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Axemusica's avatar

What do you think about having service charges for Playstation Network?

Asked by Axemusica (9500points) December 29th, 2009

~Sony Computer Entertainment executive vice president and chief technology officer Masayuki Chatani again brought up the pay-to-play topic: “In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges,” ~ Game Informer Magazine

I understand that it requires money to maintain servers for this feature, but this is a main factor as to the reason why some people bought a PS3.

I can see how in some aspects this could be a good thing. For instance, take the game MAG into consideration. This game is totally based on a mass multiplayer online (MMO) system. It’s going to cost money to keep that game it’s self going, otherwise people will stop playing it if the service provided isn’t maintained.

On the other hand, if they do make it so you have to pay to even play any game multiplayer like XBL I think it’s a horrible idea. Although, Sony will probably make a big profit from doing so, I don’t see many people staying on PSN because XBL has so much better features and that’s why people accept paying for it. EG, the party system, which allows you to have conversations with anyone on your friend list at any given moment, while in two or three or how ever many are in the party different games at one time. Genius!

If PSN can come anywhere close to XBL’s standards than I guess it wouldn’t be any different that XBL except for exclusives. I’ve also been reading other links about how it could just be a different way of buying things. Like, instead of purchasing additional DLC, just paying a low monthly (or every 3 months I’ve read too) for full access, which doesn’t sound too bad.

Although, I’ve also read that the way it is now will stay free and the premium features will be the only thing that will cost a service charge.

Do you have any inside information?
What’s your opinion on this topic?

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17 Answers

Tink's avatar

If they do will they also apply it to the Nintendo Wii?
I hope not!

mrentropy's avatar

If you’re going to charge for it, start it from the beginning. Don’t wait a couple of years down the line. When it was started up they knew it would cost money to keep it all going.

Other than that, I don’t use any online features of my PS3.

ItalianPrincess1217's avatar

I agree with @mrentropy. I hate when companies get you hooked on something and then start charging fees. A lot of them do this. That doesn’t make it right…

mrentropy's avatar

@ItalianPrincess1217 If it’s good enough for drug dealers it’s good enough for multi-national conglomerates.

Axemusica's avatar

@Tink1113 does the Wii even have multiplayer games that use the internet? I don’t know I don’t have one, lol.

@mrentropy I agree, but if you’re not using online features are you collecting trophies?

@ItalianPrincess1217 haha much like @mrentropy stated good form from a drug dealers perspective.

mrentropy's avatar

@Axemusica Yeah, if the game supports trophies I still get them. I just don’t have anyone in my friends list to bask in my glory. I noticed, though, that they added a feature where your Facebook account can be updated by Sony with new trophies that you get.

Axemusica's avatar

@mrentropy really?? that’s cool, I think I’m gonna look into that. Add me if ya want, tiz the same handle, then we can bask in eachothers glories. hmmm, that doesn’t sound right, lol.

mrentropy's avatar

If I can remember too when I get home I will. I’m in the middle of a life crisis at the moment and some things slip out of my ears easily.

Er, no comment on the glory basking.

FishGutsDale's avatar

I would be happy to pay a one off fee, but the reason i bought a PS3 is because of the free PSN. Opposed to the monthly plans of the Xbox360. I’ll be P.O’d if they make it monthly payments…SOB’s

way too many acronyms in that rant

Russell_D_SpacePoet's avatar

I think sony will lose some business. I will not be happy if the start to charge. That was one of the reasons I got a ps3. Because there was no monthly fee. Greedy company. About like all of them.

Mat74UK's avatar

I’d be extremely pissed off!
90% of my gaming is now online!

sandystrachan's avatar

LIES LIES LIES this is not the first time someone has came up with this , ok Sony will charge for certain things . Like clubs in home but not to play games , and for those who say oh noes cross game chat is to be paid for . Well have you ever used it NO , would you use it if it was free chances are NO .
—I would ask for a proper source , as everything i find is based on a chain mail . That and ever since PSN was made , people have always hated on it and said its getting made into a fee—

sandystrachan's avatar

Oh as for the free hour trial of a game , em its called a FREE demo from the store .
It was an Online Research survey that was released , um as far as i know and according to sony guys in the EU forum . This is to be put polite wrong on soooo many accounts , sony doesn’t comment on speculation and chain mails . Would you pay to help a developer test a game ?
Nah , thats why i beta test and oh its FREEEEEEEEEEEE .

Axemusica's avatar

@sandystrachan did you happen to click the link I provided directly after the quote? It’s directly from Game Informer’s web site. In which I refused to believe it when I heard it too, but gameinformer is highly recognized in my book.

I for one in fact have both a PS3 and an Xbox 360 and before I bought my PS3 I did use the party chat, often. I’ve been talking to my friend that convinced me to buy a PS3 and we are constantly playing two different games and talking to each other on the phone.

As far as the sony guys go, according to all the reports Masayuki Chatani (head hancho at sony) was the one who said this. Although, you are entitled to your opinion.

Berserker's avatar

Fucking Sony. Doesn’t surprise me.

Still, I highly doubt Sony fans will switch over to the Xbox.

mrentropy's avatar

I’m non-partisan. I’ll take every console as long as there’s something decent on it.

Berserker's avatar

I just want RPG’s.

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