Sony planning paid PSN subscriptions for 2010

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Hylian

Hylian

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6240938.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;4


One the biggest selling points of the PlayStation 3 is that gamers can use the console to play online at no additional charge. However, evidence has surfaced that the company is planning a two-tiered subscription model for the PlayStation Network similar to--but also fundamentally different from--Xbox Live.

Slides accompanying a Thursday presentation by Sony show that the company is planning a "new revenue stream from subscription" on PSN in 2010. [UPDATE] During the presentation, which emphasized Sony's plans to make its game business profitable in the next fiscal year, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai confirmed the plans. "We will be building upon our current free [PSN] service offering with premium content and services to start the subscription model," he told attendees.
Perhaps to assuage PS3 owners' fears that they would soon have to pay to play online, Hirai issued a subsequent statement indicating the present level of service would remain gratis.
"SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral, and PlayStation Network," Hirai said in a statement given to British outlets, such as CVG. "Especially 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." (Emphasis added.)

As of press time, US Sony reps had not offered Hirai's statement or further clarification about its subscription plans for the PlayStation Network. Luckily, though, the "current free services" currently offered on PSN include online play, Facebook integration, and Netflix video streaming. On Xbox Live, both of those features are only accessible at the Gold membership level, which costs at least $50 per year.
[UPDATE] Even without subscriptions, PSN revenue is on the rise. For the current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2010, Sony expects ¥50 billion ($563 million) in earnings from the service, a threefold increase from the year prior. In addition to game-related content, the PSN's retail component--the PlayStation Store--offers video offerings, such as television shows and movies for both rental and sale.
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C

Chibibar

hmmm... I wonder how would that effect online play. I am guessing that "premium" content will get access to "more stable" servers and such for group play while free PSN members will just play on "old and busted" servers ;)
 
A

Alucard

All I'm saying is that I blame you 360 users for this move partly.
 
C

Chibibar

BlackCat said:
All I'm saying is that I blame you 360 users for this move partly.
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Heh, I knew this was coming sooner or later. The PS3 unit were sold at a loss (not sure if they are still with the newer models) so Sony gotta make up their loss somehow.

I'm sure 360 pricing had Sony looking into it. I mean people willing to pay a year subs for basic services. That is a lot of money they "could" be getting. It is all about the bottom line baby.
 
figmentPez

figmentPez

Staff member
Espy;304228][quote=Charlie Dont Surf said:
If they make Netflix pay-to-use, I will have a shitfit
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I think the article says nothing that is there RIGHT NOW will change from being free.
Although Netflix isn't free. Unless I'm missing something.[/QUOTE]

To watch Netflix on the Xbox 360 you have to have a gold account, in addition to having a Netflix subscription, if I'm not mistaken. I assume Charlie Dont Surf is worried that a premium PSN subscription will be required. Since the current implementation of Netflix on PS3 is through a BD Live disc, I'm guessing that route isn't connected to PSN at all, but it's possible the future software planned for the PS3 to do Netflix without a disc might be, and could potentially require a paid PSN subscription.
 
J

Joe Johnson

If they can make money on it, they will charge for it. I wouldn't be surprised if they became pay to play as well, sometime down the road.
 
Seraphyn

Seraphyn

Not really surprising, this is money MS was pocketing easily and they were not. Most people won't care, and the vocal minority will throw a tantrum, then pay up.
Easy money, it'd be stupid not to do it when you're looking into ways to actually make money of the console.
 
C

Chibibar

There is a pro-side to this, when Sony DO start charging, they have to keep their server up and running and stable ;) cause people will expect that.
 
Espy

Espy

Which exclusives do you want more? If GOW III is your pick, man, I would go PS3. Besides Blu-Ray it's the main reason I did.
 
KCWM

KCWM

BlackCrossCrusader;306388][quote=David said:
I'm still undecided if I'd rather have a PS3 or 360. Each has exclusive games I want.
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Fuck platform fanboism, get them both![/QUOTE]

I don't think fanboism is the root cause here. I'm think shelling out $600+tax is probably the bigger issue. Unless he wen the route of the arcade and picked up a used, smaller hard drive for the 360. Then, you're still looking at around $600+tax.

After having my xbox replaced, I've realized two places where the price drop came from...they no longer include an HDMI cable or component cables anymore. The Elite I got just came with composite. Fortunately, I forgot to return my HDMI cable...oops.
 
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