Network your way with PSN

PlayStation Network isn't just about great games - it's also home to a choice of brilliant content that can engage, entertain and help you in a variety of ways. Take a look how...

Signing up to PlayStation Network (PSN) opens up a world of advantages to you which will only keep increasing the more you use it. While there are hundreds of games available to download directly to your PlayStation 3 and PSP, there are also a number of other ways to make PSN an essential part of your everyday entertainment activities.

PlayStation Store

Think of PlayStation Store as your one-stop shopping centre for visual entertainment. There you can download exclusive content, such as games, movies, trailers, demos (including beta trials where you can play forthcoming games early) and even decorations such as wallpapers and themes for your system. So not only can you play, you can also personalise your system the way you want, to give it your very own unique look and feel.

Communication and Internet

PlayStation Network is the ultimate communication tool, letting you stay in touch with friends and family with a wealth of accessible options designed to keep you linked to everyone you want. Fancy exchanging text, audio and video messages on PS3? Easy. Want to send emails? No problem. Have a craving to check out your favourite Internet site? The built-in browser will take you on your journey.

What if you want to create a list of friends to play online with? PSN has it covered. When you sign up, your globally unique online ID means you and others can easily find each other online and then form a Friend list to make sure you always know who's ready to play, chat or share content with when you sign in. And because playing online with others is free on PSN, there's no excuse to not get involved.

If your competitive streak is running hot, there's also the ability to take part in regular tournaments and competitions. You can keep abreast of these and a number of fun events and special downloads using the Events Calendar at eu.playstation.com so you'll never miss a day or night of exclusive PSN online parties and downloads - just make sure you bring plenty of snacks.

PlayStation Home

PlayStation Home takes online interaction a step further into an exciting new realm. A free and fully 3D online social gaming service, PlayStation Home gives you the perfect place to hang out with friends, chat to new people, watch videos and trailers, play games online, attend exclusive events and more.

With your personal avatar, designed the way you want him or her to look and act, you can dance the night away in a club, have a quick game of pool or bowling, shop for clothes and items, or just chill out in your own personally decorated and customisable apartment. It's your very own home away from home - and only on PlayStation.

Life with PlayStation

A lifestyle service on PlayStation 3, Life with PlayStation offers you a new visual and interactive way to access news and information from around the world. The Live Channel brings a host of services to your screen thanks to a 3D globe which allows you to gather weather information, news headlines, live camera images of nearly 60 cities worldwide and more, all free of charge and from established sources such as The Weather Channel, Google News and The Earth Television Network.

Using Life with PlayStation also gives you the chance to make a difference to lives and contribute to the Stanford University Folding@home initiative, a pioneering computing program designed to increase the understanding of serious diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis and many cancers. By connecting your PS3 to the Internet and using the Folding@home option, your system's processing power helps speed up the computer research progress needed to help scientists understand these life threatening diseases more and attempt to find cures.

There's a whole world awaiting you on PlayStation Network - so sign up, sign in and join the millions already taking part.