"P.S. Thanks" Trademark: PlayStation Rewards Program?
See Full ImageEveryone loves incentives. Reward programs have a way of increasing revenue, and perhaps that's why Sony seems ready to introduce such a program for PlayStation products.
According to Siliconera, there is a recent trademark in existence entitled "P.S. Thanks," which is likely a clever name for the aforementioned doorway-to-bonus-goodies. This trademark filed by Sony is called an "incentive rewards program," although we have no further details. Now, there are any number of ways Sony could approach this; they could base it on hardware and/or software purchases, for example, or they could target the uber-skilled gamers by handing out rewards for big Trophy-holders. However, as the source points out and as we just mentioned, these programs don't exist just for the sake of the consumer. No, Sony will want to make extra money on this, so it seems obvious that we'll be paying for our bonuses. But depending on what those bonuses are, we might be tempted into putting a bit more into the annual gaming budget. Here's one idea: buy a PS3, get two $60 games for half price, provided both games are bought at the time of the hardware purchase. Yes?
Anyway, we'll keep an eye out for "P.S. Thanks," which may be yet another big announcement at GamesCom in a few weeks.
8/5/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (40 posts)
fluffer nutter
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 4:45:31 PM
6 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 1:07:24 PM
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1 up, 0 down
tes37
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 4:35:36 PM
A rewards program could be their answer to used game sales. Gives you an incentive to buy new games more often.
Last edited by tes37 on 8/5/2009 4:43:08 PM
1 up, 0 down
city96
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 1:14:33 PM
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the white light thing :(
i want to kill myself.... or wait for a price cut?
0 up, 1 down
TEG3SH
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 2:06:41 PM
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www
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 2:25:36 PM
0 up, 0 down
Shadow_Ninja
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 3:35:13 PM
1 up, 1 down
Qubex
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 10:05:23 PM
Q!
"i am home"
0 up, 0 down
city96
Thursday, August 06, 2009 @ 6:53:43 AM
0 up, 0 down
Milonakis
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 1:15:44 PM
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2 up, 0 down
Belazor
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 1:18:40 PM
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It was reported on Engadget a month or so ago.
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Jawknee
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 1:32:41 PM
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0 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 10:33:09 PM
0 up, 0 down
www
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 2:21:14 PM
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Btw Ben i thought you said Madden NFL 10 Demo was out, and i can't find it on neither PSN or LIVE?
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Arvis
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 3:23:44 PM
-Arvis
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556pineapple
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 3:21:24 PM
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2 up, 0 down
Arvis
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 3:26:01 PM
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How would Sony NOT make money instituting a tangible reward program with Trophies? That alone would encourage A LOT of hardcore gamers to switch from the 360 to the PS3, which would, in turn, shift A LOT of PS3 consoles. It's win-win.
-Arvis
2 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 4:56:04 PM
Not gaming related, or Sony related, or even mildly on topic, but it would be kewl.
0 up, 1 down
nath08
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 4:34:17 PM
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Crabba
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 4:46:38 PM
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That would give people an incentive to buy & play more PS3 games, and like someone else said, especially with multi-platform games that could be something that would make people get the PS3 version instead of the xbox/pc version.
I have thought of this myself a couple of times that there should be some kind of reason for getting trophies. What do I get out of just seeing a higher number in my trophies list? Sure, the "leveling up" thing is a pretty good idea in theory with the whole RPG-feel to it, but it's just not used to its potential as it is. Again, what do I get out of getting a level 5, 6 or lvl 10 PSN "character"? The only way to even see it is to click triangle on your PSN id, then what?
So additionally, there should be some similar incentive to "level up" your PSN character, aside from the obvious connection that there should be in Home, trophy room etc, you should get something if you gain a level, maybe some bonus points/credits or something?
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tes37
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 4:53:08 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
___________
Thursday, August 06, 2009 @ 3:55:22 AM
and then have the barcode assigned to the mac or NIC address that way you cant borrow games off friends.
hell they could even make a code up of several serial numbers from your HDD NIC and whatever else.
thats what anti virus software company's do once you activate the program they generate a code using a portion of your nic and HDD.
so if you need to reinstall it you just install it and the program will automatically pick up the code and boom your in.
if you change your HDD than you would have to ring up and explain what happened
Last edited by ___________ on 8/6/2009 3:59:11 AM
1 up, 0 down
tes37
Thursday, August 06, 2009 @ 5:47:51 AM
0 up, 0 down
Naga
Friday, August 07, 2009 @ 7:05:08 PM
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 6:58:41 PM
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Which doesn't mean it won't involve new features like those suggested here.
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Qubex
Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 10:10:20 PM
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Let's say Sony decides to create model whereby you earn credits from Trophies earned. How would one feel that in order to acquire maximum credits that could be generated from a particular game, they would need to purchase the DLC packs that go along with that game.
Maybe the most valued Trophies will be ones that appear within game extensions, rather than the original game. Not saying that you can earn a decent amount of credits from the main game your purchase, but it would be another way of coercing users into buying more DLC, to get those extra trophies and maybe, as a total, acquire number of credits in doing so...
Anyway, it should be interesting to see if they employ such a business mechanic, or maybe a mix of various reward schemes... all in all it will result in yourselves spending more cash :) ...that is the point of it is it not?
Q!
"i am home"
Last edited by Qubex on 8/5/2009 10:10:32 PM
0 up, 1 down
___________
Thursday, August 06, 2009 @ 3:50:43 AM
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if they made trophys worth money, like bronze worth 1c silver 10 gold 1$ and platnum 5$
than use that credit towards anything on the PSN, now thats a incentive for people to buy the ps3 version of MP games.
but sony doesnt like spending money so ill probably turn into a purple alien before that happens.
when o when will they realize you have to spend money to make money.
1 up, 0 down
Minishmaru
Thursday, August 06, 2009 @ 12:32:28 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Highlander
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 12:53:36 PM