Rumor Mill: New Version of PlayStation Network Is in Beta Stage

An image has been posted on the Internet which is said to show the new look of the PlayStation Network service from Sony, which at the moment is rumored to be in closed beta stage and will be introduced for all users at the beginning of 2012.

One of the beta testers has posted a screengrab of the new PSN interface, although he did not offer any information on what the changes are beyond the cosmetic element.

The user, named Afrotravis, has not made it clear whether the image you can see is linked to the PSN website or whether it is also accessible through the PlayStation 3 home gaming consoles.

A XMB seems to be visible in the image but the feel is more that of a browser based application.

Sony has not offered any official comment on the leaked image.

Of course, it could all be an elaborate hoax created by someone with good image editing skills.

But it makes sense for Sony to be working on a new look for the PlayStation Network because of the impending launch of the PlayStation Vita and the drive to get customers more interested in picking up more content on the service.

The basic elements and multiplayer done through it are free, which was long seen as an advantage over the Live service for the Xbox 360, but Sony has struggled at times to offer the same amount of non-gaming content.

The PSN was also attacked during the month of April this year and hacker managed to get access to a huge number of personal accounts, complete with credit card information.

Since the attacks Sony claims that the number of users has increased, along with activity, but a change in the image of the PSN might be needed to make sure that gamers no longer associate the service with the security breach.