Sony Computer Entertainment UK boss Fergal Gera has explained why Sony decided why PS4 gamers will need PlayStation Plus in order to play online, as well as what drove Sony to build upon their premium subscription for the new console.
Speaking to Official PlayStation Magazine at E3 2013, Gera explained that the decision to make gamers pay for access to online multiplayer was something that Sony had to “agonise over for a very long time”. The deciding factors were primarily built around Sony wanting to “introduce the console at a healthy price-point compared with PS3,” and building a truly incredible premium service.
Gara, much like many gamers, recognised that the current version of PlayStation Plus is “a tremendously well-received service” that Sony saw as an “opportunity to extend” with the release of the PS4. He commented that the premium service, currently priced at £39.99 annually, offers “immense value for that subscription charge,” especially when you take into account that it’s rewards include content across all three consoles.
As we mentioned in our PlayStation 4 Features article, Sony have built a lot more online and social features into their new console, something that has seen Sony “investing in a higher performance network” that will also provide “better performance [and] better reliability”.
In addition to online multiplayer, PS Plus on PS4 1ill allow users to seamlessly start playing games and join their online friends while spectating gameplay, as well as access to exclusive discounts, cloud game saves and the Instant Game Collection. Sony giving DriveClub away from day one had Gara comment that gamers “could argue [your PS Plus subscription] is sort of paid back almost immediately. So we still think it’s tremendous value”.
With the PlayStation Plus service arguably offering much better value for money that their competitors Xbox LIVE Gold service, it’s hard to give Sony a rough time to matching their competitors decision to make online multiplayer a premium service. However, is it really okay to essentially limit a gamers options because they don’t want to pay an extra fee to their console of choice?
What do you think about Sony’s decision to make online multiplayer a paid service? Should online multiplayer on any console be limited by whether you choose to pay? Let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Twitter and Facebook.