Reminder: PS5, PS4 Loyalty Scheme PS Stars Is Available Now in Europe

Yay, free stuff!

You mean tomorrow.

I was always under the impression the quote was just “My God, it’s full of stars”.

It’s surprising how well known/used this quote is. 2010 is not considered a particularly good film and can hardly be considered a worthy sequel to the masterpiece that is 2001.

@Snake_V5 Still technically this week!

Can we please stop referring to this as a scheme? It's not a scheme... its a rewards structure.

This has been commented on numerous articles about this and you still continue doing it.

Well, I like going for trophies, this is an even more meta version of that. I’m not too optimistic that many tasks will be achievable without spending stupid money though; I’m not going to buy games I don’t want for example, especially not at extortionate digital prices.

I wouldn’t mind things like - “plat a horror game this Halloween for this spooky trophy”, as I could find a fun little game on Extra, but asking you to get specific games is just cynical marketing.

@BeerIsAwesome 😄

@torne
Is that because you think the word “scheme” has negative connotation? Because that’s not the case for everyone you know.

@thefourfoldroot1 yes inherently scheme (in canada anyways) implies a negative connotation.

That being said this is the first time I personally have brought it up, other users have also voiced the same concerns.

@torne
Fair enough. For me (U.K.) it brings up musical and poetic images of rhyme schemes.

You're gonna keep calling it a scheme but not the Nintendo coins or Microsoft points. Weird.

@AstraeaV this is my issue. They have spoken about all 3 rewards systems on this site, but only the Sony one is a scheme...

I will sign up to it, but I won't be actively pursuing it. It looks quite mediocre in terms of point ratio to purchase etc. Hopefully they improve over time.

@torne pushsquare staff are from UK, where scheme has several meaning. as has been mentioned plenty of times. in time it will be known just as psstars, but as its new saying it is a loyalty scheme explains what it is

They're all loyalty schemes. This is a UK site so I'm not sure why folks are surprised that it's written in British English?

Yay now you Europeans get to embrace the suck with the rest of us lol.

In all seriousness my main issue with it is that the challenges are kind of a grind.

I actually have all of the games for the 1994 challenge but the issue is that you have to start those games. I would need to eat an entire month’s worth of bandwidth and a bunch of time to redownload them.

Don't get your hopes up.

@thefourfoldroot1 The VR task was pretty fun. It got me to hop back into Wipeout Omega for the first time in quite a while, and good lord what a game that is. I’m also finding that the trophy requirements to level up are getting me to revisit old games and clean up some of the trophies I skipped over before. I like being incentivized to enjoy things I already own.

@theheadofabroom They have been asked to correct it or explain it. Instead they leave it for angry clicks. We get it, you don't have a PS5 so you're hating on Sony. End of story.

@AstraeaV correct what? it IS a scheme. end of. nothing to explain either.

i mean as a sentence it wouldnt even make sense if it was the sinister meaning.

@stvevan I'm well aware of where the push square staff are from thanks. The point stands that they only refer to PsStars as a scheme, while referring to Microsoft rewards, and Nintendo coins, as rewards.

They are all the same system, why are we not using the same terms for the same types of things?

As someone else pointed out, they have been asked to alter the wording or explain why the wording is the way it is and they haven't.

Alternatively they could also recognize that not all of their audience is from the UK so if scheme really is a positive thing there, again I ask why haven't they explained it or used words that imply something positive instead?

@torne so by your logic everything would have to be explained in every language, as things mean different in various countries.

as you cant understand that scheme is perfectly acceptable, im going to leave further responses as id be repeating myself

@stvevan Well I hope the mods are ready for more angy comments. They are jumping for joy over all the click revenue. Such a scheme from the uk.

@stvevan As long as you know you are wrong. As usual silence means yes.

@AstraeaV do enlighten me how im wrong then....

@stvevan why are you so quick to start jumping to personal attacks?

It's not about me not being able to understand how language works. You know it is okay to agree to disagree right? Like it literally cost you nothing to do that...

All I am trying to get across are the inconsistencies in reporting on this site. Especially compared to pure xbox and nintendolife who are all run by the same organization.

I have been a member of push square for a number of years now and the only time I have heard any mention of a rewards program as a scheme is on these articles. Pure Xbox don't call them schemes, and neither do Nintendolife. And as I've already mentioned when PS refers to those other programs they don't refer to them as schemes.

So I'm sure you understand as the logical and rational human being that I am sure you are, how one can come to the conclusion that when they see the word scheme, it can be viewed as a negative thing ESPECIALLY when as we both agree there are other languages and intonation at play. ✌️

@stvevan
BRITISH
A large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular object or putting a particular idea into effect.

USA
Make plans, especially in a devious way or with intent to do something illegal or wrong.

@AstraeaV and pushsquare is from British writers, not American? so again the use of scheme is acceptable.

using the American Meaning wouldnt work correct as a sentence either.

@AstraeaV Huh? I've had a PS5 since launch day?

I don't get why you think I hate Sony, I have an Xperia phone, a Bravia TV, and Sony noise cancelling headphones, and I subscribe to PS+ Extra. I encourage people to be realistic and make considered purchasing decisions rather than being loyal to brands, but that pragmatic approach keeps having me buy Sony products.

@Amnesiac
So you have tasks different to the Asia region? Ok, those sound good. Will definitely do those.

@stvevan It clearly has a negative load in it doesnt it and they know it will generate extra clicks.

Let me join instantly. I've been hearing people are being told to wait a month. Is this due to my account being really old? :/

@torne this is a British publication and the word 'scheme' used in the context of the rewards programme is perfectly acceptable and understood for what it is. 'Scheme' is not a word people associate with negatively unless there is context that lends itself to that. An article about rewards on Playstation isn't a trigger for that kind of interpretation. If the case in Canada that the word scheme is already loaded with negative connotations prior to its use, and that its inclusion as a descriptor goes on to negatively bias whatever it is attributed to regardless of all the surrounding context, you must have had some really horrendous schemes happen over there.

Having said that, your government does like to legislate to compel speech so I suppose it's possible.

Signed up. I’ll get a few collectible when I get home as they don’t require me to buy new games.

not all the EU countries are eligible to join PS Stars

@stvevan Considering the site already reports when products release in American and Asian regions. Along with reporting the American dollar amounts with prices, it means there is a substantial audience to where they deem it worth acknowledging. So with that I'd say it's no trouble to simply switch the word from scheme to rewards.

My first thought: Oh no, I just missed out on 15.000 points for buying Sekiro! I'm such a mark

@OrtadragoonX what are the games?

Question: does buying a full game mean including one on sale? Or does it mean full price?

@WCB I would expect that it counts, and just excludes things like DLC, demos, and getting access via PS+

In my opinion this is a disappointing program. I know it might get better, but the “campaigns” are ridiculous so far and the amount of reward is infinitesimal. Maybe if you were going to buy a ton of games in the PS Store you’ll eventually get enough for a small credit to get a free game but you’re looking at spending a lot of money first. The exchange rate is roughly 5000 points to get $20 of wallet store credit. Right now all I see is 50 points if you buy from a very select list of games (TLoU2, NKA2K, Inscryption, Saints Row, Madden, or TMNT). No thanks.

Most of the rewards are going to end up being the little digital collectibles. We already have trophies so… I don’t see how this adds anything of value.

In fact, I wish they’d have revamped the trophy display options instead and make a little display case for our favorite trophies instead of this. I’ve felt for a long time that we should have a more robust trophy organization process to highlight them somehow.

I know PS Stars is in its infancy, but I’m going to be ignoring it unless they really make it less of a counter on how much money you’ve spent in the store pushing us toward digital purchases. I buy about 50% or more physical so this just doesn’t help me.

when i click on the PS Stars tile in the store it says "Can't find what your looking for". I'm from the UK. Is anyone else getting this?

@tomassi its not on store currently. have to get it on your phone

Looks like South Africa (which falls under the EU according to Playstation zoning), doesn't have access to Stars.
It is filled with disappointment, not stars...

The amount of people angry at the use of the word scheme and demanding it be changed or an explanation despite getting told a good reason for the use of the word and it not meaning anything negative is amusing. If you are given an explanation about the word and still refuse to accept it then that is on you.

On to the actual PS stars well it all seems a bit disjointed and if the only way to earn coins is by buying certain games digitally then it seems more like a way of boosting sales for games many wouldn't otherwise buy. If it was like the Nintendo system where you got coins based on anything you buy digitally I'd get it but not only a specific collection of games. Also for the amount of time they have been developing and planning it you would have thought there would be an way of tracking it on your console.

@stvevan Ahh ok cheers. That would make to much sense to actually be able to get it on the console itself wouldn't it!

I've got the PS App but where do I find details about stars?

@Zenszulu @tomassi its coming to console at some point

@stvevan I know, it's just stupid and odd that an initiative for Playstation consoles isn't actually launched ON the console itself and you have to go on your phone to do it!

@stvevan I know it is just something that has been in the works for a while now should have launched with a way of showing on your console.

I have £1000 worth of PS5's, £1000 worth of PS4's, a whole bunch of games for them, digital and physical, lots of peripherals, subscriptions to PS Plus/Extra and about 1300 trophies on the account that I use now.

I have 0 points. I just don't think i'm loyal enough 😭😂

@Ashfordwasp
Just log in, there is a new symbol to click next to the notification bell.

They need to bring ps home back, display those collectibles there maybe? I got 2 earlier while playing a game, what point is there to them? Also, why do the points expire???

@Zenszulu I'm able to gloss over scheme but the 'outrage' is understandable. There are plenty of words us Americans use that carry negative connotation on the other side of the pond and vice versa. What we do? We honor their request out of respect despite there logically being more Americans than UK or any other smaller-sized country. A simple word switch shouldn't be that big of a deal to receive immediate denial.

As for PS Stars, hopefully they start adding PS Star voucher codes or what not inside the game cases. So that people who still purchase physical copies would be able to redeem the points so it doesn't feel like a push towards more digital sales.

@WadeIsInsane no it's not understandable sorry the word simply has another meaning. It's not like the word is offensive in any way shape or form no matter what meaning used. So unless it was that kind of instance where it was seen as potential offense then that is the only time something should be changed. No need to change it simple because one country has a larger population so more of them could potentially be reading it.

@Zenszulu "No need to change it simple because one country has a larger population so more of them could potentially be reading it."

Nice twist, but I never said that. It's good to know that you don't consider the development of a program that is free to join and rewards consumers who care enough to participate equated to a shady practice as non-offensive.

As mentioned in my previous 2 comments here, I'm aware of the multiple meanings and therefore unbothered by this. Whilst at the same time I understand and merely have chosen to take the time to spell it out for those who at least seem like they want to understand why it bothers a number of commenters.

@WadeIsInsane it's not a twist it's a simple and valid reason why there is no need to change it having a different meaning for some doesn't matter once the alternative meaning is explained. If it bothers people after an explanation like that then at the end of the day they just have to deal with it.

If folks don't like the way English people use the English language, maybe come up with your own?

@Zenszulu Not the twist I was talking about. But it's okay, I already fulfilled my intentions. We can just agree to disagree and move on from here.