http://360.kombo.com/article.php?artid=14059

August 27, 2008 | 5:41 PM PST

by: Kim Fidler

Could Activision be looking to squeeze more money out of gamers with a subscription fee to play Guitar Hero World Tour online? Earlier tonight, NintendoWiiFanboy put on their Internet detective hats and uncovered a very suspicious blurb at the tail end of an IGN article. A disclaimer which seems to indicate that an online subscription fee exists for the PS3 and Wii versions of Guitar Hero World Tour. While it may be related to the recently announced track sharing component of GHWT, I wouldn't put it past Activision to charge gamers that are not currently paying an annual online fee.

*Online gameplay is only available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Wii and may require an additional subscription. -- IGN

If this turns out to be true, it's going to look really bad on Activision. Just because some people would be willing to pay to play with their friends online, it doesn't mean they should have to. I believe there exists a fine line between running a successful business and being downright mean to the people who buy your games. Would Activision really be willing to cross that line?

This won't end good if true...

That's a legal disclaimer. Don't worry about it.

Edit: By which I mean Activision is merely covering itself legally by stating beforehand that owners of a Wii or PS3 may be forced by Nintendo/Sony to pay a fee to link their console to the internet, a la the 360. If they promise free online and either Nintendo or Sony begins charging before then, Activision may face a class-action lawsuit for its Guitar Hero franchise.

Again.

So they're playing it safe this time.

I wonder if this is just a case of a missing comma.

@ Jagged

I think you're right!


*Online gameplay is only available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Wii[,] and may require an additional subscription. -- IGN

I think it would be like this.

*Online gameplay is only available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, and Wii(;?) and may require an additional subscription. -- IGN

I think the comma explanation covers it. Activision would be stupid to charge especially when Rockbands going to be free.

might be hinting at Nintendo's Paytoplay service.

That's terrible. I plannet on getting this but if it happens to any console, then EA get my $.

360 owners already pay for online, so yeah :)