You think it will be $72 a year just for cross-game chat? You're crazy.

they will charge for cross game chat, that's something that 360 has for free and they would get hell from all their users (including me) if they try to charge for it. I'm hoping they are talking about paid premium services that make sense, like maybe a subscription service for video rentals. Now that I would definately pay for! But may not happen since they have netflix now.

They already increased their revenue with the ticker and putting a PS Store icons in 50 different places.



Frankly I don't care if PSN is "free" or not. I don't use or care about any of the features of PSN. What I do care about is that I'm required to log into PSN to play games across an internet connection I'm paying for, on hardware I paid for. I ONLY log onto PSN when I play Kill Zone 2 online. I don't use any of the features of PSN, so why am I forced to use it? And, no, playing online is not a feature of PSN.

I wouldn't doubt MAG being a subcription-based MMO. I have no idea how Sony would intend to host servers that can handle 256 simultaneous users without charging for upkeep; especially considering most good developers can bare handle 16 let alone 32.



I also wouldn't doubt that Home would go subcription-based once it's finally out of beta.



I also wouldn't be surprised to see a Netfilx button added under video on the XMB in a future update (not that it would generate revenue for Sony unless Netflix is paying for the spot)



On a more far-fetched cash cow, Sony can take a Mobile-Me / BES approach of pushing PSN data to your PSP. Imagine a friend messages you on your PS3 or in Home and that gets pushed to your PSPGo in real time. Even more, it can push your kookie facebook data to further the integration. Remember when Sony envisioned the PSP as a integral part of Home and the PSN community? This BES-esque service could make that a reality (at a price). Probably not possible since the PSP doesn't use cell towers, but imagine a CDMA or GSM PSP2. A little more feasible eh?

Yes, I could even see Hulu being a great fit for a subscription on PSN. But, I'm certainly game for them doing it with MMO's, or for upgraded movie/download services or VidZone (like Europe has). I can't see Home being entirely subscription-based. It would need to be a LOT more functional than it currently is in order for it to be worth it (ie: Game Launching would need to cover ALL features of online multiplayer options, not just a chosen few --Resistance2 doesn't even support creating a Co-op event). Right now, it would appear to be a marketing prospect with a light dose of social networking. I wouldn't think they'd want to *decrease* the amount of traffic that their sponsors get into Home.

I didn't know that lol

How are you being forced in to useing PSN? Yes it is on your system, but are you forced in useing the PS store? Are you forced in to useing home? No, you are not. With Home, You do not have to install it at all. As for online games. It is free. You are not paying any thing above what you are paying for you ISP. So I do not see your complaint at all. Just be thankfull you are not having to put up with XBox Live(that you do have to pay for to play online.)

What part of giving up control of my own hardware is free? What if I don't want to update to the newest firmware (because they add crap I don't like)? And don't bring your straw-man "as least it's not as bad as" argument. ***** that. I can play games on my PC online without having worry about Windows getting a mandatory ad ticker installed. And even if that does happen I have the option of fixing/uninstalling/reformating.

your argument is bunk.



first of all, using your ps3 to play online is a feature of the psn. why? because you are playing on the playstation network. DUH. as long as your ps3 is connected to the internet, you are using psn.



secondly, you care or you dont. which one is it? does it affect your gaming that the ps3 looks different or that they add new features? NOPE. complaining about having features you dont use is stupid.



thirdly, it is free. xbox charges for their live services. the equivalent to that on the ps3 is psn. which of the two do you pay for? here's a hint: not psn.



no one is hi-jacking your ps3. your just being a suck. straight up, and a *****.