Not just for premium subscriptions like previously thought
[QUOTE=PSExtreme]Sony has often said that although they are planning a Premium subscription service for the PlayStation Network, the basic membership will always remain free. But big business has a way of changing that outlook.
We know the Premium service is coming later this year, although we haven't seen any official plans or details just yet. However, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai may have dropped a bomb we weren't expecting: according to European site PS3Clan, his latest statements say that if you wish to remain a PSN subscriber, you'll have to pay...no matter what. Most of that article through the link is in Dutch but it's the English translation of Hirai's comments that will turn plenty of heads and ruffle a few feathers:
"We are confident the Premium service will differentiate the PSN further from other online services. With the new functionalities the PSN will offer the most complete online experience possible. SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of software and the PSN. New functionalities as ‘cross game chat’ and Facebook connectivity, are part of our ambition to grow towards a profitable position.
However, to increase revenues further, we are forced to charge a subscription fee to all PSN users, instead of offering Premium services as an optional subscription. I cannot comment in depth at this time but we are looking at $60 to $80 a year. In return, the full Premium services package will be available to anyone without additional subscription fees. The Premium service will be available in the third quarter of this year for everyone to enjoy."
Of course, it could be a screwy translation but that doesn't really seem likely. It appears they toyed with the idea of an optional Premium subscription but perhaps they were worried that wouldn't bring in enough revenue; hence, they decided upon simply charging everyone a certain fee like Microsoft does for their Xbox Live service. Perhaps they don't need the "free online" benefit to sell PS3s these days but current users likely won't be too happy about the new cost. Then again, one can definitely make an argument that the Network has not only caught but surpassed Live in many areas. Is that not worth $60 to $80 per year?
Well, we're not sure. We'll have to see how Sony responds to this and it'll also be interesting to see the widespread gamer response...[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/6835.html[/url]
I could care less about Linux support. But this, if true, which it sounds like it is, is going to piss off most of their fanbase.
Let's just hope it's a shitty translation.
[u][b]Update:[/b][/u]
Turns out this was a shitty April fool's joke. Move along.
I don't believe that at all and I don't think the majority of people with a PS3 will pay for online if they do go through with it.
This would be a stupid move on Sony's part to it's current customer base and future revenue. Sure, they would make money from the people who actually decide PSN is worth some money but honestly after owning a 360 for a 2 year period before my PS3 I can tell you PSN in its current state is subpar compared to Xbox Live even at the time I used it. I bought a PS3 after nothing but problems on the 360 side of things and paying to use my own Internet to play games online was one of the things I was glad the PS3 did right. I for one would probably not purchase a subscription as I tend to not use my PS3 nearly as often as my PC, at least they can't charge us to play that online. (Yet...)
Fuck yes.
Those damn PS3 elitists hardly have anything left on 360 players now.
There's no way all the PS3 freeloaders will accept having to pay.
I prefer Xbox 360 over PS3 because I can play Halo :woop:
Well it's not like they need it to be free to sell PS3s anymore. All this will do is upset a large portion of their userbase, but I bet a lot of them will still pay for it.
Sony's going to give up one of their biggest marketing advantages over the 360?
Why? This will piss off a lot of people (BTW calling ppl ps2 elitists, then saying 360 is better makes you an elitist too. ALso, why the hell would MS release a system that fails so much. 50% failure? COME ON MICROSOFT!! :/)
I have my problems with both systems, but there are not a whole lot of games I play online on ps3, hell even on 360. Gears is old, halo bored me, COD is full of whiney kids.
PS3 has a couple exclusives with online, but nothing I am still playing. One of the better things about the ps3 is the Basic web thing were free (buying and downloading games, internet, netflix) This is just dumb, get some more online games, the you can charge us to play.
Hate to say it, but it looks like I will be sticking with my PC for all my online gaming.
[QUOTE=Soldier32;21049037]Sony's going to give up one of their biggest marketing advantages over the 360?[/QUOTE]
They still have the huge number of exclusives.
Seriously, this console feels like it's on life support, the only thing keeping it alive is free PSN and exclusive games.
the death of the PS3 if it's true.
[QUOTE=ProBo;21049054]Why? This will piss off a lot of people (BTW calling ppl ps2 elitists, then saying 360 is better makes you an elitist too. ALso, why the hell would MS release a system that fails so much. 50% failure? COME ON MICROSOFT!! :/)
I have my problems with both systems, but there are not a whole lot of games I play online on ps3, hell even on 360. Gears is old, halo bored me, COD is full of whiney kids.
PS3 has a couple exclusives with online, but nothing I am still playing. One of the better things about the ps3 is the Basic web thing were free (buying and downloading games, internet, netflix) This is just dumb, get some more online games, the you can charge us to play.
Hate to say it, but it looks like I will be sticking with my PC for all my online gaming.[/QUOTE]
Wat.
I never stated 360 was better. I was just stating that now PS3 users can't scream "YEAH?! WELL FUCK YOU XBOX CUNT60 PLAYERS, WE GET LINUX AND FREE INTERNET".
Well then.
I hope BC:2 has a good campaign.
Will there be some kind of firmwire update preventing me from playing any of my games if I don't purchase a PSN subscription?
What is this blasphemy
This was the only reason I considered buying a PS3 over 360. Now I'm glad I own neither and stick to PC gaming.
i won't pay this
fuck off sony
:colbert: No sir, I don't like it.
Agh.
PSN being free was one of the reasons I wanted a PS3. :saddowns:
Fuck sake, one of the main reasons I bought a PS3 like 2 weeks ago was because of no shitty fees.
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHHHHHHHH
I am rather displeased at this, as the majority of the games I play use online services in one form or another.
I'll believe it when there is an official press release. This is the only site I have found currently reporting it, leading me to believe there was shitty translation from the keynote.
April fools? :ohdear:
And now the PS3 only has Blu-ray over the 360.
I mainly use my computer for gaming, and rarely use my PS3 any more. But when I do, I play online. What's the point of paying for it if I won't be using it that often?
[editline]10:03PM[/editline]
But I'm not sure, it looks like screwy translations to me. From what I gathered they're saying they will charge everybody 60-80 a year but then premium will be free? That doesn't make any sense.
Ok I just read this
[quote=Bullshit Article]However, to increase revenues further, we are forced to charge a subscription fee to all PSN users, instead of offering Premium services as an optional subscription[/quote]
Now let me ask the following. How many of you are aware how massive companies, say Sony for instance, handle stuff like their PR and press releases? Because I can guarantee you no company with the finances and reputation on the line like Sony would ever even BEGIN to imply something of that magnitude in the way the article has worded it.
Do you even realize how their stockholders would react if such information was spoken like that in such a manner? People aren't stupid, they'd see through that. This article is outright bullshit and this is either a really bad early April Fool's joke or someone trying to damage Sony.
"We are [i]forced[/i] to charge". Stop right there. There is no fucking way a company will word something like their motives or reasoning behind "charging" for something so bluntly and outright. Thus nullifying this entire article.
Like I said, I'll believe it when there's an official press release. But this just reeks bullshit to me.
[QUOTE=Teh Zip File;21049679]Agh.
PSN being free was one of the reasons I wanted a PS3. :saddowns:[/QUOTE]
This.
Looks like the money I'm getting from my job will go towards a new CPU and monitor.
[QUOTE=ItchyBarracuda;21050092]Do you even realize how their stockholders would react if such information was spoken like that in such a manner?[/QUOTE]
They would get a massive erection, because they would get more money. Sony doesn't need a free online service to stay competitive with Microsoft anymore with all the exclusives that are coming out for it and it's blu-ray player.
PSExtreme is generally a pretty good blog, I had posted this just after they did, and I'm surprised no one else has picked it up yet, though it's possible that everyone else is sleeping. So I'm hoping it's all just bs.
[QUOTE=DamagePoint;21050246]They would get a massive erection, because they would get more money. Sony doesn't need a free online service to stay competitive with Microsoft anymore with all the exclusives that are coming out for it and it's blu-ray player.
PSExtreme is generally a pretty good blog, I had posted this just after they did, and I'm surprised no one else has picked it up yet, though it's possible that everyone else is sleeping. So I'm hoping it's all just bs.[/QUOTE]
They would flip a shit because they of all people understand the public relations and financial repercussions that would incur if such information was presented in this manner. Meaning they'd pull out because they would foresee the shitstorm that would ensue with the advent of such an announcement.
Why sony Why?
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