PSN to Charge Subscription Fees?
Before you go off the deep end, consider a couple things here.
First, I heard this rumor first as of last night while playing a game of Fat Princess. In it, the rumor was that PSN was going to go to a subscription model like Xbox Live. This is actually further from the truth. Here’s the actual timeline:
- Sept. 2007 – Playstation forum members pose question of whether or not PSN should charge for services.
- Jan. 2008 – Asia gets a Sony questionnaire on whether or not a subscription model would be good for an all-access download model. Something like a check out X number of games at a time type of service for a monthly fee.
- May 2009 – Either the survey is still out, or this rumor is still floating.
Which brings us to today. Two years down the road, this thing is still going on. But let’s get something straight. Sony is not looking to charge for the access of PSN, but actually thinking about (or maybe they aren’t anymore since it has been a long while since they have acted on this questionnaire) providing a subscription model for monthly downloads. This actually is a pretty interesting idea, especially now that the PSP-Go is a reality and future PSP games will be download only. Either way, as a Sony supporter I have to say that they really would be providing a great option for their gamers by furthering choice. If they do however play the access game, then they’ll alienate their user base in a great way. I mean who really ever lived paying for Xbox Live anyways?
September 30th, 2009 • 
Darius Sartre • 
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comment | November 26, 2009 at 10:01 | individual comment-link
I think it’s ridiculous that they’re charging to play online on PSN..
And unless it’s ridiculously cheap, I wont be paying.. Screw it!
Might just stick with the lil old Wii..
I’m already paying for my internet service, I refuse to pay twice!
That’s why I never wanted an xbox 360.. >:(
It’s stupid..
comment | November 26, 2009 at 10:19 | individual comment-link
There isn’t actually going to be a paid service for PSN. I was just pointing out that Sony was actually looking into a subscription model for for downloads. Basically something like a library system where you can download all the latest and greatest games for X dollars a month. When you’re done, check it back in… and check out some other game. That’s actually basically the Netflix model for gaming which isn’t a bad idea.
comment | November 26, 2009 at 11:54 | individual comment-link
I uhh may have gone a little off-topic there.. My apologies..
What do you make of this part of the new PSN ToS?
*****You may buy a subscription for a period of online game play, access to content or other activity. Subscriptions last for a fixed period of time specified on purchase, for example, a week or a month (“the Subscription Period”). The Subscription Period will vary for different services and will be explained to you before you purchase your first subscription.*****
From here:
http://www.scei.co.jp/ps3-eula/psn/e/e_tosua_en.html
I’m so confused because I don’t want to believe it’s turning intio xboxlive..
comment | November 26, 2009 at 12:06 | individual comment-link
Pretty generic legal speak. That technically applies to current subscription models to things like Qore. Legal probably wrote it in the most wide encompassing mannerism regardless of their upcoming projects.
Every attorney I’ve ever had to deal with on a business sense would have written the same thing. But I can see why gamers would fear that this might be foretelling of something to come. Personally though, I wouldn’t sweat it so much.
comment | November 26, 2009 at 13:51 | individual comment-link
Ok nice one! I’m clearly not intelligent enough to understand these things lol..
I’m not afraid to admit it..
Anyway, thanks. I feel a little better now..
I might even buy that slim PS3 after xmas hehe..
Sorry my comments were of no relevance to your topic.. :/