By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Sony - Survey: Sony Considering Premium PSN Subscriptions

Solid_Snake4RD on 18 December 2009

A survey sent from IPSOS Online Research indicates that Sony is considering premium subscription plans for the PlayStation Network, detailing potential prices and premium services, including full hour game trials, free access to PSOne Classics, and cross-game voice chat.

Reader Brenna sent us PDF files containing the Sony survey, which begins with the following bit of text:

'Sony is considering offering a premium PlayStation Network subscription in the future. The subscription offering would provide new premium features you could choose to pay for and are in addition to the features currently available for free such as access to online multiplayer gaming (current features would remain free).'

Following the introduction is a series of definitions of terms such as Token Wagering - a set number of tokens given to subscribers per month that can be used to be on games and exchanged for PSN content - and Cloud Storage Space for Games, which would allow players to save their game online rather than on their hard disk, protecting their data.

Other notable services listed as potential premiums include loyalty reward programs, automatic updates, member-exclusive Facebook Connectivity, an online music service and music video service, Hulu TV catch-ups, member-only game content, discounts, demo-sharing (sharing exclusive member-only demos from your full games with friends), and Netflix without a disc.

By far the most attractive premiums are full title trials, which give the user one hour access to full PlayStation 3 games, and free access to PSOne Classics, PSP minis, and premium themes.

The list also indicates that some eagerly awaited features could be subscriber only, such as cross-game voice chat. Having waited so long for the feature, I doubt fans would be particularly happy to have to pay for it.

The chart below details four potential plans, with three costing $69.99 a year or $9.99 a month - more than an Xbox Live Gold subscription, and one running $4.99 a month and $29.99 a year.

We've contacted Sony for comment on the survey, but have yet to hear back as of press time. Just keep in mind that companies regularly test the waters by sending out questionnaires like these, and they by no means represent any concrete plans on Sony's behalf.

It seems as if they simply want to gauge customer reaction to the various plans and features. Your reactions, please?

 

http://kotaku.com/5429592/survey-sony-considering-premium-playstation-network-subscriptions

 



Around the Network
badgenome on 18 December 2009

I like the idea of store discounts and free access to PSOne Classics and PSP Minis.



Serious_frusting on 18 December 2009

if i get all the ps1 classics then its worth it for that alone. if not then fuck off subscription



Nobody's perfect. I aint nobody!!!

Killzone 2. its not a fps. it a FIRST PERSON WAR SIMULATOR!!!! ..The true PLAYSTATION 3 launch date and market dominations is SEP 1st

silicon on 18 December 2009

Too bad they don't really give details on each of the different options.



Vetteman94 on 18 December 2009

It looks fake, why would Sony make 4 plans and spread out their offerings in a random order that make absolutely no sense. And why would only 2 of them get trophy alerts? Isnt that standard on all PS3s? Plus I already have free access to PS1 games and PSP minis and PS3/PSP themes. And they just added facebook connectivity.



Around the Network
nightsurge on 18 December 2009

I had a feeling they were going to try and tack on Cross-Game chat to the premium offerings.

I think of the lot, the first one is the best option because of the extended console warranty so you are covered for YLOD and whatnot.

My only question is, $70 a year? That seems steep when all it includes are these bonus features...

That is if this is even real... because $70 a year sounds a bit exhorbitant.



IllegalPaladin on 18 December 2009

Not too interested (though access to stuff like PS1 games would be cool) especially if it ends up costing $70 a year.

Though then I guess the next question is if this is even real.



PlaystaionGamer on 18 December 2009

if they add more PS1 games and its $29.99 a year il get it!

btw they should not have Cross Game chat on subscription only, everyone should be able to



Vetteman94 on 18 December 2009

I'm still calling BS, Sony said it themselves that the current experience will remain free. But i see mulitple things up there from the current list that they think Sony will be charging for.



Solid_Snake4RD on 18 December 2009
PlaystaionGamer said:
if they add more PS1 games and its $29.99 a year il get it!

btw they should not have Cross Game chat on subscription only, everyone should be able to

look at the fourth option,if they implement that then normal PSN users will also get Voice chat.

 

the list shows what will be available in the premium service,if it is not mentioned in that option then it will be available to everybody.