEA will also be altering the service, turning it into a native storefront on the Playstation 3. This will allow Playstation 3 users to locate and purchase video games, download demos, game videos, Blu-ray movie trailers and other content more easily.

SCEA has also announced, in order to allow the enhancements to be made to the Playstation Store, that it will not be posting any additional downloadable content prior to the revamp, beginning April 3rd. The service will still be available during that time, though. Regularly scheduled content updates will resume as soon as the enhancements have been completed.

In the Playstation Store, customers can use their Playstation Network accounts and “virtual wallets” to seamlessly purchase and download content for Playstation 3. The Playstation Store revamp will not affect Playstation Network accounts or the “virtual wallet” system. The Playstation Store can be accessed via the XrossMediaBar. Customers accessing PLAYSTATION Store starting in mid April will be prompted to download a free firmware update, which will automatically enable access to the new Playstation Store.

XBLA update

This week's Xbox Live Arcade update brings Namco Bandai Games' Mr. Driller Online to the lineup of puzzle games available for Xbox Live Arcade. Players take on the role of a driller moving through levels of colorful blocks, avoiding the threat of being crushed by falling blocks, all while trying to keep their air supply from running out. Mr. Driller Online features single player modes including Standard Driller and Quest Driller, as well as online multiplayer support for up to four players on Xbox Live. In online multiplayer mode, players can participate in a split screen Solo Battle, where the best score wins, or in Tag Battle, where friends team up in pairs to beat the game. Mr. Driller Online will be available worldwide (with the exception of Korea) for 800 Microsoft Points, tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. GMT and is rated E for Everyone.

There will also be fresh downloadable content for Pinball FX.