Sony Plans To Charge For PSN [Sony PowerPoint Leaks Plan For 'Premium Service' On PSN]

Posted November 23rd 2009 by Kevin under Computer/Console Gaming

psn network

During a PowerPoint presentation on Sony’s gaming strategy for the upcoming years, it was revealed in 2010 Sony plans to add a ‘new revenue stream’ to PSN, and when Sony Computer Entertainment chief Kaz Hirari was contacted by Gamestop, he confirmed that Sony plans to offer a ‘premium service’ to PSN, which one assumes is going to be similar to Xbox Live Gold.

One of Microsoft’s brilliant moves was charge money for the Xbox Live service, and to provide brilliant cross-game support, compared to the free and scattered online services of the Sony Playstation 2 and Sega Dreamcast.

When the Sony Playstation 3 was released with online features comparable to the Xbox Live service, PS3 fanboys in message boards across the net gladly pointed out that PSN was completely free vs. Xbox Live’s annual $50 subscription fee. That is, until now.

Sony was quick to point out that even without paid memberships, revenue from PSN was up in 2009, three times what it was in 2008. Revenue mainly comes from extra downloadable content for games sold on the network, as well as movies and television shows sold by PSN’s PlayStation Network.

Hirari stated that all of PSN’s current ‘free play’ services, which include online play, Facebook integration and Netflix streaming video, will all remain free in the future. With all this, it isn’t clear what the ‘premium service’ will offer. Some have speculated possibly cross-game voice chat, which a Xbox Live Gold membership offers.

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3 Comments for “Sony Plans To Charge For PSN [Sony PowerPoint Leaks Plan For 'Premium Service' On PSN]”

Mark | November 28th, 2009 at 6:14 pm

(Comment Removed by Editor)
Mark, I will not tolerate comments of this nature. If you wish to address one of my team you will do it in a civil manner, my friend, or your comment will be rejected – as this one has been. My team work damned hard on the site and I have the greatest of respect for them and, as this is my site, whilst I will, of course, accept arguments, criticism, etc, I will not stand by and have people such as yourself refer to anyone I work with and respect in the fashion you did.
If you wish to come back and re-phrase your comment, that’s fine – otherwise kindly keep your insults to yourself.
Moreover, the comment you made would indicate that you didn’t even manage to read the post properly:
Hirari stated that all of PSN’s current ‘free play’ services, which include online play, Facebook integration and Netflix streaming video, will all remain free in the future.
Talon | December 5th, 2009 at 9:42 pm

They really already have “Premium Service”. Qore for example, its give you exclusive news, insights, on PS3 exclusives and multiplatform games. It also gives you exclusive content downloads non-Qore subscibers can access. If you keep the Multiplayer, In-game Messaging, Facebook Intergration, Netflix Streaming, Internet Browser, Demos, free. Well I’d have to say I love Sony.
But back to my original point Pulse is another “Premium Service”. On top of this, I noticed Sony is adding “Premium” Avatars( You can find the Premium Avatars in the Avatar search, although none have been added). So I’m assuming that will go with they’re new service.
Either way, whatever PSN adds, it will probably be cheaper then XBL Gold. I love my 360, but Microsoft is a little greedy. But who knows, they might just need cash for “The Red Ring Of Death.”
Rick | December 7th, 2009 at 10:42 pm

I am saddened to read this. I wish Sony would reconsider this decision and keep it free, or at least make it free with so many game or DLC purchases. The free content was why I chose PS3 over the 360.