Question about older tables on PS4 version.

[eMeL-Music]

Where is the logic behind this decision???

I'm one of those that wants them all. I ask earlier and was told that sony has set up a limit for crossbuy on the PS4. So, ok we get only 20 tables to import that we once bought, ok. Now every new table that was released or going to be released is also croosbuy. Hm so I'm wondering what's the point behind the limitation??? Am I not smart enough to figure it out? We once bought every table on PS3 and therefor paid for them and can't import all of them, but every new table that comes is imortable (has crossbuy feature) so what's the point? You pay for the new table and can import it, but for the olders ones it's not allowed - that dosen't make sense. The only thing that's happening is I really going to loose my positive opinion about this game. It was always for the fans of ZP, but now I believe no one (Zen Studios or Sony) really cares about their fans. I mean everybody wants and asked for it and we only get answers that doesn't make sense or let us think they don't listen to us.

Hey Zen Team I could understand that you may want to make money again for the missing tables, but give us an answer that makes sense. I'm quite sure I'm not getting an official answer, as I already tried via facebook, twitter (also to sony's head) and in this forum, but I can't get it out my head. There's a big ? in my head - WHY???

As I said in my other posts I would rebuy every table just offer them!!!

[shogun00]

I'm one of those that wants them all. I ask earlier and was told that sony has set up a limit for crossbuy on the PS4. So, ok we get only 20 tables to import that we once bought, ok. Now every new table that was released or going to be released is also crossbuy. Hm so I'm wondering what's the point behind the limitation???

It's mostly on Sony's end and it's a very complicated situation. Both in programming and business wise.

I pretty much can figure out the reason just because I have a background in business and computer science. I'll try to explain this as simple as possible, but I can't make any promises.

Keep in mind that there could be other factors involved. Also, I should note that I don't work for either Zen or Sony. I'm just going with my own expertise.

The Tech Side: The biggest issue is the linking between a new platform and an obsolete platform. This is a challenge all on its own. The cross buy feature was never intended to work with the PS4, since the PS4's version of the Store runs on a different server with all new tech. Unfortunately, this new tech isn't compatible with the PS3/Vita. This means there's really no link between the two stores (the PS3 and Vita stores run on the same server), so how was the cross-buy feature applied? It's through the Download List, which is universal between all PlayStation platforms (PS3, PS4, Vita, PSP). Compared to the rest of the PSN, the Download List is very primitive looking. However, it's because of it being so primitive, that it can run on really old hardware and it will of coarse work on newer hardware.

Here's where it gets tricky? How can you create an established link with just the download list? The answer is for Sony to encode something into the game file in a way, so ZP2 has a key of sorts to be able to look at download list and see if you already own the game on the PS3/Vita. When it comes to programming this key into the files, the biggest factor is time and money. This is where the business side of things comes into play.

Business Side: Since Sony has to do special encoding on each table file to get the game can recognize the PS3/Vita counterparts on the download list, it's going to cost a lot money to get this done. What's more, ZP2 isn't the only game that they are releasing on the PS Store. The PS Store team is busy getting other games and DLC onto the storefronts at the same time. I should also note, that placing game files onto the storefront isn't an easy task. They are dealing with a lot of encoding to get each one posted. It's not a simple click of mouse. It takes a lot of time to get everything working properly.

Every table they have to encode on game file to work for Cross-buy will cutting into other game releases. A potential money lose, because of delays. Considering that Sony makes roughly 30% off of every transaction on the PS Store. When it comes to this cross-buy feature for ZP2, it's a big of waste money in the short term. After all, the customers already bought the tables in the past on previous platforms. This is what you call a future investment. They hope that by applying this feature into the game, that it will entice gamers into buying future tables. Not to mention, persuade gamers that were on the fence to check the game out.

If you look at it this way, it's makes sense to apply a limit on the number of older tables to support cross-buy. Trying to apply the cross-buy feature to all of the old tables will just force Sony to either delay other content (games, DLC) or delay Zen Pinball 2 on the PS4 even later.

Now this won't be an issue with future tables, since no matter which way you look at it. Sony will be making money on it, since the table is new to all 3 platforms (PS3, Vita, PS4).

Now can Zen add the other tables to the PS4? Of coarse, especially if they charge for them. After all, Sony will make money on those purchases. However, this could be a backlash to Zen. We've already seen it before. There's a lot of gamers that have a sense of entitlement and they expect all the tables to support cross-buy. Charging money on a few of the older tables could create a boycott of sorts with some of those gamers. I guess you can call this a classic Catch 22.

[Thefly0810]

I started a poll asking whether or not people are willing to buy the tables again.

https://forum.zenstudios.com/showthread.php?6366-Poll-Would-You-Re-purchase-Older-Tables-for-Zen-Pinball-2-for-the-PS4&p=50262#post50262

[BarbieBobomb]

I'm one of those that wants them all. I ask earlier and was told that sony has set up a limit for crossbuy on the PS4. So, ok we get only 20 tables to import that we once bought, ok. Now every new table that was released or going to be released is also croosbuy. Hm so I'm wondering what's the point behind the limitation??? Am I not smart enough to figure it out? We once bought every table on PS3 and therefor paid for them and can't import all of them, but every new table that comes is imortable (has crossbuy feature) so what's the point? You pay for the new table and can import it, but for the olders ones it's not allowed - that dosen't make sense. The only thing that's happening is I really going to loose my positive opinion about this game. It was always for the fans of ZP, but now I believe no one (Zen Studios or Sony) really cares about their fans. I mean everybody wants and asked for it and we only get answers that doesn't make sense or let us think they don't listen to us.

Hey Zen Team I could understand that you may want to make money again for the missing tables, but give us an answer that makes sense. I'm quite sure I'm not getting an official answer, as I already tried via facebook, twitter (also to sony's head) and in this forum, but I can't get it out my head. There's a big ? in my head - WHY???

As I said in my other posts I would rebuy every table just offer them!!!

Trust me, we wanted to bring them all over, we had to fight just to get the ones we were able to bring day one. We didn't have to bring any tables over as free imports, at all, but it was really important to us that we bring something. This was the compromise.