Future US Gets to the Qore

Games magazine publisher Future US is the company behind a new downloadable multimedia magazine on the Sony Playstation3 game console, dubbed “Qore.” With the PS3 connected to the Internet, users can purchase one-issue for $2.99, which downloads to the console and plays back as a set of video files, themes and wallpapers that can be applied to the game unit interface. The ubiquitous Veronica Belmont (who seems to be the official Web video hostess of all things geeky) fronts the “magazine” as emcee. The content is not new, since it replicates much of the same material you find on a games magazine with a packed in disc. What is new is the distribution mechanism. With tens of millions of next-generation games consoles (now all with Internet connections) tied to TVs, these are the most powerful bridges between Web and living room now. They constitute a parallel TV universe, the first set top boxes with real distribution. The Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii also provide interesting places where munchable smaller content may have a place – i.e. all that Web video you are producing online. The Eyeball warns all publishers that they ignore this platform at their peril. These game console may never become Web browser replacements, but with the Wii now penetrating a new and broader demographic, as a class they now address a wide population in lean back mode.