SCEE: Digital Retail Needs Design Change
Confusing to browse and a lack of search options.
SCEE's president Andrew House is still not sold on the benefits of digital distribution it seems. The exec has said that digital retail is a 'confusing' experience, and that there are still some major challenges to overcome before it becomes a digital-only world.
"The reason retail has been around for thousands of years is because it works really well at showing you a range of content, having experienced store staff that can find the game you are looking for, tailor choices to your needs and up-sell you something you hadn't thought of," he said to MCV.
"Digital, for me, still has a challenge in that it doesn't have the equivalent of that." Sure, you don't get the same face-to-face experience on the PSN that you can find in a store, but do people really want to be bombarded with "up-sell" tactics for insurance and pre-owned content?
We'd like to think the issue in seeing content and tailor-made search options is something that could be fixed in a design change. Seems House thinks so as well. "Browsing is a little overwhelming and too confusing [in a digital store], and that's the challenge that makes me think there's a strong role for physical media for years to come."
Of course, selling PSP games for a much higher price than brick and mortar stores doesn't do much for customer reception either, really. Either way, do you think the PlayStation Store could do with a redesign? Answers on a forum post below.
"The reason retail has been around for thousands of years is because it works really well at showing you a range of content, having experienced store staff that can find the game you are looking for, tailor choices to your needs and up-sell you something you hadn't thought of," he said to MCV.
"Digital, for me, still has a challenge in that it doesn't have the equivalent of that." Sure, you don't get the same face-to-face experience on the PSN that you can find in a store, but do people really want to be bombarded with "up-sell" tactics for insurance and pre-owned content?
We'd like to think the issue in seeing content and tailor-made search options is something that could be fixed in a design change. Seems House thinks so as well. "Browsing is a little overwhelming and too confusing [in a digital store], and that's the challenge that makes me think there's a strong role for physical media for years to come."
Of course, selling PSP games for a much higher price than brick and mortar stores doesn't do much for customer reception either, really. Either way, do you think the PlayStation Store could do with a redesign? Answers on a forum post below.
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