PSN to Get Premium Subscriptions?

[John Funk]

PSN to Get Premium Subscriptions?

Sony's PlayStation Network could be joining its rival Xbox Live with a subscription revenue model - but only for "premium content," says Sony boss Kaz Hirai.

One of the advantages frequently pointed out by PS3 fan(boy)s is that Sony's PSN is free, whereas Microsoft's Xbox Live Gold requires a subscription fee. When some sharp-eyed folks noticed that Slide 39 in labled one of the PSN's strengths as a "new revenue stream from subscription," [http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/IR/info/strategy/pdf/200911presen.pdf] predictably, some Sony fans reacted as though the sky was falling - how could wonderful Sony turn their backs on us devotees?

Not to worry, says Mr. Ridge Racer Kaz Hirai [http://www.vg247.com/2009/11/19/hirai-current-psn-service-to-remain-free-subs-for-premium-content-and-services/]. Yes, the media giant is looking at adding subscriptions to PSN, but only for new forms of content - in other words, Kaz is saying that you'll be still be able to play online for free:

"SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network ... [e]specially in the online area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services."

Of course, now the question becomes, "What, exactly, does 'premium content and services' entail?" Let's take Sony at face value for now and assume that nothing will be removed from the current PSN, everything included with the subscription will all be additional. What would Sony have up its sleeve to make it worth the fee? Extra demos? Exclusive skins and artwork? Download speeds that don't suck?

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[chemicalfire]

I am one of those fanboys that always held our free network up in the face of Xbawks users. However, I am not upset so long as I can still game for free. I really enjoy the Sony products and if they have to add a premium pay service to maintain enough revenue to continue support for the playstation, then so be it.

 

[Simalacrum]

Whaaaaat?!

I don't CARE what the premium content might entail, I don't like subscription fee's and I never will! Surely they get enough revenue from people buying stuff from the PSN Store??? Can't they just give us this 'premium' content for free like everything else?

 

[persona J]

im not paying for both psn sucks anyway. he's going to put people off with this everyone i no only got a ps3 coz u dont have to pay for psn. (i no u still get online gaming but i dont no anyone who even uses it on the ps3)

 

[John Funk]

Whaaaaat?!

I don't CARE what the premium content might entail, I don't like subscription fee's and I never will! Surely they get enough revenue from people buying stuff from the PSN Store??? Can't they just give us this 'premium' content for free like everything else?

I'd imagine that most of the PSN revenue goes to the people making the content. If you buy fl0w, your money goes to ThatGameCompany (with probably a small portion going to Sony); it's not all change in Sony's pockets.

 

[DTWolfwood]

ITS OPTIONAL PEOPLE!
Plus they have always said that this was a possibility, just looks like its has arrived.
Go Sony! You need all the money you can get! XD

I'm not gonna subscribe but surely someone out there will XD

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

The ability to know what the hell is going on in half of Sony's ads would be nice.

 

[akmarksman]

I've never minded paying for LIVE..infact I've spent more money on original Xbox games when they first came out then the 4 years I've been on LIVE.

Hell you should see my 360 game collection..with the exception of 3 titles,I've spent almost $2000 on games..and thats not including DLC or other things.
(I have 32 games that I have bought in the past years)

 

[Robby Foxfur]

I'm gonna bet its the download speeds thing, I mean hell the only other thing they could do is make it so you can access porn and even then the download speed thing would still bring in more customers.

 

[Teh_Doomage]

Hey, Sony is taking a small play from Microsoft's book. A paid subscription service isn't bad. And since it's optional, like Live is, they should stop crying wolf.

 

[Chimaera]

The ability to know what the hell is going on in half of Sony's ads would be nice.

Behind the Scenes as premium content.

 

[Bat Vader]

I am one of those fanboys that always held our free network up in the face of Xbawks users. However, I am not upset so long as I can still game for free. I really enjoy the Sony products and if they have to add a premium pay service to maintain enough revenue to continue support for the playstation, then so be it.

Pry not best to openly say you are a fanboy. 360 fanboys may start to flame you.

 

[AddytheGreat]

My PS3 downloads quickly, its really quite quick in fact...
What new hings could they add though? I dont know what Xbox live has, so I wouldnt know what they could add

 

[SantoUno]

I don't see what they could add as premium service that would be worth paying for. It really depends on the price. For example if the price was, say... about $5 a month like XBL they would have to implement some really good services or else it wouldn't be worth it in my eyes.

 

[chronobreak]

First, they came for the premium services, and I didn't speak up because I didn't care about downloading comics on my PS3. Then, they came for the online gaming, and nobody was left to speak up because Sony has us by the balls.

 

[JoshGod]

I'm gonna bet its the download speeds thing, I mean hell the only other thing they could do is make it so you can access porn and even then the download speed thing would still bring in more customers.

actually ive just gone and checked and the browser on ps3 does allow you to watch porn videos.
(watch not download)

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

If it included faster downloads, I'd be very happy.
Note to Sony: When I update my firmware I don't want it to take all day.

 

[Scizophrenic Llama]

Whaaaaat?!

I don't CARE what the premium content might entail, I don't like subscription fee's and I never will! Surely they get enough revenue from people buying stuff from the PSN Store??? Can't they just give us this 'premium' content for free like everything else?

I'd imagine that most of the PSN revenue goes to the people making the content. If you buy fl0w, your money goes to ThatGameCompany (with probably a small portion going to Sony); it's not all change in Sony's pockets.

Actually it cost the companies more to put up DLC on the PSN versus what it would be on Live. Escapist Article [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/90344-Sony-Charges-Third-Parties-for-Selling-DLC]

Maybe this will allow more content for the PS3. If I was a smaller company, I wouldn't want to put out a demo that could potentially cost me a hefty amount of cash.

 

[BaldursBananaSoap]

No, Xbox live isn't even worth paying for with all it's kids, cluttered interface, ads and laggy P2P servers.