Heck no its not satire... I'd take a top of the line azure server global infrastructure for 30bucks a year plus all the other discounts/ free game/ free points I get over PS+ MP solution or even over PC dedicated servers... Not only MP has never been on par on PS3 and 360 EVER I had 5 years of log comparison from my router back in college to support it with unquestionable doubt... And this Gen there is no way Sony or third parties come even close to MS infrastructure... And even if they would (which they won't) the principal alone of non dedicated azure servers allows way more possibilities on the long term than anything else even on PC gaming using other solution...
so yeah 30 bucks a year... Recouping that cost with discounts/ rewards / and even gwg makes it even more an u debatable no brainer for any serious MP player... It's like arguing a buy one get one free deal imo...
