Download Speeds and Pre-Orders: What Sony Can Learn From Valve

PSNFans writes:

It’s no secret that Sony has had problems in the past with download speeds. As a PlayStation fan with broadband internet, I can’t help but get annoyed at the hours it sometimes takes for the smallest of downloads to finish. At this stage in the console’s life, it’s probably too late to expect any major fixes, but there is a work-around that other platforms have already started to use. If Sony can take a hint from companies like Valve and allow digital pre-orders, and more importantly allow users to pre-load said games, it could make the consumer side of the interaction much more simple.

[Tired]

Since when has Sony ever had a problem with download speeds?

I downloaded both the jak and daxter trilogy and the newly remastered ratchet and clanks the other day which clocked in at 18Gb. Was all downloaded and installed in under 5 hours.

I have a rubbish 10meg line.

The ONLY time I've EVER had a problem was when I changed ISP. For some reason Lovefilm/Netflix/Youtube and anything from Sony were all downloading at a crawl if at all. Yet torrents would run full speed any time of the day or night with no throttling.

After being lied to several times by customer services as to why this might be case, And pointing out that my traffic whilst being quite high was from a perfectly legitimate and paid for source, My ISP finally flipped whatever magic switch they have and sorted it.

But YES I agree with the article in general, and think that a pre-download could be a good thing. They kinda already do that with the whole unlock-key demo things they already have.

[Farsendor1]

search in google a lot of people have problems with psn download speed.

[badz149]

@hawkboi
"I have a rubbish 10meg line"

dude, as somebody who is only on 1Mbps, that's kinda offensive LOL!

on a serious note, with respect of my very slow connection, PSN is still respectably smooth for me with downloading and online play!

[Fishy Fingers]

Downloads are often subjective, depending on server, time of day, load on the exchange, ISP speeds blah blah so can't really comment on how the PSN compares.

Regarding per-loads. I consider them a must if you want digital downloads to take off. People want those exciting new games day one and with them growing in GBs, it's the only way to maintain that sense of "convenience" that DD is aiming for.

[CommonSenseGamer]

Valve is not perfect when it comes to download speeds either.

[Farsendor1]

agree with you sometimes my speeds are cut almost in half.

but i love steam anyways

[the worst]

my psn is great
i get 45 to 50 meg