Your all-caps conversations about how Sony should take over the world and the PlayStation brand is the greatest thing invented since the atomic bomb won't get you anywhere, but actively using the latest PlayStation systems might. Sony is poised to kick off a new loyalty program that will dish out rewards and even sweepstakes opportunities to those most invested in the brand and those who buy, especially, content offered on PlayStation Network.
This program is called "PlayStation Rewards," and it's set to be offered to anyone with a PSN account in Spring 2011. When it launches, you'll start at the lowest of its three tiers, called "Select." Only by buying new games, doing surveys, and purchasing select PSN content like PlayStation Home items, videos, games, and other content can you advance to the program's other two tiers: "Pro" and "Legendary."
With each tier gained, you'll get new "recognition" for your effort. You'll also receive Rewards-"exclusive" rewards. Some of the examples Sony is tossing around right now, such as additional Home content, members-only sweepstakes (like a trip to CES 2011) and giveaways, are meant for everyone with an account regardless of tier, but I'm sure "Legendary" folks will get their due, as it sounds like it'll be a challenge to reach that level of status. Senior director of PSN Susan Panico says that "Legendary" will house, realistically, only the top 20-percent of users in a Kotaku conversation.
== TEASER =="PlayStation's most important asset is its loyal fans and PlayStation Rewards gives us an opportunity to show our appreciation for their amazing passion and desire to continually evolve the gaming world," Panico said in a statement. "We can't thank our fans enough for the feedback they have given us over the years and look forward to even more dialog to help us evolve PlayStation Rewards to make it the best possible loyalty program it can be."
A closed beta for the program is set to happen, with invites going to early adopters of PlayStation Plus and members of the Gamer Advisory Panel. From what we can tell, these invites won't be exclusive to these two groups, but it's safe to assume they'll soak up the majority considering this is a loyalty program and all.
PlayStation Rewards sounds very similar PlayStation Plus, Sony's paid online service that offers member exclusive deals such as discounts and downloads. It's close, however, Sony is putting up a wall between the two. Speaking with Joystiq, Panico called this more of a "follow-up" to other PlayStation loyalty programs like the PlayStation Underground. The two won't be merging.
PlayStation Rewards also sounds pretty similar to Club Nintendo, which is a Nintendo loyalty program I've heard few complaints about. Sure, no-one normal gets anything of substantial value from membership, but I'd reckon the super fans out there are able to score some nice stuff, as will Rewards members.
Are you into PlayStation enough to join its new program?