180°

Why are people complaining about PSPlus being required for online play?

Digitally Downloaded writes: "In the fallout from E3, I've observed a weird little wave of discontent gain momentum on the social wires (ok, Twitter and Facebook). It seems that people just had to dig through Sony's E3 show, that two hour-long master class in marketing brilliance, and find something to complain about.

What they've picked up on is the fact that with the PlayStation 4, if you want to play online and use those expensive servers that Sony spends the GDP of your typical African nation on maintaining each year, you're going to need to buy PlayStation Plus."

Read Full Story >>
digitallydownloaded.net
T9003967d ago

"What they've picked up on is the fact that with the PlayStation 4, if you want to play online and use those expensive servers that Sony spends the GDP of your typical African nation on maintaining each year, you're going to need to buy PlayStation Plus"

Well how come there are no charges to play online on the PC then?

Sony charging for online pay is a definite step backward, no amount of good reasons for PS+ can justify having online play only limited to PS+. PS+ may work for some, for others they simply may not want it. Its kind of become mandatory now to have PS+ since online is such a large component of games these days. Its almost like Sony shoving PS+ down people throats.

Server maintenance charges is no excuse if that was the case we would have been paying online charges on the PC a long time ago.

MysticStrummer3967d ago

I think it's as simple as this : Sony added a lot of new social features to the PS4. They won't require devs to implement them, just like devs weren't required to implement custom soundtracks on PS3, but they don't want their PS4 product development money to go to waste. By requiring PS+ to play online they offset development and maintenance costs and ensure that developers will implement PS4's social features into their games.

Personally I think they should have allowed basic online play for free but reserved all those social features, including cross game chat, for PS+ members. I think they'd have gotten a lot of new PS+ members that way too.

xHeavYx3967d ago

At least with PS4 you don't need to pay to use apps like Netflix, also, by paying you get free quality games, didn't they announce Drive Club and 3 indie games?
People complaining are just M$ fanboys who need to take credit away from all the good things Sony is doing, that way they will feel better when, for some reason, they can't check in online after 24 hours and are stuck with a $500 brick

Army_of_Darkness3967d ago (Edited 3967d ago )

It's just annoying how the main cry babies to all this is pc fanboys?! LOL! why are y'all even complaining if your not gonna get a ps4 to begin with??
as for xbox owners, I don't see any reason for them to talk shit either cause they had to pay for online everything for the last 8 years LOL!
The difference here is that we get way more on ps+ then just multiplayer ;-)

shoddy3967d ago

Just give plus a try yesterday.
That cloud storage and auto update is very convenient

darthv723966d ago

and say that gaming on the PC is not as regulated or controlled as on a console. There are too many variables to try and restrict and enforce some sort of pay wall when it comes to PC gaming.

Now you can have the specific games like WOW or other MMO's that people say they dont mind paying for if the experience warrants such a fee.

But for the most part, PC games can be hosted by individuals if need be. I cant say what its like currently but i remember back in the day of playing counter strike, you would just search for a game and play.

There were some game/types that were reserved for members of specific clans and others that were free for all but that was at the discretion of the host. console gaming is more closed in nature. so therefore it is more regulated and controlled.

Sony more than likely wanted to charge for PSN but if you look at the service when it began, they knew they couldnt. Not with how it compared to the system that live used. In many ways it was like comparing AOL to just straight internet access.

AOL gave that impression of community and convenience. something people were willing to pay for because it took the difficulty of figuring out things like where to sign up for email or how to buy something online. It gave people the simplistic functions they wanted.

Now AOL is a shell of its former self but that is because the conveniences it provided, were becoming easier to find and use outside of its community.

Unlike AOL....PSN and Live do continue to evolve and are bringing with that evolution the conveniences that people want. Making the idea of being a member more attractive. That and they give away games as part of being a member.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3966d ago
Genuine-User3967d ago

Could you tell me why there are no charges to play online on PC?
Maybe your answer to my question will answer your question as to why Sony needs our support.

aquamala3967d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

it's an open platform, who would you even pay the fee to on PC? Steam? each game? nobody on PC has to pay for cloud saves or automatic updates either.

Genuine-User3966d ago

At aquamala, that is exactly why I posed the question. PC is an open platform which requires no such fee to play online multiplayer.
Sony is a closed platform which requires users to fund their online infrastraucture.
If users don't support sony, they won't be able to give us a premium experience.

Cha0tik3967d ago

People need to stop expecting everything Sony to be handed to them. They are trying to provide a premium service with many social and cloud gaming features. In order to do this... THEY NEED MONEY SO THEY WON'T HAVE TO FOCUS ON SAVING AND STICKING TO A BUDGET! They will still have free online play for PS3 and Vita but if you want to enjoy everything that is PS4 then just pay for it. I mean PS+ pays for itself due to all the free games and features. I mean they are giving a cheaper console and allowing you to use used games. Don't complain when they are just trying to provide a better service by adding a small fee per month to that price tag. If it's a problem then don't play online.

mandf3967d ago (Edited 3967d ago )

Paying for online sucks in my mind and I'm not for it. But pc is open platform where as a console is solely owned and ran by said company. Totally 2 different concepts and rules. The thing is all apps, f2p games, and features can be used without psn+. Only online play is affected. Psn+ didn't need online play and I would still buy it. I highly recommend it to anyone switching to ps4.

Sony said they will invest the money that we spend on making things better and expanded content. It they do that which I have no reason not to, How is that bad? I spent $50 dollars to get game after game for free. Quality games too. Now the multiplayer is thrown in. I personally don't lose. Some will. $50 bucks is $50 bucks. It worth means different to all of us. Saying all that I still hate it, but for me it means nothing because psn+ is money in the bank for me.

SJPFTW3967d ago

Just a week ago the fanboys were bashing having to pay for XBOX live to access online play, now Sony is doing it then somehow it is still okay?

Don't care what PSPlus comes with 'free' games the point is making people pay extra to access features of a game YOU PAYED FULL PRICE for is a**hole move.

PSPlus was a good when it was a choice, now it is just being forced on you. I loved how Sony glossed over it quickly in the E3 Presentation because they know it is just a money grab.

Joe9133966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

There are huge points that makes plus and xbox live different first multiplayer only for plus to me this is where xbox mess up making ppl pay to use netflix when they already pay for internet and netflix already. Second you don’t care that ps+ get free game well that’s you and that means you are missing the whole point I spent 100 bucks on plus so far and have about that many games from plus and I don’t download all the free stuff I just pick out the ones I always wanted but did not buy if you count my minis, ps vita, and ps one games I have well over 100 games hell the problem becomes when do I have time to play all this lol. What do you get with xbox live that you don’t get on ps+. If they gave you stuff then I would see it worth it but xbox fanboys pay to play they games online and to watch netflix and or hulu that’s a rip off. I would understand more if they gave a discount for those services but they don’t do that either. The real reason why I think they are doing this because Gaiki and the all access I was worried the all access would be another charge on top of ps plus but I think they are doing this so we can have access to all our ps3 games on the ps4 and vita plus we can still stream them to the ps3 so we can save disc space.

InTheLab3967d ago (Edited 3967d ago )

If we were talking about XBL a week ago, you'd have 200 agrees. Now that there's no choice, we're making excuses for a terrible decision.

This fragments your base. Instead of the occasional dead lobbies, now most of the lobbies will be empty for quite sometime.

I also believe free online is the reason why the PS3 caught and overcame the 360 in WW sales.

Gaming online should be free no matter the system.

Corpser3967d ago

Fact is 360 was the only platform you have to pay to play online multiplayer, now PS4 joins that list. These are not the only 2 platforms. WiiU, PC, android, apple, nobody else has to pay a fee to play online multiplayer

Joe9133966d ago

You do for Ios and adroid its called a phone bill because if you did not pay that you could not get online lol. @ inthelab the reason ppl hate on the xbox pay to play is because you get nothing for it you paying for services you already pay for thats it if ps+ wasnt giving away games I bet ppl would look at it in the same way at least I would.

Corpser3966d ago

@joe

the data plan on your phone is just like your broadband plan

You don't pay extra to play online multiplayer on iOS or android

InTheLab3966d ago

@ Joe

I'm already paying full price for the game and I'm paying my ISP.

It's literally the same thing I've been bitching about for the last 10 years on Xbox. Yeah...you make your money back through free games but there's zero guarantee that Sony will to pump out Sleeping Dogs/Deus Ex HR caliber freebees...and then what?

MYSTERIO3603966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

In my honest opinion paying for plus+ next gen is well within the realms of being reasonable.

With XBlive, gold customers were forced to adhere to a service which only gave them access to free apps, cross game chat, internet and online play.

With Sony's online proposition they are offering all the existing benefits of PS+ (Free games, Betas, theme discounts)which means you automatically get your moneys worth i.e. free Driveclub day 1. But you also gain access to PPV events streaming, exclusive episodic and music content, access to online streaming and instant play via Gaikai as well as all the other social features available.

Also subscription based movie apps i.e Netflix will remain free of charge and will not be part of the PS+ membership.

I for one will definitely be continuing my PS+ membership for the PS4.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3966d ago
EasilyTheBest3967d ago

I don't blame Sony for charging for online the thing I find funny how its suddenly fine to pay for online by most Sony fans.
They try and justify it by saying they get free games or worse it don't matter because they are already paying for PSN plus.

lol you can't make it up.

P_Bomb3967d ago (Edited 3967d ago )

Make what up? I *am* already paying for plus. Is the correct answer "I'm not"?

Heck, I just won another free 30 day code on ps home yesterday in the E3 booth. I'm...sorry lol?

matgrowcott3967d ago (Edited 3967d ago )

Right, but what would your reaction be if I said I was already paying for Xbox Live so that I can use party chat with family so it doesn't matter that I have to pay to play online?

Whatever else is included in the price, you're still paying for something that should be free. You're already paying for the net, you've already paid for the game.

Necessary? Maybe. Unlikely to affect many core Sony fans? Certainly. That's not where the issue is though.

kneon3967d ago

"what would your reaction be if I said I was already paying for Xbox Live so that I can use party chat with family"

I would have said you're getting ripped off.

matgrowcott3966d ago

@kneon

Thanks for proving my point.

Majin-vegeta3967d ago

Funny thing is not everything is locked behind the PS+ wall.I can still watch my netflix,Hulu etc...without it.Also some games will be free to play online without it. E.G.DCU and Warframe.

Joe9133966d ago

And they also said the free to play games like DCU will not require ps+

MysticStrummer3967d ago

"They try and justify it by saying they get free games or worse it don't matter because they are already paying for PSN plus."

I'm not real clear on why those aren't valid justifications. You get so much free stuff, the value is much greater than the price, and if you're already a PS+ member and loving it, why would you stop?

creatchee3967d ago

They aren't validations because at the end of the day, somebody who wants to play the multiplayer portion of a game that they have already purchased has to pay an additional $50 a year in order to access said multiplayer portion. Benefits are great, but they do not justify paying for online multiplayer if that is what your primary motivation is.

MysticStrummer3967d ago

Justifications vary from person to person. I don't think you can say those aren't valid justifications, except for yourself.

DARK WITNESS3967d ago (Edited 3967d ago )

I think the point is that as long as you are paying for it then it's not really free. Which you could say is kind of true.

The thing is though if you really look at it honestly it's hard to take it as a negative when you compare it to xbox live.

I have been an xbox live member for 8 years. The only feature that made the service worth the money I was paying was the party chat feature. Most premium services that you pay for at least take the adds away... not xbox live though.

it's just a shame because it's the only thing there really is to complain about and online gaming has been free for so long. At the same time considering how far sony got without having to charge for playing online they have still done a better job.

8 years on live and all I got was 20 ms points for my birthday

Mr_Writer853967d ago (Edited 3967d ago )

How are they not valid?

Anyone who is a gamer wants to play games.

Sony give you those games for one price. Ok so you spend $50 on a new game. And then pay another $50 for plus, in order to play online.

You then get 12 games over 12 months. Law of averages says there will be one game you planned to get, and a game you didn't plan to buy but try and enjoy.

THAT is why it's more value then Live.

12 games a year for $50 >>>>>> cross game chat.

And you can get a PS4 and TWO years of plus (that's 24 games over 2 years) for the price of an XboxOne alone.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3967d ago
JoGam3967d ago

You can't say that's its suddenly fine to pay for online in a article that says why are people complaining. I mean, is it fine or are we complaining? Do you really know the answer to that or are you just trolling?

Karpetburnz3966d ago

Exactly, no one is saying its fine, Xbox fanboys assume we are ok with it, which isn't true, I'm not happy about it at all.

But there's nothing we can do about it, we can't jump ship to Xbox, because they're doing the same thing but much worse. So you have to weigh in the cons for both consoles and so far PS4 is still a much more consumer friendly console.

Basicly we have to look at the positive side of things, with PS+ we get a ton of free games and discounts, so overall we are getting back more than we pay, this is not me trying to justify it, I'm just looking at the positives because there no point on dwelling on the negatives.

TongkatAli3967d ago (Edited 3967d ago )

PS + gives free games more then triple the amount you paid and Xbox live is $60 and no free games. Are you serious ? Childs play, you guys have nothing and never had a good argument.

"Hypocrites"' sureeeeee, keep on embrassing yourselves.

ded10203967d ago

Xbox is infact rolling out free games as of e3. Halo 3 and AC2 were announced. I'm not sure if its tied to old or not, they just said "here are 2 free games" but I assume this is the snowball slowly picking up pace to match ps+

creeping judas3967d ago

We pay $50 for PS+ in order to get free games. The reality of it is they aren't free games. If we got the same amount of free games without PS+, then yeah you could say they are free games. But paying to get free games is a bit of a contradiction in terms.

Mr_Writer853966d ago

@ded they are giving 2 free games away until November.

After that no more free games.

Karpetburnz3966d ago

Dude, I'm just as upset about forced online fees as the next guy, but what the hell are we supposed to do? Just boycott the PS4? That would be stupid since the Xbox One is doing the same thing but WORSE since you can't use your "free" media apps if you dont have XBL gold. Not to mention the used games DRM.

Sony fans aren't trying to Justify it, most the harcore Sony fans on this Site have probably already got PS+, so its no skin off their nose, as for the people who dont, we know we have to just accept it and move on. The last people who should be talking crap is the Xbox fanboys since they're the ones who have been supporting online fees from the start.

badz1493966d ago

but there is a critical difference between PS+ and XBL Gold!

granted that both are mandatory for online play on PS4 and XBone, would you not play online after you pay for XBL Gold? no, because that would be utterly stupid, right? you pay because you want to play online and that's it, nothing more!

however, would someone paying for PS+ suffer a similar loss after paying but not playing online? I don't think so, because PS+ gives you games after games after games for free every month! XBL Gold don't do that thus making PS+ in the league of its own in terms of value - nothing else comes close!

one2thr3966d ago (Edited 3966d ago )

@Easy
Dude MS fans were paying for CROSS GAME CHAT, that was the only real difference between PSN and XBL...

And I find it funny that people aren't mentioning the fact that Sony is aiming for THE FASTEST GAMING NETWORK avialible, and having GaiKai stream demos/games and being able to play them while there downloading COST MONEY to maintain and heck, PS+ has proven to be WELL worth $60 and it gives the consumer 2 or more games a month on ALL PlayStation platforms...

So why would any sane PlayStation vet would complain about having to dish out $60 when, they're getting more than what their spending?... (Coming from a guy, that loves to play for free)

Heck I had PS+, the only reason why I havent renew my subscription is that I missed the last deal they had with 3 free months of PS+ on top of the year. Now Im waiting until that deal comes back around...

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3966d ago
clarkdef3967d ago

Most of the time multiplayer is peer to peer, why pay for something when you are not going through sonys servers? On the other hand ps+ is awesome, I can't find the time to play all the games they hand out. Though that model works for them too because of game exposure and thus increased dlc sales, I mean after going through batman, how can you not go and get all the dlc?

I don't like the paid online, but at the same time they have cleverly made me accustomed to paying it, by using the tactic "progressive overload" they are a business. Let's never forget that and they have played things masterfully.

Unlike MS which has just thrown the dog out in the cold.

Bowzabub3967d ago

JT already confirmed that the online subs will go toward improving the infrastructure, so I'm all for it. I had every intention on remaining a member of PS+ anyhow. I think most people that are shying away are very uninformed. If it truly was JUST to play online, then I'd have a problem.

Software_Lover3967d ago

Because it's required for online play.

Show all comments (63)
50°

How to recruit Lam in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Lam is among the 120 characters available for recruitment in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. While she is one of the many straightforward recruits, a known bug may prevent players from recruiting her if certain conditions are met. Despite developers’ assurances of fixing the bug, some early access players still encounter issues with recruiting Lam despite attempting the standard method.

Read Full Story >>
infinitestart.com
300°

Tomb Raider Remastered just quietly censored one in-game detail

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered players are ticked off by the game’s most recent patch, which censors in-game pin-up posters of Lara Croft.

Read Full Story >>
gamingbible.com
rlow110h ago

This is why gaming is screwed. When people change things to fit someone’s agenda, it’s a slippery slope downhill.

Christopher9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

Even if that agenda is of the developer? Way to remove developer rights.

***One player called it a “huge problem with modern games,” saying they can now be “ruined AFTER people buy them”.***

The level of drama. Yes, I recall sitting there for more hours than I did anything else in the game. These two pinups are the core of the game, after all!

coolbeans8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

rlow1's cringe catastrophizing aside, I do think developers *ought* to strive to maintain an original work to the best of their ability. The language of a "remaster" tacitly implies that - for good or ill - what's being resold is what fans remember but better.

Profchaos8h ago

Games can be ruined after purchasing them yeah we know this not from this but from GTA IV which had half it's radio content patched out due to licensing expirations and to me that was a huge deal.

This pin up poster is a bit of nonsense but the whole argument of modern games can be ruined post launch is Absol true.

DedicatedDark6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

It's not their work to censor. They are incharge of restoration & remastering the work, not overwriting it.

Barlos5h ago

It's not the agenda of the developer though, they're pandering and trying to increase their ESG score.

Way to support censorship...

victorMaje5h ago

It’s not the end of the world for sure, but I understand the hate towards this kind of change. I believe it’s also a matter of principle.

Imagine a Picasso painting being restored & the restorer deciding there aren’t enough strokes, or some lines aren’t straight enough or curved enough…not sure it would/should sit well with people.

Have all original devs signed off on this change? Even if it’s the case, are we saying older gamers are better mentally equipped to process what was there than current gamers, hence the change?

Enough time ago the case was made that games are an art form. We’re supposed to have won that case.
So which is it? Are games art or not?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5h ago
Eidolon6h ago

Hasn't this been happened for over a decade since remasters? I can't see that it's any worse now. Maybe if Sweet Baby starts getting their hands on remasters we will definitely have a problem.

Rebel_Scum8h ago

tbh I dont see something like this as censorship. Does anyone else not find it strange for someone to stick pin ups of themsleves in a locker room?

Now of it was a pin up of some half naked firefighters it might make sense as Lara might like that, and if they removed that I would cry censorship. But removing pin ups of the main character, yeah I get it.

Barlos5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

It's a game, and they were placed there for the audience. It's not real life. If it was, she wouldn't have fought a T-Rex now would she?

Yes, it's censorship but it's a bit less in your face. If they were in the original game, then they should have been in the remasters. It's bad enough that they have that ridiculous unnecessary warning at the start, but then they start removing things post launch. I don't care how small the change, they shouldn't be doing it. It's nothing but ESG pandering but in a subtle way.

Rebel_Scum4h ago

Look bro, if you have pictures of yourself naked on a bear skin rug up in your house let me tell you, its not normal.

jambola3h ago

I wasn't aware censorship was based on what made sense to you

Rebel_Scum3h ago

Likewise, what a stupid comment.

jambola3h ago

I agree
Your comment was pretty stupid

Rebel_Scum2h ago

I never said censorship is based on what I say dumbass. Just because I dont see this as censorship doesnt mean I’m saying others cant.

How about you come at me with your opinion rather than snarky comments with no thought on the matter.

SimpleDad5h ago

By the year 2030, this remaster collection will totally be changed and censored. Probably will remove Lara as a playable character. It's ridiculous. Glad that my family didn't buy this.
I still have Tomb Raider 2 PS1 as a memory.

jambola3h ago

Those shorts are a little revealing
Should probably make them snow pants

Barlos3h ago

They'll probably make her trans

CobraKai4h ago

It’s mentioned in the article, and it’s a point i 100% agree with, it’s the fact that they can censor a game after you buy it. That’s total bullshit.

Killer2020UK4h ago

Whilst it's an overreaction to say this has "ruined" the game, it's still problematic that this has happened post launch and for many, post-purchase.

I don't want someone to change a product for the worse after I've bought it. The same goes for implementing micro transactions after reviews.

I wonder why they did this? Nobody was kicking up a fuss as far as I'm aware.

maykhausonninh4h ago

Nobody was kicking up a fuss as far as I'm aware.

Show all comments (26)
100°

Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster Review – You Are Your Job, Apparently

Gary Green said: In a time where an enhanced, 3D remake of Final Fantasy III already exists, it’s hard to argue that Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster is the definitive version we were expecting. With Final Fantasy III already being the last in the series to be translated and make its way west, this is something of a slap in the face for the fans. Still, let’s not be disheartened. There may be many shortfalls in this edition of Final Fantasy III, however there’s no denying that this classic JRPG still holds some nostalgic value, even if it struggles to break away from its original hardware limitations.

Read Full Story >>
pslegends.com
FACTUAL evidence9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

It’s funny I’m seeing these articles about pixel remaster, and I just platinumed 1-4 within 8 days lol. I’ve been on FF5 for about a week now. Let’s just say 5 was the start of FF having content like crazy. I should have the plat within 2-3 days.

MrBaskerville1h ago

The game being an accurate represantation of the original was not a slap in the face to the fans. The 3D remasters looked like ass (visually) tbh.