would you have the pay the 50$ a year in order to access the online marketplace to buy downloadable games, or is that mainly for online multiplayer that you have to pay for?

i have no idea lol.

Just for multiplayer.

Online gaming is the subscription + 1 week earlier access to game demos thats pretty much it.

Look on the bright side, no compulsary installs! Im currently installing GT5P and as my first PS3 install I am officially agravated.

kowenicki said: @ squilliam... That baby takes forever!! lol. LBP is a bit of a drag too due to updates. But GT5P is a real nightmare to install.. haven;t you got a garage you can clear out while it gets on with it? Or maybe you could pen a short story?

Once upon a time in a time far far before wisdom a young boy ventured forth into the local electronics store to purchase the next generation of gaming glory. Alas, innocent times soon give way to betrayal and the blood of many innocents flow down the waters of inevitability. Had this poor boy any wisdom at the time he would have said "Screw this crap, im getting an Xbox 360" and thus the progress bar of betrayal slowly edges towards completion.

you can just use those 1 month free gold cards that come with certain big game titles and dont bother paying online for the rest of the year.

@Squiliam: Did you just say that downloading demos require gold account in Live? I have thought that demos are available for silver accounts just as well.

They are, but gold members get earlier access to demos. Or silver members get delayed access, if you prefer.

no you don't have to pay $50

you can also pay $20 for 3 months

and $10 for 1 month

kowenicki said: Squilliam said: kowenicki said: @ squilliam... That baby takes forever!! lol. LBP is a bit of a drag too due to updates. But GT5P is a real nightmare to install.. haven;t you got a garage you can clear out while it gets on with it? Or maybe you could pen a short story? Once upon a time in a time far far before wisdom a young boy ventured forth into the local electronics store to purchase the next generation of gaming glory. Alas, innocent times soon give way to betrayal and the blood of many innocents flow down the waters of inevitability. Had this poor boy any wisdom at the time he would have said "Screw this crap, im getting an Xbox 360" and thus the progress bar of betrayal slowly edges towards completion.   Thats nowhere near a long enough tale... Its a good 1/2 hour Job if I remember rightly.

You're right!

The poor boy beat down upon the hard, black, crystaline shell of the monster he had invited so willingly into his home. He beat it until the black beast tasted blood and he sat back and let the tears of his shame drip down upon the blood of his misery coating his abused hands. Still the progress bar failed to move, and he sat contemplating whether the blasted machine or himself should be hurled mercilessly through the nearest window.

Then he realised he could play Forza motorsports so he forgot all about that stupid game and that lame machine. The End.

 Installing on PS3 from time to time could be a little annoying but nothing more. Doesn't cost you a penny.