PS3 News: First "Freemium" Title Arrives On Japanese PSN - PS3 News

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First "Freemium" Title Arrives On Japanese PSN

Okay, so we know about the new Plus subscription for the PlayStation Network, where paying a fee will entitle you to exclusive content and early access to hot demos.

That's essentially the Premium service for the PSN...but what about the opposite? What about..."Freemium?" Free-to-play is a concept many can get behind, especially PC users who like to mess around with Flash games when bored at work. So, as reported by Kotaku, the PSN will receive its very first "freemium" title from Acquire; the developer will deliver Bakumatsu Revolution into Japanese hands entirely free of charge this week. And although you might immediately think this download would be short and basically devoid of quality stuff, you should know the adventure clocks in at over 10 hours, and it even features a little character customization and 4-player co-op.

Acquire assistant producer Luke Rideout insisted that it "isn't gutted or unplayable in any way." However, it should be noted that we'll see DLC that will extend the experience, and you'll have to ante up for that: items costing between 100 and 200 yen (about $1.10 to $2.20), and quests priced at 300 to 500 yen ($3.30 to $4.40) will appear later. Said Rideout:

"Obviously we won't make a profit on the main game itself. We mostly just hope that we can get the game out to a large base of players, who can enjoy the full main game for free, no strings attached, from beginning to end. Those players who wish to add a little extra to the game, like more side quests or new items can support the game by paying for those."

Well, we know our demos are free (at least for the time being), but we've always paid for our full-game digital downloads on the PSN. This is definitely new territory and if it turns out well, we may see more of it. Of course, we have no idea if Acquire will ever release Bakumatsu Revolution in the US (and if they do, it'll likely have a translated name), but other "Freemium" titles may be headed our way soon.

Tags: playstation network, freemium, psn

6/22/2010 10:19:08 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (34 posts)

Bigtuna1
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 10:42:56 AM
Reply

Still no news about the new dlc dropping for MAG today. I must say for a playstation news site not to cover news about the exclusives is like a slap in the face. I guess it's back to IGN for my daily reads on anything news related to the PS3. Quite shameful guys, really. If I didn't already know about the dlc dropping I could have missed out on this. We the readers deserve to have a reliable source for gaming news, not a site that just does opinion articles with the occasional news story. Sad day for me cuz this was my favorite site for ps3 related articles for the last few years. It use to be a safe haven when ps3 was getting all the bad press. Now it's just another "BLOG"

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Mysterio Spyder
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 10:47:30 AM

Bye

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frostface
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 10:54:12 AM

Honestly didn't know about the DLC for MAG but I don't see why you should slate this site for it.
It's been a pretty busy couple of weeks and it's not as large a site as IGN, so I'm sure Ben/Arnold/John would have posted something about it, had they not been focused on every other tid bit of news, thats been more than adequately supplied for our viewing pleasure.
There's no slap in the face, noones insulting anyone because this news wasn't reported.
So chill dude, take it easy and go get your DLC for MAG and enjoy it.

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 11:04:52 AM

First of all, this is entirely off-topic. Secondly, NONE of the big sites, GameSpot and your precious IGN included, have anything about the MAG DLC. It's not even on the PlayStation Blog, nor is it anywhere to be found at N4G. Thirdly, it's not exactly huge news; DLC comes out every week for many big titles. Fourthly, we cover more PS3-related news than most anyone, and we do it with basically two people.

And lastly, because we work so hard to do it, we don't really appreciate such rants, so FEEL FREE TO LEAVE.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 6/22/2010 11:05:59 AM

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tlpn99
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 11:14:11 AM

With a staff of 3 yes 3 people I think Ben, Arnold and John do a brilliant job. This site is friendly easy to use and easy on the eye.

The forums I enjoy participating in too. Just because one game DLC has not been talked about does not make this site rubbish etc.

When E3 is on and after E3 has finished it is a busy time for Ben, Arnold and John.

I would like a review for Mod Nation but has it happened yet ? No. Am I moaning about the fact that it has not been done ? No. I am patiently waiting and appreciating what news is put on this site.

So chill out relax and find the news that's not on here somewhere else.

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godsman
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:09:43 PM

I can confirm that psxextreme has the largest compilation of playstation news. Even though it might not have the earliest releases sometimes, but they definitely has everything.

My favorite website to get my news.
Last edited by godsman on 6/22/2010 12:10:00 PM

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DeathOfChaos
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:30:17 PM

MAG isn't that great of a game anyway. Sure, it's gone over and beyond the amount of online players, but that is the only thing that game did. Ben and all the others of this site do a GREAT job! I've trusted PSXExtreme for at least a year and a half now for the latest, longer if I count when all I would go by was updates in my hotmail. so going on a random thing just to complain about a game that really isn't that great is pretty stupid. Hope to never see you again and I hope the door hits ya where the dog should have bit ya.

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kraygen
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:35:24 PM

Man the only time I ever remember a site talking about add-ons for games is if they are either full disc releases like with gtiv or if they are something incredibly rare and special.

Somehow I think this mag dlc is not rare or special and also if someone did report every new dlc, I'd never go to their site, it would be boring and they'd have no time for anything but dlc news.

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BikerSaint
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 1:00:23 PM

Sorry you feel the need just to come rant about DLC. IGN will probably enjoy your rant's more anyway.

But don't let the door hit you in your a$$ so you're even more butt-hurt on the way out.

C ya, wouldn't want to be ya!

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Alienange
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 2:25:29 PM

Can't believe Bigtuna1 forgot to write "First!"

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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 2:59:59 PM

If you've been here for years then you should know better.

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Underdog15
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 3:21:32 PM

I'm sorry, but Bigtuna1, but in the words of the wise bugs bunny, "What a ma-roon! What a nincumpoop!"

Do you have ANY idea how many DLC add-ons there are on the PSN????? I would be p.o.'d if this site commented on each and everyone. What a silly, judgemental, and uneducated comment. How incredibly rude, shortsighted, and ignorant you are.

You don't even contribute that often. You won't be missed. However, we here at PSXE, like to send people off with some helpful advice to remember us by. So here:

Why don't you try Destructoid? I think you'd fit in swimmingly! I bet you'd even rank almost among the averagely intelligent there! (At least, averagely intelligent in comparrison to other Destructoid members....)

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sticklife
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 3:45:27 PM

Well I hope you know that this means you no longer have the chance at winning the blue ps3.

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Deleted User
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 4:00:46 PM

@BIGTUNA Check out the site "psu.com" They covered the MAG patch. I get where you coming from.

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Deleted User
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 4:07:17 PM

@Underdog15 Your comment is the equivalent of saying, "Why does this site talk about so many PS3 games.. let's talk only of a few.." If a site, reckons to pledge fanboyism towards one specific product, you would have high expectations for information. Yea, PSXE doesn't cover a "substantial" amount of info.. but there are other sites that do. @BIGTUNA Go search for a site called 'Playstation Universe' in Google. They covered the MAG patch.

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Underdog15
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 4:52:49 PM

@Logamus_Prime

You're daft. There is nothing about my post that suggests I'm questioning the substantial amount of info this site covers. What sort of moron twists someones words to fit their own agenda. Read what I wrote, dude. NO ONE wants this site to have a long list of meaningless DLC add-ons at $1 a piece released in plenty weekly. Especially one as mundane as the MAG add-on, which even the BIG sites haven't covered.

Regular folks on this site, additionally, don't want folks bashing the hard work that goes into it. Yeah, staffing is on the small side, but they're personable and actively participate in discussion. How many admins do YOU know for sites that are on a first name basis with the fans on their site? Keep in mind, also, that the writing here is good. The editors are well educated and write well. Their research is always founded, and when called out, like they are today, they are more than able to stick up for themselves with far more backing than the one who bashed them first.

I, for one, don't take kindly to your unintelligent version of what I wrote. I'm not as veteran as some members here, but I do feel like I've earned my place as a decent writer. As an academic, I'm grossly insulted by your elementary summary of my comment.

And if you want a debate, you've got it. Any time. Anywhere. I will end you.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 6/22/2010 4:53:22 PM

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 8:41:18 PM

Logamus: Either stop recommending people to our competition and indirectly insulting us, or get out. I'll make it that simple.

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Deleted User [Administrator]
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 10:30:04 PM

@Ben BIGTUNA spoke his mind. He didn't discredit your site Ben. What's wrong with being unhappy? Why have user feedback if you can't let us speak freely?

@Underdog15 You poke fun & mock BIGTUNA yet you can't take criticism yourself? Hypocrite. And to quote you, "Do you have ANY idea how many DLC add-ons there are on the PSN????? I would be p.o.'d if this site commented on each and everyone." I don't know.. maybe this guy is entitled to that. Maybe he wants to know what DLC are out & about. Is that wrong? Isn't that the equivalent of knowing how many games will be in store shelves? To quote someone that isn't Bugs Bunny, "What a silly, judgemental, and uneducated comment. How incredibly rude, shortsighted, and ignorant you are."

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 @ 12:49:41 AM

If there is a complaint to be made, it shouldn't be made in an insulting manner, nor should it be made in an entirely irrelevant article.

I have no respect for that and neither should you.

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Bigtuna1
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 @ 3:28:37 PM

I will make one last comment although it is probably a waste of time being old news and all but you Ben, have totally just discredited yourself and shown me that you are just a LIAR. Ign and gamespot had previews of the new dlc up for more than two weeks now. So for you to say they had nothing confirms my feelings toward leaving this sight. And at no time did I start name calling in my last post but your dedicated followers obviously have such a low intelligence level that they couldn't help themselves. But as long as you feel good about misleading your readers and are able to sleep at night then I say good day to you sir.

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frostface
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 10:47:15 AM
Reply

Well the price is right, noone can complain if it's free. And should you purchase the extras, you must of enjoyed the full free game enough to justify paying feck all for the expansion.
Hope it comes to Europe too.

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godsman
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:12:22 PM

Is this game free for everyone? or just free for premium therefore "freemium"?

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mehrab2603
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 11:07:30 AM
Reply

i'll have to create a jap psn account

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DeathOfChaos
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:24:12 PM
Reply

They've already given out free mmo's on the Japanese store. There's that Senki one and then the one with the ships at sea, Uncharted Waters I think? I've played both of them, but not long since it's a hassle to get it working. I don't know much Japanese and I had to just guess at what they were asking, lol. But to my knowladge, this is the third "Freemium" game that I know of, because I've already messed wth three games that are completley free to play and it's the whole game, unless they're talking about a non MMO game.

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PANICinc
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:31:12 PM
Reply

Cool!

*slightly off topic*
Is the Premium Membership available in the US yet, and how do I sign up?

Or, when will it be available?

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:42:18 PM

It'll be available on June 29. And I'm willing to bet there will be multiple ways to sign up.

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PANICinc
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:57:00 PM

Thanks Ben!

I love you Man!!

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kraygen
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:37:11 PM
Reply

I'm always willing to try free stuff. Sounds like quite the game, especially considering it's free. 4 player co-op and character customization, a lot of $60 titles don't have that.

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The CEO
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:37:28 PM
Reply

Ugh free sounds cool but it also sounds like Mafia Wars or Farmville. At least this game will have an ending. Unlike Mafia Wars which never ends though I wish it would I am seriously bored after 1169 levls LOLz.

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jaybiv
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 12:41:03 PM
Reply

I can dig this experiment here for these types of games. Let people try it and if they like it, they are purchase add-ons to further the experience.

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BikerSaint
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 1:09:59 PM
Reply

This sounds cool.
And if it would be a game I could enjoy, I'd even be willing to get on board for some DLC to support the developers, and hopefully show more companies that free play games with micro-transactions, can work well on consoles too.

That is, provided the DLC is actually something that will really add to the game play itself, and not just a few silly outfits to wear.

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Alienange
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 2:30:20 PM
Reply

I'm torn. Free is my favorite price and Japanese cutesy wootsy action rpgs are an awesome pass-time but will I turn my PS3 on just for this? Or will my gaming time be spent with the games I payed for?

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Underdog15
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 3:37:37 PM

I wonder if they're capable of being played on the PSP.

Anyone know?
Last edited by Underdog15 on 6/22/2010 3:37:53 PM

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Clamedeus
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 7:28:50 PM

Underdog15, i don't see why not. The PSP is able to handle it hopefully it's PS3/PSP compatible.

I'd love to play it on the go.

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