360°

Sony To Offer Free Monthly Updates Instead of Paid DLC for DCUO

President of Sony Online Entertainment John Smedley said that if you decide to play DC Universe Online, you won't have to worry about any additional costs besides your regular monthly fee.

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techland.time.com
Myst5259d ago

I see Sony is making all the right moves as of late for this game. May have to pick this up as I did enjoy the beta..

Commander_TK5259d ago

I hope u meant "Sony" as in "Sony Online Entertainment", and not "Sony" as in "Sony Computer Entertainment".

MintBerryCrunch5259d ago (Edited 5259d ago )

and your point is? SOE is owned by Sony Pictures Digital and SCEA

Jihaad_cpt5259d ago

Well it's all owned by Sony Corporation = Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony Online Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Sony BMG, Sony Financial Services, Sony Electronics, Sony Ericsson (50%)

Myst5259d ago

The other two have stated it best before I could. Big corporations despite having separate branches are still a part of the bigger one. So either way all due still gets paid to the one.

Ratchet5105259d ago

SONY is all of SONY same shit.

visualb5259d ago (Edited 5259d ago )

no...He meant Sony, as in "SONY"

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5259d ago
Raoh5259d ago

SOE is now a part of the playstation brand. it, vaio and errickson got merged into one department.

Graphics5259d ago

How is it free when we pay a fee? Thats what mmo subscriptions are for..

Pillage055259d ago

@graphics
Games like WOW have paid expansions as well as the monthly fee like the recently released cataclysm. The fee generally goes to server maintenance...general updates to engine/gameplay updates/balancing, and keeping hackers/bots out. I think they're just saying no big paid add-ons. Most likely they'll be putting in more frequent but smaller add-ons. New quests, maybe new areas.

DeadlyFire5258d ago

If you pay a monthly fee why would you want to ever buy DLC on top of that? A waste to pay for such a thing.

30sec5259d ago

It's getting harder and harder to resist this game. The beta was an absolute blast.

DirtyLary5259d ago

Do it. You wont regret it. This game is a fresh reset to the standard mmos.

jut4205259d ago

Couldn't have said it better myself. I've never played an MMO before, but the constant praising of this game is making me want to at least try it out

joydestroy5259d ago

i'm with you dude. each time i see an article about it on n4g, guys are saying it's a lot of fun.

Clarence5259d ago

Pick it up. You want be sorry. Plus the first 30 days are free.

Kewl_Kat5259d ago

You're not helping my wallet!

PostApocalyptic5259d ago

Just remember this, joining a pvp server just expands the action aspect of the game. But be warned, you will get ganked since the pvp is more open and the game forces you to do missions in the same areas as opposing pvp players.

It takes longer to complete missions -- you will die a lot -- so don't get frustrated. But still, it's fun and forces you to learn how to fight. :)

I joined a pvp server for this reason. I should have done the same for WoW four years ago.

For a more casual experience, join a PvE server.

Clarence5259d ago

Thats great information for people to know. PvP makes you feel like your actually in a world were anything came happen. Definitely do PvP if you want a more action pack game experience.

Delive5259d ago

What I'm waiting to see is after the free 30 days, who is going to continue to pay? I'm playing the heck out of it now in hops to Plat it in 30 days. Then if the "FREE" content does not warrant $15 extra dollars, I'll cancel the sub till they go free to play.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5259d ago
Wh15ky5259d ago

Is this game really that good? I mean is it worth £34.99 to buy then £9.99 a month to play? I would hate to see this become the norm.

Killzoned5259d ago

When you buy the game, are you given any free days to play before you make your first payments to continue playing. For example 15-30 days trial? that comes along with the game

evrfighter5259d ago (Edited 5259d ago )

thom is right...This has been the norm for years now. I'm kinda surprised by the statement however. Were they considering charging a monthly and paid DLC to top it off?

That is nowhere near the norm. Sony would have failed horribly had they decided to go that route. Just considering it doesn't make them look too good.

@Sj
an expansion pack and DLC are completely different. An expansion pack can be bought retail and have quite a bit of content not to mention they are usually released every other year after vanilla game launch...go look up what DLC means and try again.

what you're thinking of is a cash shop. To have to pay for a sub and STILL have a cash shop in many pc gamers eyes is considered a rip off. Not the norm.

sjaakiejj5259d ago

@evrfighter

Actually, that is kind of the norm, or did you miss the million expansion packs that have released for World of Warcraft, (or any other big name MMO for that matter)? Those expansion packs are essentially DLC.

Wh15ky5259d ago (Edited 5259d ago )

I've never played an MMO, are they worth the money? and why are they so expensive?

Edit:
Thanks for the response Dac2u.

Dac2u5259d ago (Edited 5259d ago )

There are now 17 expansions for Everquest, also made by SOE. I expect they'll give away some free DLC, but how long until the first paid expansion?

@Wh15ky:
Depends on what you're willing to pay for, I've never had a problem paying a monthly fee for a game like UO, WoW, Shadowbane, or Everquest. In general, there's enough content to keep you playing for hours every single day for months. Whereas, many games these days give you 5-10 hours at $60 and you're done playing them. It costs a lot to keep a game running plus, most devs are pretty good about adding new content at no additional cost.

ezcex5259d ago

Are you sure you're not confusing patches with expansions. There have only been 3 expansions for WoW so far. The Burning Crusade, Wrath of The Litch King and Cataclysm. I see 3, not millions. 3 expansions since 2004.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5259d ago
Killzoned5259d ago

I wanna buy this game but am unsure at the moment, Since the PS3 and PC version aren't really cross platform. I mean which version will have more players?
How many players can fit into a single server?

Kon5259d ago

Choose the PS3 version. We need to have more MMO on consoles.

Show all comments (69)
170°

Sony Aims To Sell 15 Million PS5 Units This Year, but Is Shifting Focus to Monthly Active Users

Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki and CFO Lin Tao talked about the state of the PlayStation business and the strategy and targets going forward, including how they're responding to the tariffs.

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simulationdaily.com
1Victor30d ago

I wonder how the USA tariffs war will affect that projection. 🤔

S2Killinit30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

I think they take that into consideration when they announce their projections. Currently, after the xbox price increase, the PRO is cheaper than the series x! That is ridiculous, and it can’t last.

darthv7230d ago

you keep saying that but the price of a PS5 Pro is S699.99 (US) and the price of a Series X is $599.99 (US)

S2Killinit30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

The series x with 2 TB storage space is more expensive than PS5 PRO which also has 2 TB storage space.

darthv7230d ago (Edited 30d ago )

Oh so you are pitting a regular Pro with a special edition X... got it. If you are going so far as trying to compare apples to apples... please add in the optical drive and stand to the Pro. Seeing as the X has both of those by default.

I will help you if you are unable to do so.
PS5 Pro 2tb: $699.99, Optical Drive: $79.99, Stand: $29.99 = $809.97
Xbox Series X Galaxy Black Special Edition 2TB: $729.99

30d ago
S2Killinit29d ago (Edited 29d ago )

The PS5 PRO has 2TB storage. The series X with 2TB storage and much weaker, is… more expensive! So yeah, Im pointing out that fact.

Also, the PRO does not require a stand.

Ps: regular series 2TB is $749 (where did u get 729?)

darthv7229d ago

Its right here on the official XB site: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

Okay, so no stand for the Pro, but you might still want the optical drive. So $779.98 vs $729.99. A properly outfitted Pro is still more $$ than a 2tb X.

S2Killinit28d ago (Edited 28d ago )

Do I need to mention that the series x is not nearly as powerful as the PS5 PRO?

And no, the PS5 PRO runs just fine without a drive, and people don’t have to buy the drive right away, assuming they want it.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 28d ago
drivxr30d ago

I wonder why they are shifting focus to MAU.

RaiderNation30d ago

Because that's where the real money is made, in microtransactions.

Profchaos30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

People are spending less time playing is a typical trigger for this.

The less time spent playing the less likely you are to spend more money on games and services including subs or even the next console.

Increased engagement equals more money.

30d ago
DarXyde29d ago

Same reason Microsoft does it: it looks better to investors and it's a solution when unit sales slow down.

Personally, I'm not a fan of this metric; and by using it, you're kind of signaling that you're moving into the "This is a PlayStation" era.

Z50129d ago

Because the PS4 also has users and not necessarily sales

Obscure_Observer27d ago

"I wonder why they are shifting focus to MAU."

Because they´d finally realized that MS wasn´t wrong after all.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 27d ago
30d ago
30d ago
310°

Sony Announces Large Profits Growth for PlayStation; Expects Further Wins in Current Fiscal Year

Sony announced its financial results for the fiscal year 2024, and things are certainly looking up, despite a decline in PS5 sales.

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simulationdaily.com
CrimsonWing6930d ago

Expect sh*t to slow down if prices aren’t kept in check.

Redgrave30d ago

Who downvotes the truth?

Even PSN itself is too damn high.jpg

S2Killinit30d ago

Gamepass is already at 20$ per month if im not mistaken.

toxic-inferno30d ago

@neutralgamer1992

Not all of us. I'm a big PlayStation fan, and have been since the PSOne. But I can't begin to defend what's happening currently.

At least Nintendo release a large number of games from their major franchises. Sony is just not banking on their established franchises, and yet are raising prices. Not great.

S2Killinit30d ago

Im pretty sure we are going to see a price increase for PRO. I mean think about it, its currently cheaper than xbox series x! That cannot last.

Eonjay30d ago

I'm absolutely sure we will not see a price increase. I don't think we should 'expect' to see price increase because it just adds validity to what Nintendo and Microsoft have done.

darthv7230d ago (Edited 30d ago )

Sorry to pop that bubble but the Pro is not cheaper than a series x... generally speaking (like you are). It is cheaper than one specific version, and doing so by not including the optical drive and stand like the X has by default.

So keep on trying to convince people you are right when everyone knows it's quite the opposite. A stock Pro is $699.99 and a stock X is $599.99. A special edition galactic black 2tb X is $729.99. And if you really want to compare apples to apples... adding the aforementioned optical drive and stand brings that Pro to $809.97 and then they would be on equal footing.

Twisting truths to fit a narrative... I expect better from you S2.

S2Killinit29d ago (Edited 29d ago )

The PS5 PRO has 2TB storage. And the series X with 2TB is more expensive. Which in my opinion is insane conseidering how much more powerful the PRO is. The PS5PRO does not need a stand, it can be used without a stand.

TheKingKratos30d ago

So the Pro is not offering any push in sales at all ?

CrashMania30d ago

It's still an expensive, niche product ultimately. And they exceeded their sales projections for units sold by half a million.

lawox30d ago

"18.5 million units have been shipped during the full fiscal year. This is actually ahead of the 18 million units target set by the company."

They beat their yearly estimate. It's not broken down by device, but it's clearly performing well enough. Since it's been released it's consistently been the second best selling SKU on Amazon only after the the Slim with disc.

30d ago
Bathyj30d ago

18 million a year is in the toilet?
I remember when 10 was considered good
Hell Microsoft would take that right now.
Probably pay $100b for it.

30d ago
BeHunted30d ago

If their profits fall next quarter, we'll probably see more price hikes. I can't imagine having to pay £20 a month for PlayStation Plus.

S2Killinit30d ago

I think gamepass is already paying that much.

30d ago
drivxr30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

Decline in hardware sales.
Behind on lifetime sales and decline in first party sales.
Third party content and PSN came through to save the day.
Things will improve starting with the next Ghost game.

Hopefully a steady flow of first party content by end of '25

rlow130d ago (Edited 30d ago )

I guess you get downvoted for stating facts from Sony’s own lips. What I’m curious about is what their top games of the year were and how much Xbox games contributed to the increase?

CrashMania30d ago

Well, generally 3rd party publisher games contribute the most anyway, so no different to capcom, EA and so on contributing to this figure.

lawox30d ago

That's because the report is actually really good.

They beat the console sales estimate that they set last year March, they have increased users both due to the record numbers of PS4 users and strong PS5 sales which is leading to great profits in sales and user spend.

This report is about the financial health of the PlayStation brand and as a platform PlayStation is stronger than ever. Heck they even have Microsoft putting their biggest franchises on the platform.

30d ago
S2Killinit29d ago (Edited 29d ago )

Well, the facts in the article are positive. Nothing wrong with his comment, but in my opinion it doesn't correctly indicate all the facts and nuances that give context to the reality of things. I downvoted for that only.

Make sense?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 29d ago
Lightning7730d ago

This is exactly what happened to Xbox year's ago. They had no first party and started seeing decline in 1st party sales, which effected their third party games which eventually effected their console sales. A slow decline across the board.

Calm down PS fans I'm not saying PS is becoming like old Xbox. I'm showing examples of the importance of first party output. Look how Xbox finally has compelling first party and things are on a up swing(despite years going on a downswing). I know thanks to PS releases which helps a ton, (which is why Xbox hardware only dropped 6% instead of 30+% like it usually does) The point still stands despite what Genz Trends may go, first party and compelling games sell hardware and software still. Sony's financial quarter is an example of this, of what lower First party output looks like.

No matter they'll be right back on track in due time any time especially with DS2 (not my type of game but I know many like it) and Yotei. They're not Xbox and let things get bad for so many years on end.

crazyCoconuts30d ago

"I'm showing examples of the importance of first party output. "
First party is mostly relevant for the sole purpose of creating EXCLUSIVES that are needed to stay competitive. With Xbox consoles collapsing and no more Xbox exclusives, first party is way less important. PlayStation as a platform now has free reign to profit without the high expense of needing exclusive first party titles.

red2tango30d ago

Sony has been very lazy with 1st party games compared to the PS4 era. And even the PS4 era was nothing compared to the PS3 era in terms of games.

S2Killinit29d ago (Edited 29d ago )

We have Ghost and Intergalactic coming. And then Marathon which is not exclusive to PlayStation. I think Covid and that chip shortage put a speedbump in game development because game manufacturers dont want even more risk that their game will arrive to too little hardware, but the games are starting to show up.

Lightning7730d ago

"With Xbox consoles collapsing and no more Xbox exclusives, first party is way less important."

Absolutely not. If that was the case then Nintendo would put Mario on Sega Genesis and Sonic on Super Nintendo. I know things are way different 30+ years later but not much has really changed in terms of exclusives and their impact on hardware. Especially early in the console life cycle.

Sony made all the money this quarter handover fist. Profits isn't a issue for them right now. I was just saying lower hardware sales and lower first party sales will hurt them or any console manufacturer of they don't have the compelling games in the long run. Just like it hurt Xbox. IF Sony keeps up not having lower first part output. Which we know they're not.

crazyCoconuts30d ago

Well no big exclusives in the last two years yet PS is doing great. What are people gonna do? Buy an Xbox?

S2Killinit29d ago

I agree with you. But they have had plenty of exclusives so far. Has it been ideal? Nope. I have a feeling we are seeing a resurgence with the effects of covid and that chip shortage now behind us.

Lightning7730d ago

No it's just like 360 where they had no games yet ppl still bought it because they sold ppl on the games early on that gen the fans were locked in and invested. They were riding the good will and was dubbed the shooter, racer box. The games dried up and they never recovered from it which hurt them in the long run. Same here with PS they still make the big bucks because they had games early on and the fans locked in and will continue to lock in for a little while longer despite lacking in first party.

S2Killinit29d ago (Edited 29d ago )

I agree. But the problem with xbox was that for some crazy reason MS thought game development wasnt all that important to a platform holder. They literally did not fund games with their own studios. When they lost marketshare they couldnt justify paying for exclusives with large install bases making it too expensive. That is not the scenario with PlayStation.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 29d ago
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150°

PS5 shipments top 77.8 million

PlayStation 5 has shipped 77.8 million units worldwide, Sony announced in its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

italiangamer30d ago

Perfectly in line to reach 100 million by March 2026.

Profchaos30d ago

Theys have to clear 22.2 million to do this.
When you average out the current number over 5 years it's unlikely.

If the console was going down in price it would be possible but they have not been able to reduce the cost in fact it's gone up so this is working against them.

gta Vi has also been pushed out of the financial year and there's likely millions of GTA v players still on ps5 that have not made the jump those players would for GTA vi

The overall poor market conditions and uncertainty doesn't fill me with confidence trade war, weak yen and the ongoing cost of living crisis. We're not talking core gamers picking up a new system were talking gamers who wait for the back 9 to enter a new generation.

I think 2027 they will but 100 not this year.

italiangamer30d ago

They will reach 100 million during 2026.

S2Killinit30d ago

It might actually get a boost considering that even the PS5 PRO is currently cheaper than the series x. This will of course be over soon as Im expecting a price hike for the PRO.

Travesty30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

I know Sony said they are considering raising prices.. Well as of yesterday China and the US lifted their tariffs standoff. At least for 90 days until they can agree on a trade deal that would benefit both parties. So with manufacturing in China and shipping them to the US I’m hoping it will not affect the prices.

Although I kind of doubt Sony will top 100 million since GTA 6 will be releasing next year by March. Could be wrong and I’ll be glad to be.

Xbox shooting itself in the foot or more like nailing their own coffin with rising prices. Hopefully Sony will stay put.. Ghost of Yotei is releasing for $70 still so that’s a god sign hopefully.

senorfartcushion30d ago

Is this a good thing for someone with no shares in Sony stock?

italiangamer30d ago

More PS5 on the market = higher chance of getting even more games.
It's not rocket science.

gold_drake30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

very nice.
in almost 5 years too.
some big hitters are yet to come

badz14930d ago (Edited 30d ago )

come on...don't say that! that slogan "Greatness Awaits" is haunting me everytime someone says this and yeah...1st party output has not been a highlight this gen which is a huge bummer! personally, I would rate their 1st party output this gen 4/10!

gold_drake30d ago

to be honest, when i typed it out, it did sound like a slogan for that ha