Subscription services are a contentious element for PSN users, since many seem worried that features that are currently free would become paid-only in the near future as Sony looks to monetize its online service. While Sony has acknowledged that they were looking into subscription services, the exact details of what they were considering has been a mystery to those on the outside of the company... until today.
In a copy of a Sony survey sent to Kotaku, the company hinted what a PSN subscription service could encompass. Extra features could include credits for online purchases, online data storage, reward programs, a variety of social features, and Hulu TV and Netflix features. Also listed are full time trials where users can play PS3 games for an hour and access PSOne Classic titles, PSP minis, and premium themes. Cross-game voice chat, a long anticipated feature, was also mentioned as something offered up to subscribers. Four different plans were detailed, with three costing $69.99 a year or $9.99 a month and one set at $4.99 a month and $29.99 a year.
It's worth noting that the sender of the survey indicated that all currently free features of PSN (such as online multiplayer gaming) would remain free; also, though none of this is official right now, it seems very likely that Sony will push out some premium subscription service in 2010. It'll be interesting to see how any sort of subscription service integrates Qore, an online magazine service which offers early beta invitations with every episode.
2 Comments
December 21, 2009
"a Variety of social features" The vagueness of that part is what is troublesome. Sony, No Subscriptions for Cross game voice chat nor any other feature that directly impacts Multiplayer gaming.
On the other hand i'm sure playstation fans will have no problem with subscriptions for time trails, unlimited ps one classics downloads or movies/TV shows (I like the movies subscription Idea). But leave it at that.
If anything i've heard some playstation owners open to paying a one time fee for highly requested features like Cross Game Chat (not me), In game music and mainly Backwards Compatibility. I think those should be offered free though of course.
I will never pay to play games online beyond my monthly internet bill which I already find ridiculous. Some like me will just not play online but you will those _____ (I don't know what to call them and I'm just trying to refrain from insulting people because I don't like them) who will jump on board though. I was (still am, currently) a big (PlayStation) PS3 supporter but the more times that goes on it seems like you guys are starting the copy some of the worst parts from your competition.Motion Controls and Online Yearly fees. Please Stop lol. I certainly hope PS4 won't have a Online Subscription service out the gate because i'll be completely kipping online gaming the next generation.
If the survey came from sony then i'm considering it official already that the a subscription is almost certain. Just thinking back to the god of war 3 survey.
That could be more than 2 cents right there xD.
December 22, 2009
I been telling everyone this that cross game chat will be a paid service for over a year why people think this should be free i really don't have a clue why. I will paid for this service because of the other features and those features make PSN a better service then XBL . My XBL account will be done in five months and when that happen i will not paid for any more if Sony make this service happen this is what XBL should have been.