150°

PlayStation Plus: A Service Worth Emulating?

Stuff: A press release yesterday announcing that free downloadable copies of Batman Arkham City, Limbo and Vanquish will be available to PlayStation Plus subscribers from December 5 is another compelling argument for PlayStation 3 owners to sign up. It's also a strong stance that Sony sees the PlayStation brand as a games player first and foremost. And with the PlayStation Plus service now available to PS Vita owners (who will be able to download Mortal Kombat and Knytt Underground for their handheld device from mid-December), Sony is sending a signal to its rivals that it values its user base.

wishingW3L4158d ago

for a poor gamer like me PS+ is a blessing because I can play lots of games in a year by just spending $50-60 a year!

-Mika-4158d ago

I agree. I think it would be cool if Valve bought this type of program to it service. It could really take off.

Bubbles me up for that comment :)

Y_51504157d ago

I see... you are desperate for them bubbles! XD

MAJ0R4157d ago

Steam doesn't need the service as they already have 10x the value of Playstation Plus.

For the autumn sale I purchased about 20 games (a couple being very big AAA games such as The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition) for a little more than $60. On top of that, I can continue playing them and not have to spend another $60 next year to renew a subscription ;)

Gaming_Guru4157d ago

At MAJ0R:

The difference is that once downloaded I can download them again like Resident Evil 5 Golden Edition, Infamous 2, Little Big Planet 2, Uncharted Golden Abyss, Batman: Arkham City, Limbo, or Crysis 2 are just some of the games that are / were on the list.

rpd1234157d ago

Bubble whoring makes me want to bubble you down...

Ducky4157d ago (Edited 4157d ago )

Steam already offers cloud storage, automatic updating, and discounts for free. I'd rather they keep those things free rather than turn it into a subscription.

There already are services such as IGN-Prime which gives early betas, discounts and free game per month (and that's a free game that you get to keep even after subscription runs out)

... there's also Gamefly and OnLive which offer subscription-based service if you want access to a library of 'free' games.
Valve doesn't need to follow suit.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4157d ago
TheGrimOfDeath4157d ago

Is it really worth it? I know that you can keep the games for a limited time, but that's the thing 'limited'. What If I don't want PS+ anymore? Poof all my money is gone.

FunAndGun4157d ago

It is the same as any subscription based model. You get the stuff when you pay, you lose it when you stop paying.

Netflix, Phone, Internet service, Cable, XboxLive, Gamefly....it is all the same.

so ask yourself....is any of that other stuff worth it?

Plus is full of value. You get to play many games throughout the year for $50. Yes, your money is gone after that year, but you traded it to play games.

You can look at any payed service as money wasted, but you got the value of that service for your money, it is not wasted.

jjb19814157d ago

They are only available for a limited time to download, once downloaded, they are yours to keep as long as you remain a ps+ member.

LOGICWINS4158d ago (Edited 4158d ago )

The issue is that most PS3 gamers don't know/care about PS Plus...this situation is much more prevalent for 360 only gamers that only buy COD and nothing else.

Just today, I told my friend(owner of a PS3 Super Slim, Wii U, Wii, Xbox 360, Vita, DS, 3DS, and PSP) about PS Plus and he shrugged it off.

Sony needs to start advertising PS Plus more. People don't UNDERSTAND what its all about.

guitarded774157d ago (Edited 4157d ago )

So because your friend shrugged it off, most gamers don't want it? Your friend is representative of most gamers? Over on the PlayStation Blog, most gamers have a + icon on their profile... and on my friends list on PS3/PSV, the majority of my friends have a + icon next to their avatar. I think + is something all PS3/PSV gamers should consider for the cloud storage alone. Even if they don't want the games, it's a good insurance policy in case one's PS3 crashes... everything is saved in the cloud for me. Butif they're not interested in new games to play each month and deep discounts on other titles, they're probably the type of gamers who just play a couple games anyway, and could reasonably do without +.

StrongMan4157d ago

He needs to take the word "logic" out of his name for thinking his friend = the world.

TheRealHeisenberg4157d ago

On my friends list I'm the only one that has +. All of them know what it is but they are hesitant to sign up for it. I've told those that have asked about the value that I get out of it. I'll never get Live Gold again unless they start giving away "freebies" like + does.

LOGICWINS4157d ago (Edited 4157d ago )

I didn't say most gamers didn't want it. Nice try putting words in my mouth Strongman. I said nothing about "the world". I said most PS3 gamers don't want it. MOST PS3 owners aren't PS Plus members. FACT.

@guitarded- You criticize me for using my friend as a benchmark for all PS3 gamers(whom I was just using as an example, not a benchmark), but its okay for you to suggest that the gamers on the PS Blog/ur PSN friends list are indicative of mainstream PS3 owners? Hypocrisy?

SIdepocket4157d ago (Edited 4157d ago )

Well, you did say "most PS3 gamers don't know/care about PS Plus", and then used your friends as the primary example.

guitarded774157d ago

@ LOGIC

I wasn't criticizing you. I was simply pointing out your generalization and offering a comparison of other gamers who use the service. I agree that Sony needs to let more people know about the service... a commercial would be nice. I think you're too sensitive for real debate and open discussion. I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings, just trying to have a real discussion.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4157d ago
Nicaragua4157d ago

They should definitely bundle 6 months of PS+ subscription in with every new PS3, Vita, and eventually PS4. that way every new playstation customer would have some form of exposure to it from the start.

Godchild10204157d ago

They offer a month and most recently 3 months (Black Friday) and now a year for the 3G model of the Vita.

I think a month is more than enough time to learn about plus, use it and know if its for you or not.

sway_z4157d ago (Edited 4157d ago )

No 6 months is too long! PS+ is a business, not a charity.

90 days should be the limit to free trials. I want Sony to make money from PS+ so they can improve the service going fwd.

MS makes 100's of millions each year from Gold members...Sony need that kind of additional revenue.

Sony need to promote PSN, PS+ and PS Home to the casual audience more so than the core.

I personally know girls (real girls, yes REAL! not shemale avatars lol) who have bought a 12GB PS3 on the cheap just to use PS Home and things like TV catch up and music video services. This type of user does not necessarily purchase PS3 for its games, but more it's social aspect.

MikeMyers4157d ago (Edited 4157d ago )

Actually, they are advertising it more. I've noticed it more and more lately and they also announced the partnership with Vita which adds even more value to the service.

It's become part of the bundle packages as well, just Like Microsoft does by offering a trial basis for Xbox Live Gold when you buy the system.

I do think it is a good service worth emulating because what Sony has done is keep the integral part of online multiplayer apart and differentiate themselves from Xbox Live by giving consumers a real choice. Microsoft integrates everything within Xbox Live so that consumers are virtually forced to pay for the service. It's a mock-up of what cable providers do and bundling channel packages and thus making certain channels as hostage. Want one channel? Sorry, you need to bundle it with 4 other channels. Now I'm not going to get into what's better but what I will say is I like having a choice.

Sephiroushin4157d ago

Most PS3 gamers have it, FACT (casuals aren't count they don't buy games at all anyways)!, Most PSN+ Subscribers are happy with their subscription, FACT!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4157d ago
josephayal4157d ago

I love free games, only on PS3

Rumplebumpkin4157d ago

You made the same comment in another article about PS+ a few weeks ago, give it a rest.

It's the way that subscription based services work.

Lvl_up_gamer4157d ago (Edited 4157d ago )

Actually MS have released free games on the 360 as well as free DLC.

Kinect Fun Labs: Mars Rover Landing
Kinect Playfit
Kinect Fun Labs: 5 Micro Lab Challenge (NEW)
Doritos Crash Course
Game Room
Harms Way
Hexic HD
Intel Discovered
Kinect Fun Labs - Kinect Rush: Snapshot
Kinect Fun Labs – Air Band
Kinect Fun Labs – Avatar Kinect
Kinect Fun Labs – Battle Stuff
Kinect Fun Labs - Bobble Head
Kinect Fun Labs - Build-A-Buddy
Kinect Fun Labs - Googly Eyes
Kinect Fun Labs – I Am Super
Kinect Fun Labs - Kinect Me
Kinect Fun Labs – Musical Feet
Kinect Fun Labs – Mutation Station
Voice Studio
TotemBall
Dash Of Destruction (may no longer be available unless its on a hard drive)
Aegis Wing
Happy Wars
Pinball FX2

Free DLC
Kinect Sports - Party Pack DLC
Rock Band 3 - Free DLC Pack 1
Red Dead Redemption - Outlaws to the End Co-Op Mission Pack
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter Title Update
The Godfather - Title Update + $50k In-Game Money
Kameo Elements of Power - Design-A-Skin Pack + Co-Op Pack (0 point achievements but still count as an achievement Won)
Project Gothic Racing 4 - Free challenge Pack DLC

I think there is more but got tired of researching. I think the point has been made.

So you are wrong. Free games (and content) is NOT just on the PS3.

jjb19814157d ago

Those are the worst examples ever, I hope you didn't take more than 30 seconds to compile that list.

ALLWRONG4157d ago

Well, if he stopped paying for Live, at least he gets to keep the games.

Hicken4157d ago

... first of all, you took josephayal seriously.

Don't.

Second: a list full of Kinect games? Which are useless to the 50-55 million 360 owners out there with no Kinect?

Third: aren't the Red Dead, Ghost Recon, and Rock Band DLC packs available on PS3 as well? I at least recall paying nothing for Outlaws to the End.

Fourth: you took josephayal seriously.

C'mon, man.

Lvl_up_gamer4155d ago (Edited 4155d ago )

@ Hicken

First of all Josephayal didn't state he was not being serious so why wouldn't anyone assume he is?

Second, why does it matter if it's "kinect" games? They are still "games" which are found on the 360 given away for free by MS. The topic that Josephayal created was that free games are ONLY found on the PS3. It doesn't matter if they are Kinect games, Arcade games or retail games. They are still "games". Your rationality is very ignorant for you to pick and choose what games are classified as games.

Third, It's doesn't matter if games or DLC are also available for free on other systems. Point is, is that MS ALSO have them for free as well. Nothing was stated as "exclusive only". It still amazes me that people like you have an issue believing multiplat games are still games.

Doritos Crash Course
Game Room
Harms Way
Hexic HD
Intel Discovered
Voice Studio
TotemBall
Dash Of Destruction (may no longer be available unless its on a hard drive)
Aegis Wing
Happy Wars
Pinball FX2

Are all NOT Kinect games...so your argument holds no water.

Fourth, you already said not to take Josephayal seriously so technically this is not a fourth, it's just a regurgitated comment you already made.

Stop being so narrow minded and think only games on systems YOU like only count as games in a conversation about games.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4155d ago
Pillsbury14157d ago

Who wouldn't want free games ? Happy ps plus customer. Long live play.

Neo-Axl4157d ago

Put it this way, my friends who are getting a PS3 this christmas, are getting a PS+ card from me.. which means they are getting 10 free games immediatley on christmas day.

PS+ is the best thing to happen to PSN, if your avoiding it, Your a fool.

Godchild10204157d ago (Edited 4157d ago )

Isn't it more like 12, 18 if they have a Vita as well as a PS3? That is a nice gift to give someone. I did that as well, gave my nephew a month of plus and a 16 GB memory card for his Vita. If he likes plus, he will get his mother to pay for a year.

That is a wonderful gift @ Neo-Axl.

Neo-Axl4157d ago

I think so dude, But these guys are brand new to the PS3 scenario, So I'll be giving them something to kick off on a good start, PS+ with MGS4, UC2 & Killzone collection.

That's an alright gift for my two best friends isn't it?

Neo-Axl4157d ago

Haha! I'm not the one buying the games man, just the PS+ card :P

Show all comments (45)
80°

Rolling the Dice: Do Modern RPGs Miss the Point of Team-Based Play?

It seems it was long time ago. A bunch of friends spending hours on end playing RPG games, sitting around the table with the box of cold pizza. Excited about the story, listening to the Game Master, they were completely engaged in the worlds only visible to them and their imaginations.

Read Full Story >>
gameskinny.com
Takwin2619d ago

The GM is the programmer, and in MMOs and co-ops, you can play with others. If you want to ONLY use your imagination for the visuals, read a book.

210°

Record of Agarest War 2 announced for PS3

Scrawl: "Looks like we know how that new Compile Heart countdown is going to end. The latest issue of Famitsu has confirmed that Agarest Senki 2, known as Record of Agarest War 2 in the US, is Compile Heart’s newest title."

Read Full Story >>
scrawlfx.com
Godmars2905064d ago

1) Hope they put it on disc this time.
2) Hope this is a positive for Neptune coming over as well.

Demons Souls5064d ago

If so, that's being developed & published by Idea Factory. Compile Heart has nothing to do with it (Thank God for that).

Godmars2905064d ago (Edited 5064d ago )

Thought Compile Heart was one of the companies lending characters.

Was also speaking in general as in regards to a US of Neptune. If these guys are offing a second game, NIS or Atlus, both of whom offer quirkier titles, will put that one out.

@kagon01:
My issue isn't - wholly - with the DL-only option, but the price. The first game should be $30. Maybe $40, and by that I mean $39.99. The only reason its $45 is the 360 disc version which has extras. Nevermind that by all rights its a PS2 game. Something that proabbly could have been done if the devs had the GOW2 engine or tools.

ClownBelt5064d ago

I approve of this god damn message.

Could have gotten my 60 bucks if they just put it on a disc.

5064d ago Replies(1)
Tripl3seis5064d ago

Another exclusive damnn the ps3 keeps on rollin wit games awesome ;)

Jack-Pyro5064d ago

Is this a half decent SRPG, porn aside, cause if it is, i might just decide to go and buy it for the 360.

Anon73495064d ago

There's no porn just some sexual innuendos but that's it.

Also it is a great game by itself, maybe not graphically but everything else is top tier.

RedDevils5063d ago

so it had some kind of "top tier" porn story jk

ThanatosDMC5064d ago

Yup, it's a decent game. I just hate that a move has to go first before any attack options.

Show all comments (33)
120°

Bless Online Korean MMORPG Gets Server Merge

This is not the first time that Bless Online receives a server merge in Korea. An announcement was made on the official Korean site.

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mmoexaminer.com
2655d ago
Bismarn2654d ago

Bless must be an amazing game to be on all these platforms (according to the tags): iPad iPhone Nintendo DS PC PS Vita PS2 PS3 PS4 PSP Wii Wii U Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox One