Future Media Publishing states that FirstPlay is, "An exciting new on-console interactive show, delivering HD video reviews, previews and downloadable content direct to your PS3."
I really enjoy the content that Future Publishing Publishes. The quality of their offline publications is always of a very high standard and very enjoyable so it seemed that the £8.99 price (quarterly subscription) for an interactive show was fair and so I decided to subscribe before having even watched the first (free) episode. Whilst being a better deal than the £0.99 per week fee, I now slightly regret the impulse purchase for reasons I'll share with you later.
I was surprised (and pleasantly so) to hear Violet Berlin (of Gamepad fame (aired in the UK on a cable channel called Bravo)) narrating FirstPlay. Video game reviews and Violet Berlin in my opinion go hand in hand. I guess it was a toss-up between Dominic Diamond (GamesMaster) and Violet, thankfully Violet won. I'm not sure if Violet writes her own reviews/script for FirstPlay like she did for Gamepad, but her witty comments had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions, combine this with Violet's unique style of presentation and she never fails to disappoint. I was also surprised to hear Violet narrate the photo gallery (I was expecting just photos) this was a great production decision as Violet's presentation added weight to this section as her style and humour really compliments the High Definition screenshots - which I add are simply stunning.
Both the Presentation and Navigation is incredible and it is clear a great deal of thought has gone into the production of FirstPlay. The execution is something 'The Designers Republic' would be proud of. Kudos to the designers that make everything look incredibly rich and detailed. I hope the team continues to push the interactive design boundaries and add value each week not just through content but also through navigation.
The actual content up to and including week two has been engaging. The reviews and previews were very well presented; the best I've seen in fact; the HD content is simply awesome. There's a good mixture of content too, not just reviews for all major releases but also Downloadable Content too. FirstPlay even highlights user contributions to the scene for example; some of the best Little Big Planet levels produced by amateurs and the team pay their respect to gamers/producers by quoting their gamersID. There is some exclusive content like Just Cause Parachute and FirstPlay Theme, nothing to get too excited about though. In the future, I'd hope to see amazing freebies e.g. themes. I've recently purchased the beautiful Flower theme so freebies on par with that will reward loyal readers / subscribers.
Now for the gripes!
Let's not forget that this review was written after having only viewed the second FirstPlay episode. I expect (or at least hope) this series; the content within, the design and the navigation will improve over time and my major concerns about advertising as ranted below will also be addressed.
On two occasions I had to hard-reset my Slim Playstation 3. Once when I tried to load episode one I was presented with a black screen and then again when I had finished viewing the second episode I was presented with a white screen.
There are multiple types of content, but no 'game music' section, this makes the replay value of FirstPlay highly unlikely. I can imagine a track to promote Sing Star, a track to promote DJ Hero, a track to promote Final Fantasy etc. etc. I realise this product isn't 'VidZone' but a little gaming related music would certainly be welcomed.
In the second series I was disappointed how the Top 10 FIFA goals was presented. The footage was presented in a very small area with FIFA graphics around the edge. I understand the reasons for the size of the video but it just didn't work in this context and my advice here is to always present content at full screen and if you can't then don't bother.
My final point and boy is this a biggie. Advertising! Let me take a couple of paragraph breaks to try and calm myself down first!
Companies need to advertise to fund their business, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. Choose the wrong way and you'll alienate your audience. Fast!
Here's an example for you.
I advertise on this blog using Google Ad Words. The difference is it's your choice whether you want to click on my advertising. I'm not, never have and never will force you to click one or a number of links before you access this content, daily, weekly or quarterly. Imagine having to pay to read my content (shock!) but before you did I forced you to click several links for each new piece of content you wanted to read (shock and anger!), I would probably lose you as a reader. I don't do this because a) it would break Google's Advertising Terms b) I want you to read my content for free c) I don't want to limit your freedom and choices d) I respect that you can decide what you'd like to read regardless of whether it's my content or content on another site.
IRONICALLY IT'S ALL ABOUT ADVERTISING. BUT.
The FirstPlay product is all about advertising. Content is being sold to a target market and that target market includes me. "Hello". I'm a customer that respects that model - I understand it, I buy into it. So, imagine how angry I was when I was forced to sit through videos advertising games that I'm not at all interested in. After I have watched five of the damn things, I'm 'allowed' to skip them, "Why thank you very much Future Publishing, so very kind of you!"
This REALLY annoys me about DVDs and BluRays which is why I've stopped buying them and instead rent them. Does FirstPlay (ironic title) want to stop me from engaging with the content that I am likely to purchase before I've even had the chance to view the content that is of interest to me? Let's not forget that I'm paying for this privilege. I'm paying to be sold to - so blatant advertising in the form of linear glossy video is nothing less than insulting!
Stop forcing me as a loyal subscriber to view ads in this way. I'm paying for this content, I choose the content that I want to interact with. FirstPlay presents some content, I choose to buy that content, I then choose to review the content that has been sold to me so I can make an informed decision as to whether or not to purchase the game whether it's a full priced game or some pocket money DLC - but no more you have to watch this before you get to the content you paid for - advertisements. Why? Because 1) I'm not going to buy games that are advertised to me in this way EVER 2) I'm likely to stop subscribing and will spend my money elsewhere with companies that respect my business, don't patronise me and think just a little further than their bottom line.
So, as I see it, Future Publishing has one of two choices. 1) Keep the ads and make the product free or 2) Remove the ads and continue to charge for it.
ADVERTISING PARADIGM SHIFT:
EMBRACE IT.
DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
If there are 50,000 weekly subscribers paying £0.99 that's approx. £50,000 a week over half a million GBPs a quarter! As good as it is, I'm pretty sure it doesn't cost half a million to produce this content every quarter so that's a sizable product without excessive in your face advertising. I'd anticipate that this content has a large appeal so 50,000 users is somewhat of a conservative estimate and this product has the scope to generate millions especially if marketed to specific regions.
Here's an example of how arrogant advertising fails. 1. I will NEVER buy Prison Break the video game no matter how many times FirstPlay tries and brainwashes me into thinking it is a good game. 2. I will buy God of War III. Why? Violets review, the games score and the breath-taking HD review all sold it to me in addition to other reviews, word of mouth and playable demos.
Bottom line. No matter how good the content, the presentation, navigation, exclusives and freebies, if Future Publishing is going to force me to watch adverts - I certainly won't be renewing my subscription and I certainly won't be recommending this series to anyone.
0 people have commented say something...:
Post a Comment