"Look, free... ish.. oh, nice hat"
Earlier today, a Sony business briefing was blasted all over the Internet. It's here. Page 39 contained the phrase: "New revenue stream from subscription" in regard to PlayStation Network.
In standard hit-capturing style This was taken to mean "Sony to charge for PlayStation Network!!"
The fact of the matter is different, as Sony has now clarified via a SCEE statement, "We're continually looking at offering new forms of premium content & services, that will further enhance consumers experiences & expectations of the PSN.
"However, the core offering will continue to remain free."
This supports Kaz Hirai's earlier statement that, "SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network.
"Especially in the online area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services."
In standard hit-capturing style This was taken to mean "Sony to charge for PlayStation Network!!"
The fact of the matter is different, as Sony has now clarified via a SCEE statement, "We're continually looking at offering new forms of premium content & services, that will further enhance consumers experiences & expectations of the PSN.
"However, the core offering will continue to remain free."
This supports Kaz Hirai's earlier statement that, "SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network.
"Especially in the online area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services."
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
realvictory 20 Nov 2009 13:35
1/4
I'd be happy to pay for certain things, e.g. subscription game/film rental. Considering XBox Live has always been paid-for, I think PSN is excellent value. I just hope they don't start charging for playing games online - since this is the core feature as far as I'm concerned, and the ability to do this for free is the most important aspect of PSN.
DoctorDee 21 Nov 2009 07:34
2/4
Anyone tried the movies yet? I'm sure all the information is there for anyone not too lazy to read it, but if you "hire" a movie, how long a window do you have to watch it?
After a hard day at work, and cycling both ways I occasionally (always) fall asleep during watching a movie, and have to finish later. But other commitments mean I cannot always do this the very next day. With LoveFilm, I have no deadlines. What about with the PSN Movie Store?
After a hard day at work, and cycling both ways I occasionally (always) fall asleep during watching a movie, and have to finish later. But other commitments mean I cannot always do this the very next day. With LoveFilm, I have no deadlines. What about with the PSN Movie Store?
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DrkStr 23 Nov 2009 08:48
3/4
DoctorDee wrote:
Anyone tried the movies yet? I'm sure all the information is there for anyone not too lazy to read it, but if you "hire" a movie, how long a window do you have to watch it?
Start watching within two weeks of downloading, it's deleted after 48 hours of starting to watch.
config 23 Nov 2009 12:48
4/4
DrkStr wrote:
DoctorDee wrote:
Anyone tried the movies yet? I'm sure all the information is there for anyone not too lazy to read it, but if you "hire" a movie, how long a window do you have to watch it?
Start watching within two weeks of downloading, it's deleted after 48 hours of starting to watch.
This, IMO, is a major failing and very likely the reason I will never use the PS Store movie service.
I don't get to sit down to watch TV 'til pretty late during the week, so for movies I tend to only have enough viewing time at the weekends. There have been several occasions when I've not gotten around to watching the end of a movie until the following weekend, or even the weekend after that (which busts the 14 day envelope)
Okay, I can understand the 14 day limit, but what's with the 48 hours timebomb thing? Why can't they just let you watch a movie on-and-off (as many times as you like, too) throughout the whole 14 day period?
Even the 14 day limit could be extended by only allowing only one viewable rental. Any other rentals are locked until the one being currently viewed is deleted. There's loads that could be done to provide viewer flexibility while protecting from abuse.
I'm with DoctorDee here - LoveFilm has transformed my movie viewing to the point where I'd drop my Sky Movies sub if it weren't covering cost of the Sky Plus sub. So long as PS Store movie service remains more inflexible than LoveFilm I won't be using it.