Sony's (breathe in) executive vice president and chief technology officer (Technology Platform and Strategy Planning department) one Mr Masayuki Chatani has stated that the company is considering monthly fees for PlayStation Network.
Speaking to Japan's Nikkei, the executive states, "In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges".
The idea of fees for the currently gratis online service its head earlier this year but were quickly spun into safety by SCE.
The full context of Mr Chatani's response is, "Servers and the like have running costs, and we would face difficulties if our business depended solely on the sell-and-forget model. After we sell the hardware, though, we continue to sell products such as content and services.
"We expect to see considerable growth in digital content, such as game download services, avatar items and the like.
"We can also accept payment in a growing number of ways. In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges. I think this variety of payment methods will bring about a diverse range of playing methods, too."
It would appear that nothing in this statement contradicts the idea that paid won't replace free entirely.
Via CVG.
Speaking to Japan's Nikkei, the executive states, "In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges".
The idea of fees for the currently gratis online service its head earlier this year but were quickly spun into safety by SCE.
The full context of Mr Chatani's response is, "Servers and the like have running costs, and we would face difficulties if our business depended solely on the sell-and-forget model. After we sell the hardware, though, we continue to sell products such as content and services.
"We expect to see considerable growth in digital content, such as game download services, avatar items and the like.
"We can also accept payment in a growing number of ways. In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges. I think this variety of payment methods will bring about a diverse range of playing methods, too."
It would appear that nothing in this statement contradicts the idea that paid won't replace free entirely.
Via CVG.
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
PyroPsychotic 15 Dec 2009 18:50
1/3
oh bloody hell, i just recently changed to ps3 after my xbox died, because i thought it was free online and would stay that way, if it turns out that they will bring in a monthly subscription, im going back to xbox. i dont care if they die, i find the interface better than ps3 in my opinion. sony you are barely surviving as it is with weak sales in comparison to others, doing this will just put more people off
Dreadknux 15 Dec 2009 18:55
2/3
Sounds like SCE are looking at subscription models for services, but not necessarily for online play or PSN in general. We'll see. The introduction of MMOs to the PS3 next year could help bring in some extra subscription funds that the company needs without having to charge for general online play.
Ryan 26 Dec 2010 17:39
3/3
Thats Pretty F**ked Up.
My parents bought me a PS3 for christmas cus theo nline was free(they ddint want to pay for the xbox fee). Looks like im going to have to pay anyway =/ chores here i come
My parents bought me a PS3 for christmas cus theo nline was free(they ddint want to pay for the xbox fee). Looks like im going to have to pay anyway =/ chores here i come