This site has learned from a highly placed source that Sony will be announcing 'Premium Subscription Packages' for the PlayStation Network. Up till now PSN is a free online gaming service provided to PS3 console owners with no monthly or annual fees. But since its launch its user base has grown many folds.
A gaming survey released by Kotaku stated that PSN now has more users online than Xbox Live which in comparison to PSN requires monthly or yearly subscriptions.The source also said that the announcement of these premium subscriptions will not in any way affect the free services already offered on PSN. Meaning that players who want to carry on playing for free on PSN can do so at their own free will.
So what is Sony offering premium users? VG247 further states that Premium Packages will include:
- One free PSN game every month! from a selection of 2-4 games.(each game costs around 10-15$)
- A streaming music application will be announced which can run in the background while players play games.
- Also the "Cross Game Voice Chat" Feature is rumored to be for everyone not only for Premium Users.
If the above rumors are true then its a shame for all the XBL players since they will have to pay for the online play no matter what while Playstation users can choose between a Premium Subscription and Free online play.