Last month, the internet was abuzz with the news that Sony is thinking about charging for its online service, PlayStation Network. Kaz Hirai, however, was quick to the forefront in announcing that all of the current amenities offered on the Network would continue to be free, but upcoming features may require a subscription.
It seems plausible that Hirai is talking about the ability to have premium avatars or things of that nature, but recent comments from Masayuki Chatani has brought back the murmurs of a monthly subscription plan similar to Xbox Live.
“We would face difficulties if our business depended solely on the sell-and-forget model. After we sell the hardware, though, we continue to sell products such as content and services,” he said.
“We can also accept payment in a growing number of ways,” he added. “In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges.”
I don’t have a problem with this so long as the ability to play online with your friends is still free to all. If they change that formula at all, I think the company can expect quite the backlash.
What do you guys think?
I could pay for a few privileges, depending on how expensive they are.
I hate it, its pointless, if ur goin 2 start doin it now, u shoulve at the start! People will hate this idea
I received a mail rom sony but i dont know if it optional? is it? cause i dont wanna pay
never mind i already read this sure was ignorant lol
I’m hoping for it to be honest, hopefully most of the annoying kids and cheaters/glitchers will stop playing on the Playstation Network.
ive said it b4, and ill say it again, i dont mind paying for extra privilleges, just keep online gaming free, and let the extras be worth mi wild
If they’re going to make a subscription fee they should do it right and put the piddly crap aside and go big.
Not paying and selling my ps3 if cant play online with friends for free. Done deal.
Well it definately should be free, but if it has some decent features for a relatively affordable price ($15-$20 a year), I’d sign up!
i am not digging this at all
as long as playing online is free, im good
God I hope they don’t want to start charging for EVERYTHING like that M$ company does
well we aint losing anything, if the premiums good. ill pay as long as its as cheap as xbox live and id prefer to pay yearly like my bro does for xbox
I WILL NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER PAY TO PLAY WITH MY FRIENDS ON PSN!!! IF PLAYSTATION STARTS CHARGING US I WILL PROTEST AND BUY A FREAKING XBOX AND PAY FOR XBOX LIVE!!! PLAYSTATION MADE THEE DECISION TO HAVE FREE ONLINE PLAY AND NOW THEY SHOULD STICK WITH IT!!! IT ESPECIALLY BETTER NOT BE MORE THAN XBOX LIVE OR I WILL NEVER CONSIDER GOING BACK TO PLAYSTATION!!!
As long as I can play online without paying, it’s fair enough.
better not get monthly fees, that’ll be even GAYER than the 360! a yearly fee of 30 bucks would be fine for me…50 atmost..
If it’s for new avatars and extra things like that idc. But things like game betas will probably be charged, in which case I don’t approve.
I will pay for it for avatars. To be honest the ones available are pretty lame. It would be awesome if somehow they would segregate the subscribers from nonsubscribers somehow to give the premium dedicated severs. THAT is worth $10 a month.
As long as its EXTRA features I could pay for, then that’s fine.
But REGULAR online play and doing all the stuff we do now NO THANKS!
If its gonna be optional and I can still play online games for free than i could care less. If its forced Im gonna buy an xbox or switch 2 PC gaming because atleast xbox you get some of what you pay for like crossgame chat( WITH VOICES NOT TEXT ) and they have a bigger online community.