Future to launch FirstPlay on PSN on April 8
Media company partners with Square Enix for first episode of interactive show
Future Publishing is to launch its new interactive PlayStation Network show FirstPlay on April 8, with the first episode featuring exclusive content from Square Enix.
The weekly downloadable show, which has been developed in conjunction with Sony and the Official PlayStation magazine, will cost users 99p per episode, or £8.99 for a quarterly subscription.
Developed as a "new way of reaching out to committed gamers", FirstPlay promises high definition video reviews, as well as exclusive download content.
Each episode will also feature six premium HD video pre-roll adverts, of up to 30 seconds each, which become skippable once users have viewed them all.
For the launch episode, Future has partnered with Square Enix to offer an exclusive in-game item for Just Cause 2. Interactive adverts will transfer gamers to the downloadable Just Cause 2 demo, and to the official Final Fantasy XIII website.
"FirstPlay offers an innovative way of communicating directly with committed PS3 gamers, and we are excited to be a launch partner," said Jon Brooke, UK marketing director of Square Enix Europe.
"FirstPlay allows us to showcase our new releases in their natural environment in high definition – and it's really easy for gamers to download a playable demo of Just Cause 2, or find out more about Final Fantasy XII. We look forward to seeing the service develop."
"There’s a fantastic buzz about FirstPlay amongst the industry and the gaming community who want to experience our new service for themselves," added FirstPlay publisher, Richard Keith.
"The aim is to make each weekly FirstPlay episode an unmissable event for PlayStation 3 owners, and we're working on some exciting plans with many of the industry's biggest names to make this happen."