Hirai Confirms "Premium Level" For PSN Subscriptions

Last week, it became clear that Sony was intending to unveil some sort of premium subscription service for the PSN, although it had yet to be confirmed by any Sony executive.

Well, Sony boss Kaz Hirai has indeed confirmed their plans to introduce a premium online service of some kind, as reported by GameSpot. This new "premium level" will be added to the current PSP and PS3 Network service and no, this won't have any impact on Sony's continued "free to play" theory. If you wish to play games online, it still won't cost you a dime. However, with the huge amount of content scheduled for the PSN, including everything from movies to music albums to virtual books, it almost seemed inevitable that Sony would provide consumers with an upper-level subscription option. We've also learned that PSN revenue is definitely spiking; Sony expects to rake in $563 million from the ever-expanding service this fiscal year, which would be three times what the Network made them in fiscal 2008. Then you can toss Netflix and the continued Home improvements onto the pile, and you've got a definite cash cow possibility, here. It'll be interesting to see how many people purchase whatever this new premium subscription will be, though...

We'll be sure to bring you all the details of this special PSN package when it becomes available; we expect Sony to release this information some time around the end of the year.

11/22/2009 9:27:18 PM John Shepard

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Comments (53 posts)

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mike rlz
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:22:35 PM
Reply

10 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:22:38 PM
Reply

Anyone have the slightest idea what kind of content is going into this premium thing?

3 up, 1 down

frylock25
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:25:35 PM

i thought it was supposed to be a one time fee for so much content a month. at least that was the ideas i had heard.

0 up, 0 down

BTNwarrior
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:48:37 PM

cross game chat

2 up, 3 down

BTNwarrior
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 2:15:08 AM

I kid

2 up, 0 down

telly
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 9:40:15 AM

If I can still play my games for free, I'm not sure what how they incentivize me to pay anything for a "premium" PSN service. But who knows? Maybe some sweet exclusive games will be made available...

0 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 3:07:40 PM

Faster download time? Download things a few days earlier? reduced prices (like 30% off or something)? dunno but i'm game.

Last edited by kevinater321 on 11/23/2009 3:09:06 PM

1 up, 0 down

frylock25
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:23:47 PM
Reply

i kind of could see this coming. i really do not have a problem with them doing this. if they keep putting more and more stuff on the store i really have no problem with anything they do. i love how much content is in the store. im really glad they changed it from the old web based browser they had back in the day, that sucked.

3 up, 0 down

LittleBigMidget
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:25:36 PM
Reply

I heard it'll contain stuff like exclusive demos and betas. I'd pay for that.

2 up, 0 down

frylock25
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:45:00 PM

ok so why wouldnt you just get qore then? or get a 360 and gold membership cuz that is the same thing ms does to people. i dont agree with that idea. when you preorder a game and get a demo the money you spent goes toward the game. when you get a demo or beta from qore it is extra. you must have money to just blow then if you want to pay for unfinished products.

Last edited by frylock25 on 11/22/2009 10:46:16 PM

5 up, 4 down

Orvisman
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 9:11:45 AM

@Frylock,

It is not the same thing because you still won't have to pay to play.

2 up, 0 down

frylock25
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 10:22:16 AM

yeah but paying just to have demos and betas is just as much of a ripoff as paying to play online. you know i was just sayin if you want to be ripped off, there is a company that specalizes in that.

4 up, 1 down

Scarecrow
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:30:24 PM
Reply

Ah!
Now us "non-subscribers" will get screwed

Bravo!

7 up, 1 down

NoSmokingBandit
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:49:23 PM
Reply

Im ok with it as long as my free PSN account retains its current abilities and options. I dont want them to take something away then charge me to get it back. They should be taunting MS with the free PSN, not mimicking them.

12 up, 0 down

coverton341
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 11:24:38 AM

I completely agree with this right here. ^

I don't think that Sony would stoop to those depths and play that kind of game but, you never know do you? They are a large corporation and they are out to increase their bottom line like all other businesses.

I do understand that online play will remain free but what of my Netflix ability? What of my web browsing ability? With so much that the PS3 can already do what more do they expect to put into it that will entice people to pay for a premium account? If they do start removing functionality and then asking that we pay to get it back I will be a severely upset individual.

I'm not saying they would, I am just saying that I am not sure how I would react to something of that nature.

2 up, 0 down

BTNwarrior
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:50:30 PM
Reply

and suddenly I loose ground with all my arguments ever made trying to convince friends to get a ps3, Thanks Sony

3 up, 4 down

frylock25
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:14:28 PM

we dont really know the details of the premium level. we still do not have to pay to go online or access the store. untill you know what they are proposing i dont think you should assume this idea will be bad.

3 up, 0 down

Douchebaguette
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:42:15 PM

You're gonna feel like a right ass the moment you realise nothing you experience now with PSN will be comprimised - other than you wondering what the premium side has to offer.

0 up, 0 down

HeXeN
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:07:35 PM
Reply

I'm all for it just as long as it brings lots of new features and content under $50(so we can brag about PSN still been cheaper).

2 up, 0 down

godsman
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:14:12 PM
Reply

I still haven't tried the movies on PSN. How does it work? Do I own the movie for a week and it expires? or a one time watch?

0 up, 0 down

frylock25
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:32:46 PM

you download the movie. you can start watching it while downloading it or wait til its done. you have 14 days i believe it is from the day you rented it. you can then watch it as many times as you want in a 24 hour period from the minute you started the initial playback. then delete the content when you are done with it.

Last edited by frylock25 on 11/22/2009 11:33:38 PM

0 up, 0 down

Titch1794
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 10:00:25 AM

Or you could pay extra to own it forever :)

0 up, 0 down

Sir Shak
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:19:21 PM
Reply

All I want is free online play , don't care for anything else .

7 up, 1 down

SnipeySnake
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:20:11 PM
Reply

The best thing in the PSN for me is to be able to download ps1 games. I finally got the chance to finish up ff7 xD

2 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:21:44 PM
Reply

And seriously, when this was announce xbots everywhere trolled everywhere without thinking.

3 up, 1 down

Douchebaguette
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:47:44 PM

Meh. It's their loss of time anyway. On the plus side it's amusing to see how insecure they really are.

2 up, 0 down

___________
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:22:06 PM
Reply

they better not take away some of the features we have available to us for free.
if they make demos and betas exclusive to paying customers my ps3 is going onto ebay.
though i think it will probably be a monthly subscription and you can download whatever you want for free, like instead of paying for a PS1 classic you can just download it since you already paid the subscription fee.
or it could be dedicated servers that would be nice.
dec 10th im upgrading my internet FINALLY! to a much faster speed, though i wont find any difference since sonys servers are so bloody slow.
thats why downloading demos of XBLA was always faster than downloading the same thing on PSN.
if they were to add dedicated servers i would be happy to pay for that, if the price is right.
otherwise they can shove their subscription fee where the sun dont shine!

1 up, 4 down

therabbitkinge
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:28:04 PM
Reply

Well I get it but... I dunno I thought this service being free was a big draw for the PS3 that set us apart?

Well im sure Sony isn't artarded and will end up taking some of what we've already got and charge us for it

As long as what we get using the service stays on our PS3's and isn't taken away when we don't pay for the next month, whatever content that may be.

0 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 12:01:04 AM
Reply

In order to PSN to grow it need to provide more money .

I going to be happy with my current sub I just need to go online not fancy things ... but if Sony really makes something cool with that new psn fees perhaps I'm gonna end going premium.

0 up, 1 down

Naztycuts
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 12:02:05 AM
Reply

SOLD!! I can't wait to hear what they have to offer. I just hope they arent putting cross game chat in the "premium" section because that means less of my friends will have it.

2 up, 0 down

Drodin
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 12:27:59 AM
Reply

Qore is a slight disappointment for me, and if the subscription price for this premium content is around $50, I'd expect a lot more than double the content that Qore brings at $25 a year.

I will be very interested to see how this all works out. I want it to be something I want to buy, but if it isn't then as long as what I get for free now doesn't change too much then it's all good.

0 up, 0 down

Culoslap
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 12:46:43 AM
Reply

As long as I can still play online and have access to the content in the PSN Store, I could care less.

1 up, 0 down

frylock25
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 12:51:38 AM

do you mean you couldn't care less

Last edited by frylock25 on 11/23/2009 12:52:13 AM

3 up, 0 down

Banky A
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 12:57:56 AM
Reply

Free Online-Play = good

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 1:17:11 AM
Reply

ugh, i knew it would come but i hate the idea. we already pay for the items (games, movies, even premium themses) why pay a subscription on top of that. i probably wont purchase it not because i dont like the idea but i am just glad to play will always be free. Thanks Sony.

I think people will buy or purchase this though, i think qore has been a huge success so why wouldnt this if its a bigger better thing! i say thing cus i have no idea what it will include!

0 up, 1 down

DGo8
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 4:37:51 AM
Reply

Well im glad Online Play will be free..no1 should have to pay on top of there internet bill just to play online!..

But i think..when you pay for this Premium PSN your get like..Demos..Trailers before there on tha normal PSN...maybe...Premium PSN members will get BETA codes?..I hope

1 up, 0 down

www
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 5:00:01 AM
Reply

Well its about time they made something, they been losing too much money.

0 up, 0 down

tridon
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 5:40:32 AM
Reply

Does this mean that Canada may finally get the movies and comics that the US has but we'll have to pay for it? I'll have to see what this service offers. I picked up Qore year 1 and was pleasantly surprised by all the freebies I received. That was the reason for me to subscribe in the first place. So, being happy with year 1, I subscribed to year 2. This year has been a joke. Every month, all you receive is a theme. Not once since I re-subscribed have I received a free game, yet alone an exclusive demo. They just kissed their chances goodbye of me subscribing a third year.

0 up, 0 down

cowboy828
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 8:21:22 AM
Reply

I hope it is good but I will most likely sign up year 1

0 up, 0 down

Titch1794
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 10:02:13 AM
Reply

Just stickin with the free psn will make it feel like i don't have the full package/experience. I might just HAVE to subscribe. :s

1 up, 0 down

noshownogo
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 10:24:44 AM
Reply

It's highly debatable if the current free online will be affected by paid subscribers, until more is revealed there is little sense in even thinking of plusible repercussions based on this move by sony.

0 up, 1 down

noshownogo
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 10:24:58 AM
Reply

0 up, 1 down

daizycutter
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 10:51:42 AM
Reply

im wondering wot they could put up that would make me wanna hand over hard earned cash to subscribe ?? i play a demo on average once every 3 months its hardly worth forking out cash for a DEMO!!!.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 12:15:49 PM
Reply

Folks, please think before you conclude that this somehow means the end of free PSN.

PSN exists as a delivery mechanism, not a service. PSN will remain free, it is the content that is charged for.

Did anyone object to paying for a movie or game download purchased from the PS Store on PSN? Because that's a kind of premium content provided via the PSN that you pay for. That's What Sony is talking about.

Sony intends to bring additional content and new services to PSN that will be premium - as in paid for. Some of these may be subscription based. The subscription is to the content, the additional service not the network.

Netflix is a third party application and not a PSN service. There is no impact there.

Online gaming uses PSN merely to authenticate users and synchronize trophies. Online play is either peer-peer or uses game servers provided by the publisher. There is no impact here either.

Think of the PSN as a security gate and little else. That's not being charged for, and won't be. PSN is an environment with no barrier to entry, but opportunities to spend. Sony is simply expanding the opportunities to spend. You may also see PSN opening up to other devices such as net enabled BluRay players and TVs. Content subscription services make a lot of sense for net enabled TVs.

3 up, 0 down

JPBooch
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 1:14:41 PM

This makes total sense to me. ^

But, the question remains, what could they possible offer as a paid subscription to dub as a "Premium PSN" that they don't already?

0 up, 0 down

Imagi
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 3:09:35 AM

Films, Music, TV Shows, MMORPG and other on demand things I guess. As long as they do not turn any of the current (free) services into paid options I do not have any issue.

0 up, 0 down

sonic1899
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 1:39:05 PM
Reply

here's what i think will go on: this level will compose of content such as qore, dynamic/premium themes, premium avatars, and maybe some additional content will be available through one subscription. sounds simple enough, right?

0 up, 0 down

LowKey
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 2:05:41 PM
Reply

The whole idea of demos and betas is just reeealy dumb. If they were to charge so you can get access to them than I won't be subscribing.

0 up, 0 down

LittleBigMidget
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 4:20:01 PM
Reply

@Frylock, I don't have a problem paying for Demos or Betas. Plus Qore sucks. Everytime I bought an episode from them, I ended up getting the extra content really late. And I heard it'll contain music downloads and what not. As long as its under 30$ I'm up for it.

0 up, 0 down

LittleBigMidget
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 4:21:35 PM
Reply

And like Oxvial said, in order for PSN to grow it needs money.

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 6:44:00 PM

"Sony expects to rake in $563 million from the ever-expanding service this fiscal year, which would be three times what the Network made them in fiscal 2008."

Sounds like it already has the money to grow.

0 up, 0 down

NetheRealm
Thursday, November 26, 2009 @ 12:14:55 AM
Reply

Dollar for dollar Sony's getting greedy. They need to put more of that 563 million back into improving the network. If the network is "perfect" enough to charge for then we should have an up to date state of the art browser like Firefox not one that is barely functional. I should never get disconnected from unstable network connections or suffer any lag or audio distortion which are frequent occurences on LOTR & Demon's Souls so how about speeding up the crappy servers with the 563 million instead of dumping it into more TV commercials & more PoP Up Playstation Store Ads on my XMB interface. The more profit they make it seems the less money is well spent on improving the core services.

0 up, 0 down

PaiNT_kinG
Friday, November 27, 2009 @ 5:47:29 AM
Reply

*yawns

0 up, 0 down

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