Rumor: Sony will be introducing a new paid online service with the PS4

[DarthVolod]

Zappykins said:

DarthVolod said:

I guess I just never understood all the fuss about paying $40 a year (assuming you buy live on sale which you should). I used to play MMORPG games for years and years and that averages out to almost $200 a year (12 * 15 = 180).

Sony will do just fine if they charge for online just like MS does. I honestly don't think the free online is that big of an advantage for Sony to part with. The consoles can distinguish themselves on the basis of their games just like the old days.

Also comming from a MMORPG I found this confusing.  Espcialy, as now it gives you so many more apps. You are bound to find something you like (Personally my new favorite is Vevo form music and Magna Entertainment for Animme.)

Xlive, It's around the cost of one game.  But the money helps and forces MS make a better service.

Plus aren't the unlimited music services like $10-15/month?

Agreed. Almost everything has a subscription fee nowadays ... netflix is $108 a year and Amazon prime is $80 a year as well. I can only imagine how much music services cost per year...

The only part of my post that I would change would be that consoles should compete just on the basis of games. This was fine when that was all they did (pre 2005), but they have so many apps and extra features now that you can't get the whole picture or value of a system from games alone. Video game consoles have transformed into media hubs, and they should be judged on the basis of their games and extra media features. Even Nintendo seems to agree with their Wii U TV thing or whatever it is called.