PS3 Informer

Sony Planning Paid PSN Service?

Sony may be exploring ways to charge a subscription fee for its PSN network services, according to a recent survey conducted by market research firm IPSOS. Microsoft already charges a monthly subscription for its competing Xbox Live Gold program, and Sony may be looking for additional ways to make the PS3 console profitable. Both Sony's PSN and Microsoft's Live Gold services currently offer multiplayer matchmaking for online games, downloadable demos, player tracking systems and access to communication tools like facebook and twitter.

Sony CEO Kaz Hirai earlier confirmed his company's interest in online paid subscriptions during a call with investors in November:

"SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network. 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," he told investors.

More concrete details about Sony's potential subscription plans were revealed when Kotaku published the marketing survey from IPSOS, which was distributed to customer this month. Respondents are asked to give their opinions on features to be included in a premium subscription service that would cost $69.99 per year.

While many of the proposed features in the survey sound nifty, we can't quite see them adding enough value to warrant the steep $69.99 yearly fee. Netflix access and cross-game chat are convenient, and they should be included in the basic PSN service already. Those users who are interested in participating in Beta testing are already able to do so by hounding individual developers for codes, and game demos should be standard for all big new releases, without having to pay for them. Perhaps the most valuable proposition on the list is access to PSP Minis and PSOne games, which is a superb idea. But could we play enough PSP Minis games in a year to justify the $69.99 price? Why not throw in a set number of free game rentals every month, and then you've got yourself a deal.

See Sony? You should have sent the survey to us.

Sony may have plans to offer subscription-based premium services to the PSN.