Why PS4's Social Features Probably Won't Be Free

Push Square: "The current goodwill surrounding the PlayStation 4 will almost certainly come to an end at some point. There comes a moment in every system’s build-up where the early enthusiasm is replaced by a wave of negativity. This onset of scepticism typically stems from the hardware in question’s price – or, in the PlayStation Vita’s case, the cost of its memory cards – but it almost always comes after a swell of world-beating positivity. Before long, the initial optimism is replaced by a chorus of cynicism, complaints, and the distant chant of a few loyal soldiers desperately trying to reassure everyone that everything’s going to be okay."

[xX-StolenSoul-Xx]

I suppose this makes sense. Since Sony has not mentioned if some of these social features are for premium members we'll obviously have to wait till more information which my guess would be at E3.

Yes the bandwidth of uploading these videos could be costly. If they did go this way where we would have to pay for some features I personally would not be completely against the idea. Yes Free is always good but as long as I get to keep playing my games multiplayer online components for free I'll be generally happy.

[Dark_Overlord]

"Yes the bandwidth of uploading these videos could be costly."

The only confirmed place for video uploads is facebook at the minute (That was the only one mentioned in the show), and due to the video being processed on the PS4 the only bandwith involved with uploading would be my own (that I pay for anyway), so I don't see how this could be costly to anyone? Unless they have capped limits

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

Only thing I need to be free is multiplayer and watching other people play.

I think those would be free.

I think streaming ur own shows will not be free.

[Mookie]

That share button would be useless...

[linkenski]

So next gen will totally be "pay to press on the buttons"

[supremacy]

The article makes a great point, now the question is. How would the PlayStation faithful feel/response to this?

Me personally i could care less, i already pay for plus as is, so as long as they offer compelling features, than i dont think many will care much.

[xX-StolenSoul-Xx]

I've been paying for plus early on release. I would not mind paying for something is It has real value. I'll have to try this stuff out before I can really decide if it's even worth paying for.

[MysticStrummer]

When they announced all the social stuff, I assumed much of it would only be usable by PS+ members. I think basic use of the Share button will be free though, as in uploading to YouTube. Some other basic social features will probably be free also.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

MMMMMM doubt it, I think most of playstation plus will concern "free games" and gaikai. I wouldn't put it past Sony to charge for some of the social features but not all. Espicially not cross gamechat.

[Muerte2494]

some of the social features are an integral part of PS4. It wouldn't make sense to have a dedicated chip to encode, if you wanted only a percentage of people to use this feature. As long as I don't require Plus to use Hulu Plus, Crunchyroll, play online, etc; I don't see this being a problem.