Possible PSN premium services detailed in leaked survey?
By Paul Miller 
posted December 19th 2009 7:40PM
posted December 19th 2009 7:40PM
- Customer Service Priority Access
- Exclusive Experiences with Sony Brands
- Extended Console Warranty 3 Years
- Access to Beta Games
- Early Access to All Store Content
- Member Demo Sharing of Full Game
- Cross-game Voice Chat Access
- Full Title Trial - 1st Hour Is Free
- Token Wagering
- User-to-user Challenges
- Free Access to PSOne Classics, PSP Minis, and PS3/PSP Themes
- Discounts on Store Content
- Member Only In-game Content
- Trophy Alerts
- Cloud Storage Space for Games
- Online Music Service
- Online Music Video Service
- Automatic Downloads and Updates
- Loyalty Program Rewards
- Facebook Connectivity
- Catch-up TV
- Netflix Access Without Disc
[Thanks, Christopher]
Customer Service Priority Access
Priority access to PlayStation's customer service both online and via phone should you need technical help or have questions about your products. This feature gives you support with little to no waiting.
Exclusive Experiences with Sony Brands
Get member-only access to attend exclusive Sony events and experiences throughout the year, including those offered by PlayStation, Sony Pictures, and Sony Music.
Extended Console Warranty 3 Years
Get your PS3 warranty extended to 3 years as part of your overall subscription (requires you to keep your subscription active). The standard warranty on your PS3 is 1 year.
Access to Beta Games
Get access to Betas of popular games not yet released at retail (Betas offer bigger experiences than typical game demos). You will have the ability to play these games before others do.
Early Access to All Store Content
Get early access to select free and purchasable game related content on the PlayStation Store before it's available to everyone else. This includes games, add-ons, themes, avatars, as well as free game demos.
Member Demo Sharing of Full Game
Share a level of a game that you just purchased for your PS3 with a subscriber who doesn't own the game. Your friends could do the same. This would be an exclusive demo not available otherwise to those who haven't purchased the game.
Cross-game Voice Chat Access
Get exclusive member-only access to cross-game voice chat. This is the ability to use your headset to voice chat with friends on your PS3 regardless of what they are doing on the PS3.
Full Title Trial - 1st Hour Is Free
Download full versions of select Blu-ray and PSN game titles and have the chance to play the entire game (single or multiplayer) for free for the first hour. After that time you will have the option of purchasing the game to continue playing.
Token Wagering
Get a fixed number of tokens per month you can wager with other players in competitive online games. These tokens could then be built up and redeemed for free PlayStation Network games and other content.
User-to-user Challenges
Unlock developer-created challenges while playing games. Compete with your friends to see who can be the first to complete these challenges. The PS3 will automatically offer and track challenges and winners and would post results. An example of a challenge is 'first to get 10 trophies' in a particular game.
Free Access to PSOne Classics, PSP Minis, and PS3/PSP Themes
Get a fixed number of PSOne Classic games, PSP Minis (bite-sized games), and PS3/PSP themes per month to keep for free for as long as you are a subscriber. The PlayStation Store offers these types of content for $2-6 each.
Discounts on Store Content
Get weekly member-exclusive discounts on specific games, game add-ons and themes on the PlayStation Store. Discounts may range from 20-50% off regular retail prices.
Member Only In-game Content
Get exclusive member-only in-game content for your PS3 or PSP such as new game play options, unlocked in-game weapons or player slots, exclusive levels, costumes/skins, and PlayStation Home spaces.
Trophy Alerts
Get automated alerts on your PlayStation XrossMedia Bar, PlayStation.com, and via text message (if you so choose) that alert you when your friends get any trophy or a specific one. This feature is customizable - you can choose which friends to receive alerts from and what kinds of alerts.
Cloud Storage Space for Games
Store your game saves on a virtual secure saver. This would allow you to access your game saves at any point in time, and from any PlayStation 3 or PSP console you are logged in on.
Online Music Service
Get a streaming music service that allows you to choose your channel based on music style, artist type, etc. and listen to an unlimited number of tracks. This service would be for use outside of playing a game and similar to Pandora or a Last.fm.
Online Music Video Service
Get a streaming music video service on your PlayStation 3 that lets you stream music videos from a continuously growing catalog of music and allows you to create a custom playlist to play back.
Automatic Downloads and Updates
Customize the types of updates you want your PS3 to download automatically. These include game updates (patches) for games that you own, firmware updates, and game demos downloaded on your PS3 without manually having to select them and wait for them to finish downloading. Your PS3 can be set to automatically turn on for updates and turn off after completion.
Loyalty Program Rewards
Get rewards the longer you are a subscriber and also earn rewards by engaging with PlayStation such as buying games, downloading movies, and rating products. Rewards can include full versions of PlayStation Network games and digital movie rentals from the PlayStation Store.
Facebook Connectivity
Access to member-exclusive Facebook features on your PlayStation 3, such as viewing and linking your Facebook accounts with their PSN ID's, updating your status, editing, uploading and sharing photos, and viewing photo albums of your friends on your TV.
Catch-up TV
Get access to popular TV shows and movies through service providers such as Hulu, simply by clicking an icon on your PS3 XrossMedia navigation bar.
Netflix Access Without Disc
Access the Netflix video streaming service on your PS3 without the need to insert a special disc into the drive each time to access the service. A separate Netflix subscription would also be needed to enjoy the service. Netflix offers over 17000 popular movies and TV shows for streaming on your laptop or a supported device such as a PS3.
@YvesOfWinter
1. If they are going to add a sort of premium access to customer service, that means they have to change how existing customer service is handled. Moving existing customers to the back of the cue in favor of paid access customer service.
2. Netflix already comes on many devices without an extra charge, it sells the PS3 and gives Sony and edge over other devices. I know you can get it via disk now, but the difference between being able to install it natively and having it on a dvd is one that is ridiculous for Sony to charge for, it's a greedy move and it would hurt their brand. There's no reason to charge for this. Also a lot of people purchased PS3's because of Netflix, and when the announcement was made it was understood that eventually it would be an installable option.
3. For early access to store content to happen it means that they have to delay access non "premium" customers. That's a change.
4. Member only in game content means they are directly going back on their word. In game content isn't added because there are premium subscribers, it's taken away from everyone else.
5. Automatic downloads and updates??? Give me a break we shouldn't have to pay to keep your games up to date in a reasonable manner.
6. Access to Beta games. We already have access to beta games, this means their taking it away?
7. In terms of Facebook/ Hulu/ Anything web related, Sony should be doing whatever they can to make the device more able to access the web. It's a promise inherent in the device, but the company has done a lousy job of updating the browser/web setup. No I don't think they can charge a monthly fee to access the web, it makes no sense. Imagine if Apple charged a monthly fee to access Facebook on your iPod Touch, or didn't allow it all together? It'd be ridiculous. Sony is going the wrong direction with this, if they were smart they'd open up their own kind of console appstore for web apps. I understand they wouldn't want to eat into console gaming sales, but this concept would put more PS3's out there and increase gaming sales in the long run.
Things like cloud storage, say a photo/flickr upload ecosystem, music, music video, discounts make sense, but a many of the things on that list scream of broken promises, poor treatment of customers and reduced sales of PS3's.
Customer Service Priority Access
Exclusive Experiences with Sony Brands
Extended Console Warranty 3 Years
Access to Beta Games
Early Access to All Store Content
Member Demo Sharing of Full Game
Cross-game Voice Chat Access
Full Title Trial - 1st Hour Is Free
Token Wagering
User-to-user Challenges
Free Access to PSOne Classics, PSP Minis, and PS3/PSP Themes
Discounts on Store Content
Member Only In-game Content
Trophy Alerts
Cloud Storage Space for Games
Online Music Service
Online Music Video Service
Automatic Downloads and Updates
Loyalty Program Rewards
Facebook Connectivity
Catch-up TV
Netflix Access Without Disc
@justlooking
they have to make money somehow. i love not having to pay for psn, but you get what you (don't) pay for...psn < xbl, for now. why? because it's a paid serice, meaning they can pump money into development for the online service. i would love to see an updated psn, because as far a systems go, ps3 > xbox 360.
[and, to the potential trolls/fanbois, i own both. no need to flame :)]
@wdfowty I think we're already paying for that through buying into the system (console, games, etc.).
Token Wagering sounds illegal...
@Jeff
Why? it does't envolve real money..That's like saing the pokemon casino is illegal o_o
@PimpinPope
*involve *saying
...man, long night..
@PimpinPope
Perhaps not. I assumed you bought the tokens rather than them being given out each month. My bad.
If this is accurate, Microsoft isn't going to know what hit it.
@Konrad Unfortunately, Microsoft now has access to Sony's plans.
If they don't respond, they know exactly what hit them, and could easily avoid it by just implementing some of these features first.
Some features I don't see as important, but the 1 hour demos would be great for Games On Demand, Cloud Storage is something they should have had out yesterday (portable game saves and Gamertags without having to load it on a memory card), Games On Demand game sharing for a pre-determined amount of time, and an Achievement based rewards program (there might be legal reasons why this cant be done). As for the rest, they either already have it implemented now or they are not that important. I guess you could offer XBOX 1 titles for free, but who cares. The catalog online for those games is insignificant and they don't have a catalog of games that are easy to emulate like Sony does. And Live Arcade games cannot just be offered for free since the developers have a stake in it. The only way they could is if Microsoft and Sony pay the developer from the pool of money they collect from subscriptions based on whether a subscriber downloaded and played the game (played is key since a developer can just convince people to download the game and never actually play it so they can make more money), or only offer a small amount of free titles to subscribers.
Those top 4, however, are really great ideas and technically could be implemented by them right now. There is no technical limitation. Only contractual/legal limitations.
I took the survey and can verify that it states in the beginning of the survey that online play will remain free. This survey is legit. I still have the email that Sony sent to me to access the survey. The survey is completed through a partnership with IPSOS and goes through quite a lengthy process and various possible packages that I had to choose which appealed to me the most. It also had questions like, what other game consoles/handhelds I owned and question determining how big of a geek I am basically.
@W3pwawet would u mind sharing the link to the survey. I'm sure everyone here would like to take it...
@mebaby Not sure if this will work or not just because I tried retaking it and it would not work for me, but here's the link anyways.
https://surveys.globalepanel.com/wix/p570553191.aspx?r=19535&s=WIUEQCKX
count me in!
Count me in even if half of those features are true.
Okay, now this is completely stupid. They're just hiding the fact that you still have to pay for all that "free" stuff. Netflix streaming without a disc? I'm good and its not that hard to get up and put the disc in the console. Besides, you'll have to quit your game to watch the movie even without a disc. Three year warrenty... I don't think most PS3 users will want that. Facebook-can do it on my computer. Earlier access to games?.. Earlier access a week before the game comes out. Please Sony, don't F up PSN. I like it the way it is.
@Tothamax
I agree.
Being a PSP Go ownen free PS1 games& minis had me sold, until I read 'as long as you are a subscriber' which in a way is understandable, BUT what about if I take a month out because I have a rough month? I think that should be more like for keeps as long as you have subscribed for a certain ammount of months. Also the 3 year waranty thing looks pretty sweet, and the rest is just a bonus I suppose. I'd like to see this expanded, but modified slightly
WOW, if they can make good on these features, then I would gladly sign up.
Cross-game chat and Netflix access without a disc? You greedy fuckers.
As long as status quo for online play remains the same, I see no problems charging extra for the above features. Otherwise, this might become another thing Sony will back track on and eat it's hat (see: b/w compatibility, linux, SACD support etc).
Also, why am I 'unverified' still?
@(Unverified)
This feature might change your status quo... Because premium users will have things that others dont.
Member Only In-game Content
Get exclusive member-only in-game content for your PS3 or PSP such as new game play options, unlocked in-game weapons or player slots, exclusive levels, costumes/skins, and PlayStation Home spaces.
I'd be willing to pay for those extra features.
Say Hello to PSN GOLD.......
You get what you pay for.....we all know that.
This survey is real, I recieved the servey yesturday from sony via email. I'm Canadian, don't know if that has anything to do with it. It was a long survey as well.
i got the netflix disc and if they make it so only premium members can use netflix i will not be happy...
Sounds like the Xbox Live service I already love and use.
=P
WTF? "Netflix access without the disc". I've been waiting for this in a firmware update, now am I going to have to pay a subscription fee to get it? Weak!
One of the big advantages of the PS3 over the XBox 360 is that you don't have to pay to get online. If this policy changes for some important features (like Netflix capability, which doesn't have to rely at all on any of Sony's servers if the software had direct access to Netflix), it would be a major letdown.
I think people would pay for the early beta access stuff, member in-game content and cloud acces. It all 3 things came with the subscription. But cross-game chat, netflix and some of the other crap they would have to be insane to charge.
I like the idea of the discount on PSN purchases but I would prefer it be a straight up discount on all purchases not tied to some game of the week. That would just be dumb. What items get discounts, those studios that pay Sony the most to promote their games :-( Items you want in the store might ever get discounted :-((
The warranty idea is kind of cool but how would it affect people that bought their units third party and those users that have owned their systems for an extended amount of time. Would everyone get to start fresh at year one ownership?
I like the idea of exclusive content (if it is real exclusive content like game levels, items not just skins, abilities, etc but would developers really design extras like that if there wouldn't be an extremely large install base to utilize those extra in game features?
I would hope Sony would go to the low end on pricing and keep all those features. 20 dollars is reasonable; I am not too sure about 60
The time trial and in game level sharing is a really interesting idea for game demoing. Should be standard in my opinion since there tends to be few demos for PSN game titles.
I really like the token wagering idea. Not sure if I would use it since I suck at most every game I play but still a really neat idea to spur online play and in a different way. Just hope that they prices to buy things with tokens don't turn about to be insane like 1million tokens for a 5 dollar game or something crazy like that.
Instant beta access would be awesome especially every game would have a beta release to test out.
if sony makes us pay, then im switching to xbox
@Dannyd534
That makes sense, seing as Ms DONT charge you for online play.
The PS3 may finally have an edge over the Xbox with all these features. I wonder how these features (and price) be evolved with the successor consoles?
I think some of that stuff would make it worth paying the membership price. I rarely play games with it though so I won't be doing it.
If this costs 30-50$ per month, it would be awesome!
Just don't take it to 60 or 70...
@Marcos BC
Uhh, I hope you mean per year...
@newtype Oh, yeah. Thanks for the correction :)
Guys, Sony is still considering whether or not to have a premium service but looking at the nature of Sony (higher-end stuff) they will probably have a premium service that you have to pay for. As for including everything on that list, it is very doubtful. It is very optimistic to believe that everything on that list will be included. The stuff that might be included will be about half of that list.
@Jakintosh
XBL Gold services:
Early Access to All Store Content
Discounts on Store Content
Online Music Service
Facebook Connectivity
Catch-up TV
Netflix Access Without Disc
XBL Silver services:
Cross-game Voice Chat Access
Seem to be a fair few listed options that are already available as a premium XBL service. A lot of the others seem like very good ideas that should be in a premium service, except the cross-game voice chat (should be free) and the automatic updates (should also be free).
Trophy alerts doesn't seem like a fantastic idea (maybe as a pop-up message while you're playing, but this should be free), and I could leave some of the others (such as the music video service and exclusive experiences).
While a tiered online experience would be good for some of the listed features; Sony should add many of those features to the base (free) online experience that they offer to build up the install base of the platform.
what a surprise... this is not the first time Sony leaked information to soon. *cough-cough* PsP go?
Uhm.. Fck Sony if some of these options are going to require subscription.. especially 'cross-game chat' (not that it would be a feature I would use), 'Netflix', or automatic updates...
The XMB is already getting worse and worse with every update..
@SuperDre
Aside from the inclusion of the PS Store in every menu, I think the XMB has remained relatively clean and simple.
...at least there aren't Wendy's ads to look at while I'm navigating the XMB!
The only ones I really agree with there are free PSOne/PSP mini games & PS store discounts, extended warranty & customer service priority, and beta access. The rest should either be available to everyone (e.g. cross-game chat) or involve taking features away from non-paying members to make premium accounts more attractive (e.g. early demo access), a la Xbox Live as of late...
The nice thing is that if you don't want or need those extra services you can still play online for free it seems, a step up from XBL IMO.
I must be the only one on here that thinks that entire list deserves a yawn. I'm not cheap but I don't see anything on that list that interests me enough to pay $5, much less whatever rate they eventually charge. And the Netflix thing is stupid - Tivo has a deal w/ Netflix already so I'll just continue watching my movies thru that (I've only used the Netflix disc once w/ PS3 and the experience was worse than that on Tivo anyway).
I am almost certain they will have different levels of premium like silver and gold packages one will be like $5.00 - $8.00 mo. but with some of the features they are talking about and the higher one (gold) will be somewhere like 10.00 - 13.00 mo. which will give you everything and i am sure the price will be a lot less if you you get the year subscription