Subscription Based Service Heading To PSN? [UPDATE] News

According to this document from a Sony media/investor conference, the electronics giant could be poised to add a subscription based service to the PlayStation Network that will bring in a "New revenue stream" for the company.

PSN has been free of charge to PlayStation users since its inception back in the PS2 days, although slide 39 from the conference does seem to suggest that gamers will soon be paying for a subscription to certain content on the platform.

The slide, entitled "5 Key Advantages of PlayStation 3", reveals that Sony is planning to release a "non-game software development kit" for PSN during the second quarter of fiscal 2010, while also noting a strong line-up of content for the platform, both game and non-game oriented (e.g. videos and comics).

Sony then states that this will bring in a "New revenue stream from subscription", although it's unclear what type of subscription Sony is alluding to. The platform holder could have an all encompassing subscription in mind (like Xbox Live), or a more specific pay option for some of its on-demand content (e.g. paying a premium subscription charge for unlimited film rentals).

We'll send an e-mail over to Sony for clarification and update this article if we receive a reply.

Thanks, VG247.

UPDATE: Sony has sent us through the following quote from Kaz Hirai on the issue of PSN subscriptions:

"SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network. Especially in the on-line area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services."

Put another way, it doesn't sound like Sony is going to integrate a similar subscription model to Xbox Live, so it should remain free to play multiplayer games over PSN and take advantage of the other free services that are currently available. Presumably any future subscription model for PSN will accompany some as yet unannounced features for the platform.