This is one of those rumors that will never die, but it looks like it’s finally about to come out of the fog. According to sources over at Joystiq, Sony is going to be launching a premium service for PlayStation Network during its 2010 E3 Expo media briefing. This follows similar rumors reported by VG247.
The service, reportedly called PSN+, is going to provide players with additional bonuses without limiting the current free PSN service. Sources tell Joystiq that the bonuses include a rotating list of PSP Minis and PSone Classics, PlayStation Store discounts, exclusive in-game DLC, and ‘first hour’ demos. The ‘first hour’ demos are the most interesting part of the rumors: Players would have an hour to play full, untouched retail titles with the option to purchase the title at the end of the hour.
PSN+ subscribers would automatically fall under Sony’s recently-announced PlayStation Protection Plan. In addition, they would receive exclusive access to cross-game voice chat, and other planned features, like a rumored cloud-based saving system and an auto-patcher. The auto-patcher would automatically download updates for frequently played titles.
Release information remains unknown, but Joystiq’s source is reporting a subscription fee of $9.99 a month.
Sony remains mum on the entire thing, and a Sony representative said the company will not “comment on rumors or speculation.”
