There has already been evidence of Sony’s plan to start a subscription service for the PlayStation Network but another of the company’s executives, Peter Dille, has confirmed that it is still an idea that is being discussed and worked-out during an interview with IGN.
During the interview Dille explained that they were happy with the PSN and that its progression and growth in both functionality and user interface had been “amazing”. He did admit that they weren’t finished with the service yet and that they will never be finished with it, referring to continuous growth and improvements.
When Dille finally got around to answering the question regarding future charges for the PSN, he simply confirmed that it is still definately an option:
It’s been our philosophy not to charge for it from launch up until now, but Kaz recently went on the record as saying that’s something we’re looking at. I can confirm that as well. That’s something that we’re actively thinking about. What’s the best way to approach that if we were to do that? You know, no announcements at this point in time, but it’s something we’re thinking about.
Apparently more and more improvements are coming to the PlayStation Network, many are being kept secret for the time-being, with Dille stating that the UI will continue to be tweaked and that original content is another of Sony’s goals. PSN-exclusive reality show ‘The Tester’ begins soon and it’s content like this that Dille believes will differentiate it from other online services.
In terms of gaming on the PlayStation Network, Dille was extremely enthusiastic about exclusives such as Flower, the PixelJunk titles and Fat Princess and said PS3 owners are “going to see a lot more of that as well”.
cc_star | 03/02/2010 12:34
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i’m really interested in one or two of those bundles we features on TSA, I hope they happen
shields_t | 03/02/2010 13:15
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1610 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
Yeah, me too, though how they’re going to garner the most popular options form the data they collected i have no idea. I got sent the survey and filled it in, there must have been a good 10 pages of four options, all with differing prices and features which had to be selected as either “I’d pay monthly for this” or “I’d pay anually for this”.
Lets just hope TNS are better statisticians than they are footballers.
rht992 | 03/02/2010 12:37
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2833 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009
well at least there’s support for the smaller games out there but where’s the love SONY? haven’t we paid you enough?
hairfreax | 03/02/2010 12:39
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845 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
At first it was horror at having to pay even though i dont really do online games , but after reading a few of the options i would happily pay for the service and all its perks. Now if they could just draw up a short list and get on with it
cc_star | 03/02/2010 12:50
Team TSA: Writer
7737 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Well, you’ll never have to pay for online gaming… just extra services or benefits if you choose to do so
Bilbo_bobbins | 03/02/2010 12:53
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1382 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
thats good to know, because I wouldn’t pay for anything else.
mistermcee | 03/02/2010 13:29
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94 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2009
we’ve discussed this on other threads and its not strictly true. Although online gaming generally will remain free, if elements of the game are subscription only, you won’t be able to play or join with those sections.
flatspikes | 03/02/2010 13:59
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582 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
Hopefully IF is a big if when it comes to portions of game content being for subscribers only… I would never like to see that happen…
hazelam | 04/02/2010 11:00
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3850 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
so long as they keep it so that online play is free then i’m cool with them charging for other services.
part of what i paid for when i bought my ps3 was the promise of free online play.
jimmy-google | 03/02/2010 12:51
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1701 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
I completed the questionnaire they sent about a pay service and most of the suggestions in there were really good. They seemed to included somthing like full ps1 game access or discounts on the store etc… None of them seemed to be about paying to play online which is all I really car about but some of the subscriptions they were suggesting would really tempt me to pay.
Cerberus64 | 03/02/2010 12:52
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362 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
Goose + Golden Egg + Axe = Sony.
cc_star | 03/02/2010 13:01
Team TSA: Writer
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Golden Axe, cool… but with geese O.o
Bilbo_bobbins | 03/02/2010 12:52
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1382 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
i just want to play online for free whatever the other options are.
Deathbrin | 03/02/2010 12:59
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Can’t wait.
Sab7786 | 03/02/2010 13:02
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123 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
sounds interesting
cam the man | 03/02/2010 18:56
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2029 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
If the pricing is right.
I don’t agree to having to pay so you can play a part of a game online, as I’ve already paid for the game at a shop. Like the 360.
cc_star | 03/02/2010 19:07
Team TSA: Writer
7737 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
What? Where does it say you have to pay to play a portion of a game online?
Kaz and Sony have said that whatever is in existence now will always be free, so online gaming, PSN Messaging, PSN text & voice chat rooms, YouTube uploading and every single thing else that is currently free, will always be free.
citizeninsane45 | 03/02/2010 13:22
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889 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
Maybe a topic of discussion for Tuffcubs next Big Poll…
Apnomis | 03/02/2010 13:25
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704 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2009
As long as they charge for value-added services and keep the core PSN free – i.e. playing games online – then I don’t think anyone can complain about this. The huge bugbare with Xbox LIVE is that without it you simply can’t get the full benefit of the games you buy for the system – fair enough if the sub was for things like Twitter, Facebook, Netflix etc, but it’s the fact they hold you to rasom with your own games that I object to.
As long as PSN continue to offer free online gaming then I still think they have the high ground on Xbox LIVE and I still think it will stay as a unique selling point, despite what comments Xbox fanboys may say about it being the same as paying for LIVE. I’d happily pay a sub for additional services that expand the PSN, especially as many of the suggested perks seem to pay for themselves such as PSN discounts, free access to preview games and extended warranties etc…
flatspikes | 03/02/2010 13:58
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582 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
Will be great to have extra options, as long as they are options and not essentially locked portions of game features. The survey appeared to offer a selection of good value options…
Mick939 | 03/02/2010 14:19
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I hope there is additions to be made to be paid for, keep everything as is for free psn then we pay for extras.
Foxhound_Solid | 03/02/2010 15:50
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427 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
So long as the subscription is in ADDITION to the current free system then that i cool for me………………. Choice….is the key here
SIR-DARK-HAZE | 03/02/2010 15:58
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2324 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
Im not complaining untill we have to pay to play online, soo i gues i wont have to moan.
Rascal | 03/02/2010 16:03
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68 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
As I mentioned in the forum 2 weeks ago, I was in a Mori poll for this and have some screenshots. It presented about 20 different subscription models with a differing but common set of features including ‘cloud storage of user profiles’, extended warranty, cross game chat etc. But nobody seemed interested.