PlayStation Plus: The Best Premium Online Deal Yet

There's nothing I hate more than wasting money on something that doesn't deliver. It's why I'm extremely picky about games I buy at full price, and why I haven't yet bought a pair of 3D glasses for my new 3D TV; at $200 apiece, I'm not only convinced the price will fall, but I also have absolutely no real reason to own the item in question. At least, not yet. Therefore, for subscribing to PlayStation Plus, I had best receive what I consider to be my money's worth. Seriously.

And you know, regardless of whether you select the 3-month ($17.99) or the 12-month ($49.99) option, I've concluded that PSN users are getting a damn good deal. I've spent some time going over the benefits and sort of doing a cost vs. reward comparison, and for the life of me, I can't quite see how anybody who even spends a minimal amount of time on the Network can't consider it a good buy. The following is a list of new features thanks to Plus and firmware update 3.40 (which of course is free):

Rating games you've purchased on the PSN: Nice. This should really help users who are unsure of a particular downloadable game purchase...even if it sort of infringes on our importance as reviewers. ;)

Trophy freaks, catch the Trophy level of your Friends instantly: I'm not the biggest Trophy fan in the world, but just to be able to see the Trophy level of PSN Friends is bound to be an appreciated feature.

Free stuff, discounts, goodies: Geez, one might expect some worthless little PSN tidbit tossed your way when you sign up, but you really do get a significant amount of worthwhile, money-saving bonuses the instant you're a member. It doesn't end with the temporary bonus of LittleBigPlanet for new subscribers, but even whole games like Wipeout HD can be had for free. You really gonna complain?

By the way, basic PSN stuff is still FREE: You know, the Plus complainers seem to forget this. Plus is an option; if you want to peruse the Store and play games online, all of that is still free of charge. Xbox Live forces you to pay for many of the things you get for free with the PSN, and that's the plain and simple truth.

New incentives, month after month: So many programs that ask you to pay a fee have plenty of sign-up incentives, but everything sort of ends after that. Not with PlayStation Plus. Although some of the current bonuses could be considered "old" by current standards, the exclusive content and discounts will continue to counteract the cost of your subscription. In just adding up the discounts, I've determined that you really only need to buy a few downloadable games here and there during the course of your membership term for the savings to equal or surpass the cost.

This isn't about money; it's about the fans: Sony has long since catered to their fans with unfailing dedication (despite some high costs that often go along with new hardware). Look at the Plus incentives: they're for gamers. Sure, there's the Facebook integration and a few other interesting features for technophiles, but the free and exclusive DLC, early access to demos, discounts, and overall treatment - that definitely feels as if you're a proper member of a premium club - just screams fan appreciation. Furthermore, it's not just for people who play games online; I rarely do that, and I still love what Plus brings to the table.

A one-year Plus subscription comes to about $4/month. The only way this could possibly seem like a bad deal is if you never touch the PSN. I mean, four bucks a month?! That could easily be vindicated with extremely minor activity and in the long run, what you receive for that modest fee should vastly outstrip any financial hurt. In the end, Plus is a service for gamers that proves itself immediately and shows every indication of being a must for PlayStation brand owners and fans.

Tags: psn, playstation plus, fee

6/29/2010 8:37:23 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (96 posts)

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Zemus101
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 9:04:52 PM
Reply

Wait a tick, some of those features are for regular users too. The trophy level display and the Store rating system. I'm playing the wait and see game, right now all I see are discounts on things I may or may not purchase, and free games so far I already own or am not interested in. I would love to pay to get some goodies, but so far there's nothing for me. Also ...where's the free Field Runners we were supposed to get with Plus? Hmm

6 up, 0 down

dpakrr
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:57:22 PM

fair enough. but for someone new to the ps3, like me (i got it 6 months back), i think the psn+ is awesome. im not a big fan of platformers or racing games, but i got LBP and Wipeout HD free and since they got good reviews, it enables me to see what the fuss was all about :D

i also own a psp which has been collecting dust, and with the 2 free minis per month which i get, it again, gives me incentive to use my psp.

like ben said, its a deal for gamers. i love games, so by offering some games which i wouldn't have considered buying (LBP, wipeout), it encourages me to experience something new. and by offering minis, its reviving ur psp. i mean they r free, why not try them out :)

the ps1 classics are welcome. destruction derby? hell yeah :D and u never know, something like final fantasy VII might be around the corner. its a nostalgic trip back, if anything else.

ps store discounts, invitations to try out betas and demos, and free full game trials. thats just rounding off a great deal.

plus, i always like changing my themes around, so the free dynamic ones are welcome. i also got free expansion maps for killzone 2. so they just put up heaps of free goodies, for gamers like me to experience something new. im loving plus at the moment :D

i can see why im like the only plus member in my friends list of 50 though. coz not everyone plays so much games as me. they just want to have a quick session of their favourite game, but for someone like me, im loving it

plus dont forget the automatic downloading, where it turns on the ps3 at a specified time (by u) and downloads game demos, patches, system uodates etc. no more waiting :D so while u r sleeping, it downloads it and turns off the ps3. i woke up to find a demo of modnation :p while one may argue that this is a system functionality and should be free for all, i dont care, coz im a psn+ user lol, so dont drag me into the debate. but i'll say this, i think the free psn users are getting more than what they need, although the psn still needs to become more user friendly and seamless like the xbox live

oh yeh, and the minis i downloaded were age of zombies and field runners. so it was there. i think u should check again

Last edited by dpakrr on 6/29/2010 11:02:38 PM

10 up, 0 down

mustang750r
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:13:24 PM

I guess Ben mixed some of the new 3.40 features with the Plus features.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:19:30 AM

I meant to say they were the highlights for Plus and update 3.40. Fixed now.

2 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 9:56:24 PM
Reply

The rating system and trophy level identifier are for everyone.

PSN Plus, is still a good deal though.

5 up, 0 down

dlte
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:05:56 PM
Reply

I'll pass. I will never pay a monthly or yearly fee to do anything online. Thank god it's optional.

4 up, 2 down

Highlander
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:03:17 PM

Your loss, you're paying a subscription fee for Cable TV or Satellite, this is exactly the same kind of thing. You're subscribing to content just like any subscription channel on Cable. Why is it so difficult for people to see this?

7 up, 2 down

dachemists
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:08:36 PM

you pay to get internet service, this is just an extra option on top of the free PSN

i would hate to pay for AT&T and microsoft for basically the same thing

5 up, 0 down

godsman
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:11:33 PM

I'm at the edge of signing up or not. I just don't like the fact that the "free" games are not for you to keep unless you continue the subscription for life.

5 up, 0 down

gumbi
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 8:14:39 AM

@godsman. I hear ya, I felt exactly the same way. But from a business standpoint... it makes sense. This prevents us from cheaping out and getting a shorter subscription, downloading a bunch of games for free, and then cancelling the subscription.

5 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:37:42 AM

godsman-

Your obviously a greedy person! ;)

I think it's a great deal. If you use they service they not only support you, but you get plenty of benefits along the way. Very nice!

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:07:15 PM
Reply

Early beta invites sounds good, and discounts are also pretty good.

One shouldn't say "the games that are currently free to buy doesn't justify getting + ." It'll really take a year for one to really appreciate how good the service can be.

I'll see when I can get it, probably will.

1 up, 1 down

Bugzbunny109
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:15:14 PM
Reply

Hey isn't there supposed to be a free trial? I went on the PSN store and I didn't see a free trail option.

4 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:34:20 PM

If you buy the year you get a 3 month free trial, like...i dunno, instead of 12 you get 15 months or something. i think is what i read elsewhere, kinda silly actually.

4 up, 0 down

tes37
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:16:12 PM
Reply

I didn't see LBP in the playstation plus section. Is it coming later on in July?

0 up, 0 down

dpakrr
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:46:51 PM

i think u get LBP free, only if u live in europe, australia or new zealand.

2 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 1:46:39 PM

I'll be getting the new PSN+ when I've got some extra funds, but I really wanted to be able to check it out first, just to see if it's more of a fit to my SP mode lifestyle.

So I'm really not liking the fact that Sony said they were giving us a "FREE 3 MONTH TRIAL", and then went & only included it if you bought the full year.

I mean what's up with that?
Free trial should mean "FREE TRIAL" period, and not just an added perk to the full subscription(although I also understand that's another good incentive to go annual).

I just think "free trial" should mean what it's supposed to mean, and that is.....
"Try it before, so you'll buy it after"

And like the ole song goes(well, almost)...
"If loving that is wrong, then I don't ever want to be right"......

.....that's all I'm saying!

1 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:29:34 PM
Reply

LBP is free for EUROPE not NORTH AMERICAN. PSX misinformed. Oh well..

I am a + subscriber & its fantastic

7 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:00:32 AM

PSX covers the globe...there are different offers by region. It's hardly mis-information, since mis-information kinda sorta suggests deliberately wrong information and I know that PSXExtreme doesn't indulge in that.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 3:36:08 PM

To be fair this is an American site, as such not saying that LBP is for europe is a little misleading.

2 up, 0 down

Shadow_Ninja
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:35:01 PM
Reply

im buying this when i get the money for it, because you know....50 bucks....is still 50 bucks.

4 up, 1 down

StangMan80
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:41:43 PM
Reply

I am still not sure on plus yet I don't know maybe later down the road but most likely not getting it.

3 up, 1 down

StangMan80
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 1:12:16 AM

I still might get it. Its a good deal, But I just don't see me putting the money in to it that's all.

1 up, 0 down

Superman915
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 10:51:55 PM
Reply

im waiting for august. I saw the stuff august is getting. its actually stuff i dont have. I have LPB + wipeout.

0 up, 0 down

dpakrr
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:16:30 PM

can u please give me the link where they tell u what u get every month?

thanks

7 up, 0 down

NeoHumpty
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:04:42 PM
Reply

I can see this backfiring on Sony a bit, though. I don't have the money for it this month, but once I get a year's subscription, I'll probably stop buying games for the most part because I'll be paranoid that they'll offer it for free next month.

2 up, 4 down

SmokeyPSD
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 5:24:19 AM

I'm not going to change my purchasing habits all that much really as I want to actually own my content proper. I am still going to sign up i think though

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:07:58 PM
Reply

Well, I updated yesterday, and subscribed. 15 months for the price of 12. Free content so far included 1 PS1 game, 1Mini, half a dozen add-ns for games I already have (Mahjong, Magic Orbs and Cuboid). Those free add-ons accounted for nearly$20 in free stuff, and then of course there were a couple of free premium avatars and a heavily discounted price on Gauntlet II, which I promptly purchased.

All in all, a very good service. Oh, BTW if you buy a game outside of Plus and they receive a free or discounted add-on through Plus, you keep that add-on regardless of your subscription status. If you buy a game through Plus and get some add-ons, then just like the game itself, access will depend on continued subscription. So, plan your purchases strategically and you can get a bunch of free stuff.

All in all I heartily recommend it. Not to mention that whole automated download thing (though I am not certain if that is Plus users only.

3 up, 1 down

godsman
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:13:19 PM

You had a good deal cause you own those games like Cuboid. I felt like I got ripped off cause I own LBP already.

2 up, 1 down

FatherSun
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:38:08 PM

Same here. Downloaded about $20-$25 bucks worth of stuff so far and waiting on Qore adding even more value. Which by the way is overlapped by a month. So far SONY has not addressed this issue. Another thing I noticed is that the auto download feature can only be used by 1 PS3 which by the way is a PLUS feature according to the logo by the setting.

Highlander I visited the Qriosity site like you mentioned on another post and saw 4 PS3 systems activated on my account. When attempting to deactivate 2 I got a message stating that it can only be done thru the console. Yet 1 console died and another I gave as a gift and purchased a SLIM. I emailed SONY regarding this. Will update upon their response.

Last edited by FatherSun on 6/29/2010 11:42:45 PM

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:03:59 AM

Fathasun,

I would be *VERY* interested in any progress you make with Sony on that. Please contact me through the forum if you can, or ping me in a comment. If you contact me on the forum I can give you an email address through PM.

1 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:16:35 AM

@HighLander, Will do. Hope I get a positive response. I sent a rather detailed email because each time I replaced the consoles I spoke to SONY customer service and escalated to supervisors and managers and was ultimately told that the systems were deactivated.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:19:19 AM

My original 60gb is still activated on my PSN account and Sony wouldn't remove it. Even though i explained to them it died and it was impossible for me to deactivate it. They never did give me a straight answer as to why they can't simply remove it for me.

When i asked hypothetically if i have more machines die and can't deactivate them, will they then remove them for me on their end? He said if that happens call back and "they will see what they can do"

0 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:41:20 AM

@Jawknee. That is exactly why I escalated my calls. I even state to the regular reps that its nothing personal but when they have exhausted their efforts I need speak to someone else. It know deactivations CAN BE DONE. I do understand SONYs position on this but they must also understand the consumers position as well. If I am a loyal customer I expect for my request to be considered to the utmost. Document everything. It really works.

Last edited by FatherSun on 6/30/2010 12:43:09 AM

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:54:07 AM

What is their reasoning for this? The goober i spoke with couldn't give me a reason. He just kept telling me to call back.

I just checked out Qriosity. It's nice that our PSN account logins work. Like you i tried to deactivate the system and it wouldn't work.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 1:24:56 AM

I got around to checking it for myself. I guess I have done a decent job in the past as my only active systems are my only active systems.

Certainly nice to be able to check what systems are activated, so I know to deactivate if I have a problem.

0 up, 0 down

robinhood2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 6:10:14 AM

A friend and I share PSN accounts, so we can save money. However, one of these was activated across 5 PS3s. When his bricked, he got a new slim. All he did was ring sony, and they deactivated it for him straight away. But then again, maybe Sony UK are easier going.

0 up, 0 down

sticklife
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:10:41 PM
Reply

Yeah, I'm not sure how people can think this is a bad deal if they play a lot of games. It's like they say this is bad but they think live is better. Also, thanks for improving the mobile site, I love it.

2 up, 0 down

JasperLoons
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:12:59 PM
Reply

I've decided it's worth it just for finally getting me to play WipeOut HD. I thought about buying the game several times but never did. Got it for free with PS+, and I LOVE it.

2 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:16:56 PM

Wipeout Fury (the update for the original HD game) is utterly awesome as well. Enjoy!

3 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:31:59 PM
Reply

The one and only thing i don't like about plus is that all the things you got from it goes away if your subscription ends.

5 up, 3 down

FatherSun
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:44:36 PM

They dont go away. They just sit in digital limbo awaiting your return.

1 up, 1 down

SnipeySnake
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:49:37 PM

@FATHASUN
Seriously? You mean you can download it again once you've subscribed again? Oh, lol never knew that. Thanks!

Last edited by SnipeySnake on 6/29/2010 11:49:47 PM

1 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:53:16 PM

@SnipeySnake. Your welcome. If you think of It, Its a smart move by Sony. If you let your subscription lapse you may begin to miss all your purchases and re-up.

Last edited by FatherSun on 6/29/2010 11:54:32 PM

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:05:57 AM

@Fatahsun,

We're of a like mind here. I think this is really smart by Sony. The subscription fee is actually quite modest, and yet the incentive to re-subscribe is high once you get used to all your stuff you have through Plus.

1 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:48:09 PM
Reply

BTW, anyone know if you can use all the plus content you purchased from one account onto another in the same ps3?(example: User1 gets Wipeout HD through Plus, can User2 play it on there account?)

1 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:50:51 PM

Yes. They can also be used on another ps3 that has the master account available to download. But I havent tried all the content as of yet.

0 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:52:51 PM

@FATHASUN
Thank you again xD

0 up, 0 down

natho86
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:52:35 PM
Reply

How big is the LBP download?

2 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:53:14 PM

Thats what im wondering too.

1 up, 0 down

laxpro2001
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 11:54:49 PM
Reply

Signing up as soon as I get home! You get 3 extra months free with a year subscription which is totally awesome. Also I can take my 2 copies of LBP and trade them in to get some of the costs back.

Excellent deal!

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 1:25:20 AM

You won't regret it, it's a great deal.

0 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:34:45 AM
Reply

So does this mean u get free games (if so, do u get to pick which games) and other premium stuff as long as ur a subscriber? Anybody correct me if I'm wrong.

Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 6/30/2010 12:36:45 AM

1 up, 0 down

kraygen
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 1:20:40 AM

you get free games every month, but its whatever they give you. Like this month you get rally cross and wipeout hd. Some other free stuff too, just don't remember everything, you can go to the plus section on psn and it shows everything.

2 up, 0 down

Victor321
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 1:20:33 AM
Reply

Ben, I don't know if I'm right or not, but everyone who is a current PSN user gets a bonus month as a trial yes? I didn't see it mentioned in your article, so I'm unsure :S

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 1:25:50 AM
Reply

So here's a question. 1 free ps1 game every month, every year. What happens when you have all the ps1 games? It's not like they add them all the time.

I think it really is a good deal for plus because just this month alone there was like $50 worth of free stuff. The only down side is if most of it I don't care if I own or not, a few months from now might be different, but there's no way to tell.

1 up, 1 down

The X Factor 9
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 1:26:06 AM
Reply

I already have Wipeout HD so this first month kind of sucks. But I'm willing to sign up for PS + in a show of support to Sony. I love filling up my hard drive with all sorts of content.

1 up, 1 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:02:23 AM

You won't regret it, the free stuff (not including Wipeout or whatever) will be worth the price of subscription long before your subscription is even halfway through.

1 up, 0 down

frylock25
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 1:36:57 AM
Reply

on us playstation blog:

"You can purchase a three-month package or a one-year package on the PlayStation Store now. The three-month package is available for $17.99 and the one-year package is available for $49.99. We will also be offering three additional bonus months for free if you purchase the one-year package — that’s 15 months total for $49.99."

there is no little big planet for the us subscribers. you get 3 months free. euro subscribers get free little big planet. i tried to tell everyone last week.

the following is only found on the EURO PS BLOG:

"If you sign up between the 29th June and 3rd Aug for the 1 year subscription then you will also receive a downloadable copy of the original LittleBigPlanet game for PS3, completely free! This is yours to keep and is not tied to the period of subscription"

so again NO LITTLE BIG PLANET FOR US. we get 3 months free. not both. 3 months free only with a year purchase. they made it sound like you could try it free for 3 months.

anyway im gonna get it when i got some cash. i try the first year.

Last edited by frylock25 on 6/30/2010 1:42:08 AM

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:03:48 AM

It's worth it.

BTW the way you read it, do you get the extra 3 months free if you sub for 3 months (that would mean 6 months for the price of 3)?

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 2:26:04 AM
Reply

I signed up for it around noon today and thus far I'm happy with it. I downloaded MK2 for a little over 2 dollars and received several free games. You can't beat that. I'll clearly be getting far more than $50 worth of media and thus I see it as a no-brainer.

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 5:13:15 PM

thought u died

0 up, 0 down

natho86
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 2:56:08 AM
Reply

How do the downloads work? can it be done in the back round and does it just do it automatically?

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:06:54 AM

You pick an overnight timeslot (I picked 4am-6am)and your PS3 comes on automatically and checks for available updates. If it find any it downloads them. If it's a system update it only downloads it, it will not automatically install a system update. But it will automatically download and install game updates.

0 up, 0 down

Godslim
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 4:14:30 AM
Reply

its only worth it if u want the games that are free or discounted tho

3 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:08:42 AM

Indeed, but over the course of 12 months, are you 100% sure that the combination of discounts and freebies will not tickle your fancy at all? In this first month I have got about $20 of stuff that I will use - free, as well as saved money on the purchase of Gauntlet II and got 3 months extra free of charge (which amounts to a 20% discount on a 15 months subscription). You can't beat that with a stick.

3 up, 0 down

Godslim
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 3:38:01 PM

true yeh......im considering it but im waiting a while just to see what other stuff comes along

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 4:19:45 AM
Reply

i subscribed last night, and while it is certainly worth more than the 80AUD asking price the choice of games is really bad.
i mean the 2 minis i got i have never heard of i could not even find a review for them on IGN.
the 2 ps1 classics same thing!
i mean why could they not give us something well known, like resi 1 and 2?
or oddworld and pandemonium?
you know something people actually play!
still i got my copy of LBP now, hopefully i can grit my teeth and finish it this time.

3 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:09:28 AM

See how it develops. I love that they added a 5 star rating system for PSN content now. That'll make avoiding turds much easier.

1 up, 0 down

___________
Thursday, July 01, 2010 @ 8:16:34 AM

sort of.
they have the same thing on the apps store and honestly some of the worst games on there have the highest ratings!
hopefully the PSN community has better taste, and judgment of whats good and whats crap, than the Iphone community.
one of my favorite Iphone games, stunt cars scored 9s on IGN, gamespot and such, but on the apps store it scored a 2!

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Thursday, July 01, 2010 @ 9:08:45 AM

True, but I use these 5 star systems a little differently. If I see a game or item with a 4.2 after 500 ratings compared to a game that has a 5 star rating but only 3 votes, then unless that 5 star item happens to be precisely what I want I will consider that the one with a 4.2 after 500 ratings is probably the better product.

I've seen this on places like Amazon or Newegg where two equivalent products that have been available for about the same time are rater similarly, but one has 300+ votes ad the other has fewer than 20. Guess which one I pick. You know what I mean> The number of votes matters too, not just the score itself.

I know what you mean too, there are some really turd-like products that get inexplicably high ratings online. But that's why I look for a lot of votes, astro-turfers and fanboys can easily bias a few dozen votes, but hundreds of votes tend to include a decent number of 'real' voters.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 9:38:31 AM

yea i know.
allot of the time though the iphone apps get good reviews and lots of them.
crash bandicoot nitro kart 2 for example has several hundred, is sitting at 4/5 but it is the buggiest game i have ever played!
i cant play that thing at all its so laggy, it plays like crysis running on a Pentium 2 computer!

0 up, 0 down

RebelJD
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 4:28:14 AM
Reply

I turned on my PSP and PS3 yesterday to find out I had an update to install. I always enjoy updates. Playstation Plus is awesome, it's new and it's a service that no other system provides it's consumers. I'll be purchasing it soon and quite frankly, if this new update had made the purchase of Plus mandatory for people to play online, we'd all be purchasing it. Let's get real people. Have fun and enjoy.

2 up, 0 down

robinhood2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 6:10:50 AM
Reply

I will be getting P+ today. Just need to get a network card using my staff discount =)

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:12:02 AM

Not really. Plus is a very cheap way for consumers to gain access to PSN content. Of course not all the content will be something everyone would choose. So it works for both parties. Consumer get lots of stuff for lots less money up front, and Sony gets paid for a lot of content that relatively few people will actually elect to purchase.

If anything Plus will help pay Sony for the continued breadth of PSN content improving the variety of content for everyone.

2 up, 0 down

JackC8
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 7:14:59 AM
Reply

I'm just not too interested. I've never bought a PSN game, they just don't interest me. And although I purchased two PSOne classics, I think I played them for an hour total. There are a couple of PSN games coming out some time in the future that look interesting, but I'd be better of just buying them when they're available; and who knows if those would even be the free ones offered that month anyway.

I see you can download Infamous for $30 (not part of PSN+), so maybe I'll do that one of these days. EDIT: Oh, I see Amazon has it for $27.79, so heck with that LOL. I had to laugh when I saw the free avatars - Fat princess, in two different colors!

I'm sure it's a great deal for people who like the PSN games, minis and PSOne classics, but I'm mostly into the full, disk based games. Sorry Sony, but your free service gives me everything I want.

Last edited by JackC8 on 6/30/2010 7:31:00 AM

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:05:19 AM

You're evaluating the entire service over 12 months on the basis of one month's content? I think you might want to keep an eye on it over the next few months.

1 up, 0 down

Gabriel013
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 7:29:23 AM
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My rough estimate is that I spent £20 on the PSN in the past 12 months and I don't imagine I'll ever spend more than that so considering the new features, the only thing I will miss is the subscription only exclusive dlc.

I take it, as with the full games, the dlc only functions while subscribed?

0 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 7:53:28 AM
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im gonna get plus for twoo reasons,
it is a good deal
and Sony do always care for their fans. Everything in which i've had to deal with them has been great.

0 up, 0 down

redman479
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 7:58:14 AM
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Got it as soon as I got the update!!! I'm lovin it!

1 up, 0 down

gumbi
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 8:18:00 AM
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I still won't be subscribing. I'm not knocking it, and it's not that I don't see the value in it... I just don't see the value in it for me. Very grateful that the core PSN features are still, and always will be free.

Last edited by gumbi on 6/30/2010 8:18:45 AM

2 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:13:08 AM

As I said in another post, you might want to keep an eye on the content that is available. It only takes a couple of decent PSN titles and PS1 titles to make back the majority of your subscription.

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:15:52 AM
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On thing that crosses my mind is that since PlayStation Plus is indicated within the PSN e-commerce interface, will PlayStation Plus subscribers gain access to discounts or other things in PlayStation Home? It's a possibility, one more way to reward consumer loyalty.

The nice thing about Plus is that many subscribers will get content that they might otherwise have not purchased. I can see a lot of people getting something because it's free or because it's discounted and finding that much to their surprise they quite like it.

3 up, 0 down

Gabriel013
Thursday, July 01, 2010 @ 12:40:05 AM

The way I see it Highlander is that the best way to get value from it is to get everying they offer free.

As I don't buy many games, the free game add-ons (map packs etc I assume?) wouldn't have much value because 9 times out of 10 I wouldn't own the full title anyway.

I really can see the value if you have the time and the inclunation to drain everything offered free of charge but for me, If I wasn't interested in buying it singly, then I'm also not interested in getting it off the back of a £40 per year charge.

I'm glad there are gamers who are enjoying the service.

0 up, 0 down

FreQaZoiD
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:48:51 AM
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I signed up at midnight ET (I'm on PT Time). Even though I already own Wipeout HD, it is still worth it so far... I foresee it only getting better. New stuff added EVERY MONTH!

My favorite features are the "free" content, game discounts, exclusive demos, and automatic updating of firmware and game patches. Yeah that's basically everything!

0 up, 0 down

DeejayDeez
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 9:50:41 AM
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I curious...what all is actually going to be free? I'm sure they aren't going to give you say a new map pack for whatever game that retails at $14.99 for free. They will probably just offer the crap that nobody pays for anyways for free and then just discount everything else. In my opinion for $49.99 a year, we should get ALL downloadable content for games, avatars and themes for free...not at a discount. And all full games that are $40 should be discounted to $10 or less. Oh and why isn't Hulu gonna be free with paid subscription to PSN+? Seems like your would be double paying for some features.

0 up, 2 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 10:06:48 AM

Well, this month's stuff was pretty good - for my. My family already had purchased Cuboid, Mahjong and Magic Orbz previously, but all the add-ons for those games remained unpurchased. I downloaded all of those, which amounted to nearly $20 and then there was the mini and PS1 game and the discounts. I also purchased Gauntlet II. I'd kinda wanted that game since forever, but could never stomach the cost. With the nice heavy Plus discount, it was a no-brainer.

I have another 14 months of this kind of thing to come.

Nice.

3 up, 0 down

Mamills
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 10:02:38 AM
Reply

wait n see situation for me, they offering nothing i will benefit from right now anyway.

LBP will be useless once part 2 is released in a few months and those ps1 classics look like crap on HD and the minis i couldn't care less about. (i have ipod)

I'm sure it will live up to its value but right now it has nothing for me. ill just wait until they have something i do want.

we'll see if they do a special promotion for christmas

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 10:07:50 AM

Minis and PS1 classics play nicely on the PSP and don't look like crap there...But if you don't have a PSP I can see where you are coming from.

0 up, 0 down

Mamills
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 10:28:18 AM

yea i no longer have a PSP. and yea i guess this plan is for ppl that have both, i can see it working out.

(bought a GO a while back and sold it within 2 weeks to get my money back, not enough support for the go.)

but all im saying is, if im gonna pay a subscription, ill do it when its for something i actually want.

read this article, (3rd paragraph) i feel the same way:
http://www.destructoid.com/rumor-hulu-on-ps3-requires-playstation-plus-177845.phtml

0 up, 4 down

CharlesD
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:25:25 PM
Reply

I thought these link postings got ok'd by administrators...

because honestly I'm completely astounded that a link to destroctoid got posted here, and I am clueless as to why anybody would reference them in the first place.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 12:45:15 PM

Based on previous experience here, if the link is not offensive or otherwise 'bad' it's probably going to be approved as long as it is in some way related to the topic and/or post.

That said, I do agree about the worth of anything posted on Destructoid. That said, the rumor regarding Hulu Plus requiring PlayStation Plus has gained a lot of traction.

On the flipside, HuluPlus will be available on numerous devices that do not feature PlayStation Plus (or anything like it) such as some net connected BluRay players. If a BluRay player can access Hulu Plus for just the cost from Hulu, I'd love to hear why the PS3 can't. Seems to me that like the NetFlix service, this is something that exists outside of PSN, so it's unlikely to require PlayStation Plus.

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 3:10:54 PM

I'll usually approve most any link that's directly related to the topic.

...even if it does have to come from that hellhole.

2 up, 0 down

DazeOfWar
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 @ 5:16:08 PM
Reply

I signed up because it has nothing but potential. The only thing is that I only see 1 mini instead of 2 and the PSone game is Rally Cross not Destruction Derby.

1 up, 1 down

dpakrr
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 7:26:12 PM

i think its more to do with your region. i live in new zealand and got destruction derby as the psone game and two minis (age of zombies and fieldrunners). its the same for europe and australia. i think u should google, what your region is getting.

if you scroll down, u can see what european members are will be getting in the first two months
http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2010/06/23/playstation-plus-explained/

Last edited by dpakrr on 7/2/2010 7:27:52 PM

0 up, 0 down

valerick
Thursday, July 01, 2010 @ 3:41:13 PM
Reply

Am I in the twilight zone here? The author just stated in his opening paragraph that he purchased a 3D TV but has no short-term intention of actually using it for 3D. An act, in my mind, equivalent to taking a thousand dollar bill and lighting it on fire. Because, of course, the televisions will decline appreciably in price just as (if not before) the glasses do. And this is supposed to be evidence of his discerning value-based purchasing decisions?

If this guy thinks PSN Plus is a good value, I honestly cannot think of more damning evidence against the service.

Crazy.

0 up, 3 down

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