Tag Archives: subscription

PlayStation Vita’s system software update 2.00 will add PS Plus functionality to Sony’s handheld. Current PS Plus subscribers will be able to enjoy extra benefits on Vita with no extra cost from November 21.

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Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Nintendo’s Wi-Fi Connection. One of these things is not like the others. According to Nintendo mother brain Shigeru Miyamoto, however, Nintendo’s offering won’t remain the F-student of the online world forever. Will that mean subscription fees? Maybe. Bet you can’t guess who Nintendo’s been cribbing notes from.

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SCE technology platform boss Masayuki Chatani has told Nikkei that Sony will “face difficulties” if it continues to rely on the “sell-and forget model”.

“Servers and the like have running costs… after we sell the hardware, though, we continue to sell products such as content and services,” he said.

“We expect to see considerable growth in digital content, such as game download services, avatar items and the like.

“We can also accept payment in a growing number of ways.

“In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges. I think this variety of payment methods will bring about a diverse range of playing methods, too.”

Monthly fees, eh? Sony said in a presentation recently that subs were on the way to PSN, but SCE boss Kaz Hirai quickly assured that PS3 network play is to remain free.

Thanks, CVG.

Stand down, soldiers. SCEE’s just sent us a Kaz Hirai quote which confirms that online PSN gameplay is to remain free.

The comment’s from a business meeting at which it was confirmed that subscriptions are on the way to PSN.

“SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network,” said the SCE boss.

“Especially in the online area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services.”

The internet went a little batshit ealirer today on seeing a slide from Sony’s presentation that said PSN is to get a “new revenue stream from subscription”.

Your play is free. You should watch out for the premium content though, wallet-guarders.

Oh dear. Slide 39 in this Sony presentation – headed “Media/Investor Conference,” and dated November 19 – appears to admit that some kind of subscription service is on the way to PSN.

PSN is listed as one of the key advantages of PlayStation 3, as it’s to provide a “new revenue stream from subscription”.

The slide also says that a “non-game software development kit” is to be released in the second quarter of 2010.

Rumour for now. We’ll ask SCEE.

Speaking to MTV at the Wrath of the Lich King launch this week, Blizzard boss Mike Morhaime said that the American subs rate for World of Warcraft won’t be changing in the US any time soon.

“The monthly rate for WoW in the United States has not changed, and we’re not planning any changes to it,” said the exec.

Note the “United States” bit. just to compound the point he was talking specifically about America, Morhaime added:

“I think we’re pretty happy with our pricing in the United States. I think it feels right to us and our players.”

No mention of Europe or Asia there, is there?

There’s a full interview through the link.