So when MS does it is dumb but when Sony does it is a good idea? Makes sense.

Don't worry, I think it is dumb either way ^^

Along side a model they charge for up front, sure, I expect both Microsoft and Sony will be testing the waters for subscriptions more thoroughly. Offer it alongside a good online service and it makes sense for the consumer and for the manufactuers--IF they can get the pricing and balance of services right.

So MS are a bunch of crooks for financing the 360, but Id imagine that somehow Sony would be given a free pass for doing it amiright?

Microsoft did it because they used supply lines that they could control, their store, I can see Sony doing this but I don't see it happening outside of a few choice store chains and with an upfront cost

O_o

Someone actually thinks that people would happily pay AU$1200 for a games console? People don't go into service contracts with phone service providers in order to get a mobile phone. They go into the contract for the service, and the new phone is a perk, a benefit for choosing a certain contract.

I don't think anybody would happily pay AU$50 per month for 24 months for a games console. Among problems with the idea, there's the fact that you wouldn't be able to reasonably sell the system if you were dissatisfied with it (hate companies trying to get rid of used game sales? Watch what happens when they try it with used consoles), the question of what happens after those 24 months are up, and how to work retailers into this system without screwing someone over, not to mention the difficulty in having retail discounts under this system.

Someone above me pointed out that Sony has already tried this with the Vita. Need I point out how weakly the Vita is currently selling? MS tried it with the 360 - I haven't heard anyone say a good word about how MS's deal worked well for them - I don't even know if MS is still offering it.

If you don't want it, just buy off contract, I don't see any problem if they also want to offer this model. MS does it already.

Worst idea ever, 1200$ for a possibly 400$ console? Least I do not plan on buying it until it is around 300$.

Yes, I agree with base cost + sub. Not free + sub.

Careful - it's AU$1200, not US$1200. The Wii U Premium costs AU$430, to give you a reference point. Although it's possible that the PS4 will cost AU$400, it's unlikely unless Sony is going the "Nintendo route", in which case I doubt that they'd be coming up with such a system anyway.

To give you another reference point, the 60 GB PS3, in Australia, launched at AU$999. The 20 GB PS3 launched at AU$799.