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Sony likes keeping things free: We like things being kept free, incidentally photo

While Microsoft continues to charge for its online service, Sony has remained adamant that the PS3 is the place to be for those who don't like paying for things. Claiming that Sony is keen on providing as many free services as possible, Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has been talking about the process of offering these services.

"We're more open about approaching and bringing services in to PS3 and PSP," explained Yoshida. "We can't support all the needs of the consumer and there are great companies providing services on the PC already - so we're very open to provide the opportunity to those companies to reach our user base as well.

"... We like to provide as many services as possible for free - we already provide our network access for gameplay for free - and the interesting thing about the network side and the Internet business is that there's a variety of revenue sources. Not necessarily getting people to pay, but with advertising and so on."

Sounds good to me. Personally, I can't wait for Sony to become more competitive with its online services. Hopefully the company can eventually force Microsoft's hand and we can forget about this ridiculous subscription business. Okay, maybe that's a bit too hopeful, but since MS already shoves adverts on its service and is trying some frankly pathetic methods of making XBL Gold worth the money (holding demos back from Silver members is ludicrous) I wouldn't mind seeing Sony smack its rival down a little.


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17 comments | showing # 1 to 17

CALkulon's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 07:14
CALkulon
Good. There were some nonsense rumours flying around that Sony would start charging for PSN in the near future, so I'm glad this statement smacks them down.

Now if only SCEE would sort itself out and be more like SCEA, it'd be happy days indeed.
Miguelcar808's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 07:18
Miguelcar808
Is good thing the EU doesn't have Qore, otherwise I would find that Shuhei Yoshida's statment stupid
DryvBy's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 07:19
DryvBy
Amen. I still don't know how Microsoft justifies any price for their service, especially when I still see ads everytime I load my Xbox up. When I first got Xbox Live on my 360, I found it ridiculous I had to pay for avatars. 20 MS points or even 40 is just retarded. But I can get free "advertise this product" avatars anytime I want. Why can't I just get my Pip Boy avatars for free?
D-Nez's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 07:26
D-Nez
"Hopefully the company can eventually force Microsoft's hand and we can forget about this ridiculous subscription business."

Well if Sony manages to sell more consoles this generation despite they early lead for 360, you'd think MS would try to figure out what they are doing wrong. Nickel and diming Xbox owners (not just on subscriptions either) leaves a bad after taste. Unfotunately, Sony still has a way to go before PSN is on the same level as Live.
Demtor's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 07:39
Demtor
That is very good to hear. Having never had the chance to own a 360 yet, I often overlook the fact that my online activities on my PS3 are free. Thanks Sony! Nice to hear they will try and keep it that way for as long as possible.

I just hope if they start advertising that its more of a subliminal side bar thing instead of in your face pop ups and such. We'll see though. I'm thinking most of that advertising is going to happen once Home is released.

Thanks for pointing out the XBL Gold bullshit too. Sounds pretty scandalous to me, but then again, this is Microsoft we're talking about. Not hating on the 360, if thats your thing its cool, just saying Microsoft is pretty fucking shady in my books still.
whormongr's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 07:40
whormongr
one of the things that pushed my decision to go ps3 over 360 was the free online- I HATE paying subscriptions (one of the reasons I have never been a big fan of the MMORPG's). And additionally, one thing to remember is that this is yet again another thing to give a thumbs up to sony on the piracy debate- if and when you have custom firmware or hacks- there are many ways to detect it within a psn logons, so if you have a pirating console, you actually would have less functionality and not more (as every hacked console is right now- ds, psp, wii, orig. xbox) THIS is the way to stop piracy, offer the paying consumer a better experience.
Clance's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 07:44
Clance
So Microsoft effectively make people pay for demos? I mean, once you have forked out your savings for a console you shouldn't then be subject to discrimination just becuase you are poorer than others!!

I <3 my PS3 so much. I weeeeally weeeeally do.
necrozen's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 08:34
necrozen
I do appreciate the free service. I mean, forcing your customer to pay for service, then hitting them with ads! That's crazy. But they must do some kind of corporate mind voodoo, because I never hear 360 owners complain about it - in fact, most of the time I hear them DEFENDING it.

I'm all for supporting the hardware you enjoy, but do they realize that it is OK to complain about the things you don't like? Just ask us PS3 owners - that's how we got ourselves in game XMB, took a while, and lots of bitching, but we did it.
Noah's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 08:54
Noah
I liked free things too much...which is how I got banned from Xbox Live last Winter waka waka :)
JayTapp's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 09:12
JayTapp
I don't have a Ps3 but I say GO SONY! I wan't to be able to play NHL and gears of war coop with my friends online for free.

I have yet to pay for GOLD because I play TF2 on my computer anyway for free and more content.
B-Radicate's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 11:41
B-Radicate
As much as I love my 360, I do truly hate paying for XBL. Not having a PS3 forces me to pay, though, for online play.

The fact they still cram the service chock full of crappy advertisements for stuff I don't care about is even worse. Paying for Gold should remove all ads from Live or at least give you the choice to remove them yourself. Or have them more dynamically update to your game playing habits or something that makes them more worthwhile.

As it stands... it sucks, but I stomach it because I wanna play online with my friends (none of which have PS3s).
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 13:16
brainderailment
There is no reason to defend microsoft charging for live. I don't care what they say, Live users see more ads on their paid for service than PSN users do on their free service.
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/28/2008 14:41
MechaMonkey
Free is a price I'm willing to pay for freedom.
jorgiex's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2008 19:48
jorgiex
well with all the haters on the PS side I must say it is really sad for the attitudes on sony fanboys...I do own a ps3 (60Gb) with an upgrade 250GB HDD so I do support my gaming habbit well and I do not support sony as a fanboy. I love playing on my PS3 online but must admit it is no were as good as Live! in any way at all. Just to say you can play with your friends is not reason enough to say it is all great. On Live! and even people that will not admit it love the service..The adverts do not hinder your experience or online gaming at all.just like all the banner ads on this site don't stop you from loving this site. so that is a dead argument. Once I can voice chat with any of my ps3 friends at anytime even while i am watching a movie or playing another game while my friends do what ever they want on there side then I say yes I will pay for that if free means i can't do it. No will we all just love every system for what they offer rather than hate them for what they dont.
w0olfie's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/02/2008 10:09
w0olfie
actually jorgiex I haven't really seen anyone bashing the 360 its actually the opposite, people are going out of their way to say I'm not bashing ms. I personally know a few people that choose games now for ps3 so they can play online with me and some of my friends and because of this are glad that they don't have to renew their xbl accounts. Some have actually shelved their 360s. They have good games such as gears and bio shock which I was upset about until it was stated to be released on ps3 with extras. But most people that I know have both systems like Sony more because they listen to their customers and they care what the customers want. I mean yeah they may be slow at bringing some things that this one feels is more of a priority than another person thinks but as a whole all things will come in time. I still commend them for being a company that listens.
w0olfie's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/02/2008 10:13
w0olfie
sorry for the typos I'm typin from my phone. LOL!
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