Sony To Charge One All-Encompassing Fee For PSN Content?
The video game industry is a business, and we fully understand the need for profit. But how would you feel about fees associated with the PlayStation Network?
The rumor that Sony would eventually require fees for the Network has been around since the PS3's inception, but Sony has often said over and over again that they don't want to do this. In fact, we distinctly recall one Sony executive (it may have been Susan Panico) saying that free Network access was like a "universal right," or something like that. But the rumor has returned again, as some sources, including TAWKN and PS3Center, have taken some information from a recent survey and postulated that fees may be imminent. But it won't be a subscription fee like Xbox Live; it'd be a one-time fee that gives you access to content for both the PS3 and PSP. In other words, maybe you'd pay one amount that would allow you to download a certain number of downloadable content pieces, including full games and add-ons. We're not sure how this would relate to the current costs that accompany premium content, but perhaps one overall price for the month might actually save a gamer some money if he takes full advantage of the download limit. Who knows? We're just tossing some ideas out there.
Of course, some of you might want to just leave things as they are. I don't have a problem with the current set-up, personally; I kinda like this whole "just pay for what you want when you feel like it" thing.
5/20/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (89 posts)
Edmeist33
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:02:02 PM
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I have a 360, and aside from custom soundtracks and cross game voice chat (few little things here and there) the PSN is not at all different.
I think they should just leave it as it is. Don't fix what's not broken, methinks.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:06:25 PM
Gregory Freeman
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:37:28 PM
they should pull a mobile phone company move, give us the option every time you buy...
[What System Plan Would You Like To Use For Your Purchase Today?]
[Pay Full Price - $19.99] [Sub. Fee - $29.99]
that's just the way i see it... if that works for sony, then il support it... i'd buy the subscription fee either way though... (Granted those damn psn cards actually show their faces up north... how long does that funking take???)
kratos17
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 5:08:25 PM
kratos17
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 5:22:45 PM
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:09:11 PM
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Lord carlos
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:20:07 PM
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Lord carlos
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:06:52 PM
fatelementality
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:28:48 PM
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Last edited by fatelementality on 5/20/2009 10:33:15 PM
Gregory Freeman
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:43:37 PM
Sony knows best... if they do something, it has to benifit us somehow... cuz remember... they arent microsoft.
LegendaryWolfeh
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:46:06 PM
Lord carlos
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:47:59 PM
fatelementality
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 11:40:49 PM
Highlightreel
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:54:30 PM
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The Stig
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 5:44:28 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 11:39:00 PM
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fatelementality
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:53:38 AM
The Stig
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 5:47:56 AM
fatelementality
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:58:51 AM
Gregory Freeman
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 3:30:02 PM
-warhawk booster packs
-Cod Map Packs
-KZ2 DLC
-Socom
-Flower
-Re5 versus unlock
-cuboid
-Ragdoll kung fu
-burn zombie burn
-pain
-Pain DLC
-Burnout Paradise DLC
-Burnout Paradise
the list goes on... Rather than pay the 5-15 bucks each... hell if the main fee is 20 bucks a month, instant savings...
but this WILL ONLY WORK IF THE ORIGINAL OPTION IS KEPT. ppl do hate being forced into fees, but if given the option it psychologically works in a positive way. (an example is democracy vs. dictatorship; but yu do run into those who rather the dictatorship, then the democracy..)
crapreviews
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:03:06 AM
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The Stig
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 5:50:30 AM
Highlander
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:05:21 AM
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Think about it this way, you can either buy the content you want as and when you want it, or you can rent content for a specific period, and finally you can choose to pay a fixed monthly fee and get immediate access to anything you want. I know that won't work for a lot of people, but equally so a lot of people would consider paying a fee for unlimited access to everything on PSN. Obviously you lose everything if you don't pay up, and there might even be a requirement that you log in to the PSN for your use to be authenticated. But it's not a terrible idea, assuming that it's just another option.
As Ben has pointed out this isn't a payment for accessing pSN or playing games you own, it would be a monthly fee for PSN downloadable content.
Slow down and think people.
Mamills
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:14:29 AM
Gregory Freeman
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 3:34:58 PM
Charger7302
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:22:21 AM
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fatelementality
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:56:00 AM
Alienange
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 2:04:15 PM
LegendaryWolfeh
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:22:39 AM
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Qubex
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 3:04:01 AM
So what I need is PSN to remain free - which I think will be be the case as Sony shouldn't charge us for playing online; and only purchase the odd AAA title that is really worth playing on the hardware.
I really do hope that "future" PSN-based subscription charging models do not become an all encompassing charge for everything...
Q!
"i am home"
Oyashiro
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:39:49 AM
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And if it does come on to the PSN, It will most likely be a optional payment plan. I doubt they would give up a system that works quite well. And this is just for content. You can still play games online with out any fees.
shadowpal2
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:43:37 AM
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somethingrandom
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:51:03 AM
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Advent Child
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 1:14:39 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 1:18:01 AM
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SplendidBlended
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 1:20:23 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 4:36:41 AM
phudge_supreemz
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 1:38:39 AM
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BikerSaint
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 2:00:18 AM
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I don't buy D/l games, & I only download some demo's just to find out if they'll be a must-have or not "psyhical" buy for me later on.
Just give us a survey on fixing that damned lousy browser!
How about a new browser that actually works right, one that fits the screen and is still readable all at the same damned time!!!!
Qubex
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 3:04:51 AM
SkantDragon
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 3:17:18 AM
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The 360 fanboys have long spread rumors that the PSN would start charging just like their own service does. It's just a FUD tactic. I doubt you mean to, but you are inadvertently helping their cause.
When a well respected site like this posts these rumors, it adds a sense of legitimacy to them.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 8:27:49 AM
SkantDragon
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 1:34:11 PM
I think perhaps you have me confused with someone else. I've only commented a couple of times so far.
I'm just saying here that in the last while you've been going pretty heavily into rumor and speculation with your posts.
You've often commented on the lack of responsibility shown by other sites and publications in what they write. I just think you might consider the impact of someone like yourself spreading these rumors. Whether or not they are good or bad for Sony. A lot of people put faith in what you have to say.
I'm not trying to slam you or anything. I'm a fan of your work here. Just... suggesting something you might want to think about.
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 3:08:36 PM
DiminishedAngel
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 3:32:06 AM
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Sony is probably exploring new ways to provide digital content. The PSP is going to be UMD-free; it only makes sense that they would provide a Netflix-like service for videos or their digital content.
I think it's a great idea. If you don't like the monthly fee idea for unlimited PSP/PS3 digital game rentals, you can just continue playing online for free and buying your digital games piecemeal, same as always.
Skatejimmy5
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 4:59:12 AM
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Beamboom
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 6:24:30 AM
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crapreviews
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 7:24:47 AM
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whooka
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 8:28:56 AM
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GHill4Life
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 10:45:19 AM
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Mr Bitey
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 11:05:06 AM
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Sony & even Nintendo have the right idea. Give me free access to your store, and I'll have more money in my pocket, that I can spend there. If anything, I would imagine that with M$ being the odd man out, they would have to reevaluate there policy.
PS3addict
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 11:27:39 AM
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Personally, I have spent hundreds of dollars on DLC just for Rockband tracks. You also got GH3 and World Tour. Those franchises alone rake in mass amounts of cash every week for Sony and the game's developers.
If they allowed you to download all you wanted, they would lose a lot more than they would gain.
Rockband has over 500 tracks right now at a buck or more apiece (Typically $1.99). so that is around $1000 of content I can get right there (Already have almost all of it though). Then there are all of the tracks fom GH3 and world tour... Then finally there are all of the addons for a lot of games at $1 - $10 a pop...
No way. I could easily download $1500 worth of content in my first week, and then I could start on all the PS1 and downloadable games... I do not see the logic as they will never turn a profit if they allowed unlimited downloads. Also, they will lose a lot of subscribers if they picked and chose what you could download when. So, it would have to be either a restriction of amount of files downloaded, or overall size caps per month. Then what happens when a 1GB demo comes out? Does that max out my monthly download amount to play a free demo? LAME!!!
Like I said, rentals, Hell yeah, I am on it... DLC... That would cost Sony money, and most likely discourage the developers to produce it as often since this is a huge avenue of revenue for them as well...
I know where my money goes, and the look on peoples faces when I tell them to pick a song and 5 minutes later they are still scrolling through is awesome... It is expensive, but I love my rockband, and have a great time playing it with my friends. Now the Beatles game is coming out and it will have exclusive downloads as well. I might need a second job soon just to keep up...
Last edited by PS3addict on 5/21/2009 11:36:09 AM
Highlander
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 3:37:39 PM
Alienange
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 4:42:42 PM
Strker777
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 4:51:41 PM
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PS3= Vaskavyen (exclusives)
FFV13
Devil May Cry (the new one)
Dynasty Warrior 7
Grand Turismo 5
Heavy Rain
White Knight Chronicles
God of War 3
asianinvasian
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 5:57:53 PM
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Jian2069
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 7:04:51 PM
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For people who download a whole lot of stuff, this would work very well.
I, personally, haven`t bought anything since I got my ps3 for xmas `07 (80GB with BC :D ).
I believe they should have both. Remember guys, more options = better system.
Gabriel013
Friday, May 22, 2009 @ 1:27:39 AM
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BikerSaint
Friday, May 22, 2009 @ 1:32:53 AM
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<<<<Firefox>>>>
This might be a stupid question, but since I'm not tech savy, is Firefox something we can install ourselves on the PS3 somehow, or is it Sony only that would have to do any/all browser changes.
And if we can, is there any "show & tell" vids or instructions out in Net-land anywhere to do it right?
Banky A
Friday, May 22, 2009 @ 6:01:16 AM
BikerSaint
Friday, May 22, 2009 @ 4:16:52 PM
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I know we can install Firefox on a PC, although I've had too much of a yellow steak running down my back to attempt it. And BTW, I also saw somewhere in my system settings that the OS can be changed too.
But what I wanna know is can we install Firefox ourselves on the PS3,or is it that only Sony can do a changing of browsers???
I'm thinking probably not, but what the hell do I know about computers & tech crap ???
KevinCairo
Saturday, May 23, 2009 @ 5:38:46 PM
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WNDRTWN1
Sunday, May 24, 2009 @ 2:08:26 PM
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I personally would at least try it out if it is true instead of going thru a third party company like Gamefly to rent a PSP game. It would be truly gold if they have a system like Gamefly and give you discounts on a game purchase after you have rented it. I know some people will not like this ideal and some will, but like Ben said it will not effect the free online play for the PSN for the PS3 or PSP. You will be able to go online and play your PS3, PSP & PSN games online for free.

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HeXeN
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 9:54:13 PM
Last edited by HeXeN on 5/20/2009 9:55:58 PM