Home Gaming Why you‘ll pay for multiplayer on PS4

Why you‘ll pay for multiplayer on PS4

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As we already know, the PlayStation 4 will charge you money to play multiplayer games online, approaching a model closer to Xbox Live. Funnily enough, this hasn’t got people in an uproar – because Sony cleverly tied it to its existing, much beloved PlayStation Plus service. Classic bait-and-switch, really. Sony worldwide boss Shuhei Yoshida has explained why it had to happen.

“That’s a big decision," he told CVG, "what we internally discussed and decided is that we will continue the free access to online play on PS3 and Vita, so that’s clear. But because on PS4 the online connectivity features such as second screen, auto downloads and share features – these are one big pillar of the PS4 experience and we will continue to invest in this area to expand and improve these online features and services.”

Essentially, it’s for the very reasons Xbox gamers have been saying all along: You get what you pay for.

"If we keep giving away online access for free, the natural pressure is that we have to cut down on the cost to provide this free service. But that’s conflicting with our goal of being able to provide very robust and great online services going forward. So we decided that on PS4, because we want to continue to invest and improve our new services, we’ve asked the most engaged consumers in the online activities to share the burden with us so that we can continue to invest."

Last Updated: June 13, 2013

103 Comments

  1. Danny Baromen

    June 13, 2013 at 11:22

    Seems fair if you ask me… as long as it doesn’t cost the freaking earth…

    Reply

    • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

      June 13, 2013 at 11:24

      PS+ subscription is like 490 rand for the year, not bad at all considering all you get

      Reply

      • ALKi1234

        June 13, 2013 at 11:28

        loving PS+ To many games….so little time.

        Reply

        • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

          June 13, 2013 at 11:31

          So So So little time……the worse part of life is no time

          Reply

          • Danny Baromen

            June 13, 2013 at 12:57

            Heck, even if there was 48 hours in a day…

          • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

            June 13, 2013 at 12:58

            dude 🙁 ….. All I want is a day, just one day, no interruptions…..one day of nothing but gaming….but alas, we are adults…and adults have adult things to do

          • Danny Baromen

            June 13, 2013 at 13:07

            Ain’t that the sad truth… 🙁

          • Sageville

            June 13, 2013 at 13:14

            Oh Umar, you are singing the married man song right there.

          • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

            June 13, 2013 at 13:21

            Oh man, what a shock I got when I got married..I thought I didn’t have time when I started working but marriage is another ball game. luckily my wife knows I play a lot , so on alternate days she stays up late with me when I play games. but man, my main gaming time is after 6 in the morning and 11 in the evening lol

          • Sageville

            June 13, 2013 at 13:25

            Lets just say my “day” only starts after the kids are a-bed, from 9pm – 3am I do my gaming and yes, I will sleep when I’m dead.

            Also helps to have an understanding wife, mine rocks.

          • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

            June 13, 2013 at 13:33

            🙂 it does help hey. I know that feel man, staying up till the wee hours in the morning. It’s worth it though…who needs sleep anyway

          • Argentil

            June 13, 2013 at 13:35

            Gotta be looking forward to the golden years when you can spend all of your time gaming 😛

          • Mike MacDonald

            June 13, 2013 at 18:59

            Im singing the divorced song! “Play all day, Play all night, no more sex but thats alright!”

          • Argentil

            June 13, 2013 at 13:16

            Speak for yourself. I arrange for this shit yo. Good thing I don’t have kids. Sorry to all you parents out there.

  2. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    June 13, 2013 at 11:23

    “we’ve asked the most engaged consumers in the online activities to share the burden with us so that we can continue to invest”

    A humble request. Which is the problems I had with MS, their arrogance in telling us to just shut and pay

    Reply

    • Draco Lusus

      June 13, 2013 at 11:26

      Or “deal with it”. Love that one…I’ve never been a console fan, or favoured one over the other. Played both at mate’s places, both where cool. But the value you get from PS+ compared to a SA Live account is just chalk and cheese. I will probably get one, when the price drops and subscribe, even tho I don’t play online games.

      Reply

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        June 13, 2013 at 11:30

        lol Indeed. Yeah you get quite a lot, I think it’s quite worth the small price tag

        Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      June 13, 2013 at 11:38

      This is good honest PR. Yeah we are asking you to pay but here is why.

      Unlike Microsoft, who just turn around and say “because we said so”

      Reply

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        June 13, 2013 at 11:41

        Exactly! that really get’s under my skin. Sony are saying look, this is why you should pay and we ask you to help us make a better experience for you, but MS, even in their Conference just dances around everything and refuses to acknowledge what they are doing. Dressing up restrictions as features and rather than asking to accept the new direction all they are saying is if you don’t like it, deal with it or GTFO

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 13, 2013 at 11:42

          And the best part? Sony don’t turn around and say you have to pay. It’s not mandatory. You have a choice.

          Reply

          • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

            June 13, 2013 at 11:44

            Yes, as they said “most engaged consumers in the online activities ” so those people that are engaged in online gaming, so for me as a purely single player gamer, it has zero effect on me. Beautiful

    • Rinceyouropinion

      June 13, 2013 at 12:41

      Agreed, and with the fact that they have been giving games away for free for ages I think the minor charge of like $5 a month is worth it! We be having it, Xbone NON!

      Reply

    • Cause_I_Can

      June 14, 2013 at 05:57

      Thats a lie. The most engaged already have the PS plus so if that sentence were true they’d be increasing the PS plus cost not make EVERY one who wants to play the whole game to pay AGAIN. Humble no..crafty yes. Talk about what MS is doing even tho they’re doing the same thing they said they wouldnt do 8 years ago. Soon they’ll sell you on restricting used games and putting a camera in your face.

      Reply

  3. Ultimo_Cleric N7

    June 13, 2013 at 11:28

    “But because on PS4 the online connectivity features such as second screen, auto downloads and share features – these are one big pillar of the PS4 experience and we will continue to invest in this area to expand and improve these online features and services.”
    Thats why Sony wins. While the major functionality is online, you can STILL use it offline.
    And R490 a year is nothing considering the free stuff you get.

    Reply

    • Jakster

      June 13, 2013 at 11:29

      You are still paying for what PC, Wii U and XBox gamers are getting for free. There’s no winning when you have to pay for MP.

      Reply

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        June 13, 2013 at 11:34

        Doesn’t Xbox also charge for LIVE?

        Reply

        • Argentil

          June 13, 2013 at 11:35

          Haha! Yup. They do.

          Reply

        • Trevor Davies

          June 13, 2013 at 11:36

          shhhhh don’t ruin this with facts, or bring up that many PC MMOs have subscriptions.

          Reply

        • Jakster

          June 13, 2013 at 12:02

          Live is free or was free on Xbox 1. I need to hook the old console up and check if Live still exists. Anywhoo, you still paying for what’s free elsewhere.

          Reply

          • Argentil

            June 13, 2013 at 12:07

            The servers are down for all of those games anyway. You could say the same thing of the PS2 (if you had the expansion bay addon allowing internet access). Online functionality has expanded in such a way that there are expectations of cloud implementation, streaming etc. This wasn’t the case 10 years ago with the original Xbox (not to be confused with the Xbox One).

      • Ultimo_Cleric N7

        June 13, 2013 at 11:57

        Very true. But it is certainly the lesser of the 2 console evils. And constantly updating my PC is getting expensive. Hence why I am moving to console next year.

        Reply

        • Jakster

          June 13, 2013 at 12:04

          There’s no need to constantly upgrade a modern day PC. An i5 with a gfx card the price of the PS4 or XBO will do 4K gaming.

          Reply

          • Argentil

            June 13, 2013 at 12:05

            You can bet that with more console games releasing on PC, that won’t be the case for much longer. This gen will be a big one for PC. I do think you can wait 2 years with an i5 before things get too bad and we all need Titan equivalents to get by.

          • Ultimo_Cleric N7

            June 13, 2013 at 12:51

            Guess we will have to wait and see.

          • RichardC

            June 13, 2013 at 12:55

            Hahahahahahahaha, ye I cal bullshit. Sir I think you just lost the Internets

          • RichardC

            June 13, 2013 at 13:17

            As someone that actually has a cutting edge PC and have actually worked with 4K footage, I can say without a doubt theres no way that your gonna achieve 4K videos smoothly, nevermind games. Dont even get this whole 4K fad thing, do people even know how big 4K is, thats 4 times HD, your gonna need a screen the size of your living room wall just to see a difference thats worth it and be able to appreciate it

          • Argentil

            June 13, 2013 at 13:25

            Actually, it’s a little below 4x, I think. The dimensions are reversed. 1080p is actually 1980×1080 or whatever. It’s actually closer to 3x.

            4096 × 2160 compared to 1980×1080

          • RichardC

            June 13, 2013 at 13:38

            Actually you got it a bit wrong, its judged by height. thus HD is called 1K in reference to the 1080 part not the 1920 part. so in actuality it goes like this:

            1K: 1920×1080

            2K: 3840×2160

            3K:5760×3240

            4K:7680×4320

            Otherwise Aspect ratios wont add up.

          • Argentil

            June 13, 2013 at 13:57

          • Sageville

            June 13, 2013 at 13:47

            Ya know back in the day they also said “Who would possibly need more than 4mb of RAM???”

    • Draco Lusus

      June 13, 2013 at 11:30

      Its less than the cost of one new title, considering what you get for the subscription.

      Reply

  4. Jakster

    June 13, 2013 at 11:28

    I’m so glad to pay for multiplayer Sony….you know so I can join the ranks of those XBL Gold members. Gold Member? Yeah baby, yeah!!!!

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      June 13, 2013 at 11:33

      lol is that one your new 2014 xbox 360, Foxhound?

      Reply

      • Jakster

        June 13, 2013 at 12:15

        I haven’t seen the Foxhound Xbox 360 Edition yet.

        Reply

  5. OVG

    June 13, 2013 at 11:32

    Also we have the OPTION not to buy the spy cam. We also have the OPTION not to have an Internet line. We also have the OPTION to buy used games at BT. We also have the OPTION to play the same multiplatform games on a cheaper console. We have the OPTION to play our PS3 games via a cloud.

    Can we use the PS3 controller on the PS4. That would be the cherry on top.

    Options people. MANDATORY is not positive.

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      June 13, 2013 at 11:34

      Options? Hahahahahaha, only stupid poor people want options! #dealwithitwatchtvandorderapizzaminion

      Reply

      • Argentil

        June 13, 2013 at 11:37

        #DEWandDoritos

        Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          June 13, 2013 at 11:37

          #mountaindew

          Reply

          • OVG

            June 13, 2013 at 11:43

            DOMINO PIZZA?

          • Argentil

            June 13, 2013 at 11:51

            No really #DEWandDoritos

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            June 13, 2013 at 11:52

            Xbone – Tower of Corporate greed!

      • OVG

        June 13, 2013 at 11:38

        AMERICA is for MANDATORY people. Land of the free my donkey.

        Reply

    • e1ace

      June 13, 2013 at 11:59

      Can’t use the same controller. But I understand that due to the touch pad, speaker and mic jack.

      Reply

      • Argentil

        June 13, 2013 at 12:01

        You can use your Vita though.

        Reply

  6. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    June 13, 2013 at 11:32

    Still not happy about the change. I dislike the idea that multiplayer is essentially a hidden cost. Granted, it’s not going to break the bank (and PSN+ isn’t a ripoff like XBL), but as someone who reluctantly paid for 5 year’s worth of xbox live, and found freedom on PSN, this move does bring a tear to my eye.

    Reply

  7. Argentil

    June 13, 2013 at 11:36

    F2P titles are still free to play online. That hasn’t changed.

    Reply

  8. ElimiNathan

    June 13, 2013 at 11:37

    Dammit I cant wait for the PS4!!! GET here already!!!

    Reply

  9. Daryl Eksteen

    June 13, 2013 at 11:42

    I’m totally fine with this as well.

    Reply

  10. Admiral Chief Groot Wors

    June 13, 2013 at 11:49

    Steam costs me f$%# -ol

    Reply

    • Anon A Mouse

      June 13, 2013 at 11:52

      PS+ also costs me nuffink, since I don’t do online. At least I still have the choice to go out and buy a hard copy of a game and play SP Offline. #gamingheaven.

      Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      June 13, 2013 at 11:53

      Tomorrow.. I get.. THE LAST OF US!!

      Reply

      • Argentil

        June 13, 2013 at 11:54

        Just in time for the weekend. Gonna vegetate so hard, see me meld into my couch.

        Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          June 13, 2013 at 12:02

          Hehehe when man and couch become one… COUCHMENBEARHAM!!

          Reply

      • Admiral Chief Groot Wors

        June 13, 2013 at 12:19

        Heh, seems like e3 brought out ALL the console trolls.

        So, in short, not missing out here on Lagz

        *goes back to work*

        Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          June 13, 2013 at 12:23

          Work? Instead of Lagz? SIr.. you need a beer!

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Groot Wors

            June 13, 2013 at 12:32

            THIS is my work (no lies)

          • Anon A Mouse

            June 13, 2013 at 12:37

            Why is there fries in the fridge o.O

          • Admiral Chief Groot Wors

            June 13, 2013 at 12:38

            Leftovers from laaaaaaate night Monday (busy with projects)

          • Jaster

            June 13, 2013 at 13:16

            The beer, the beeeeer is A LIE!!!!! Look at that Cisco box to the right. This PC troll is already fitting in routers to implement the master DRM PLAN!!!!

            *Fries added for extra distraction.

          • Admiral Chief Groot Wors

            June 13, 2013 at 14:01

            You no like Cisco?

            (I don’t either, but its not my router, is [censored]’s router)

          • Sageville

            June 13, 2013 at 13:17

            Admiral, I see you changed your name again….. watched the last Game of Thrones episode I assume….

          • Admiral Chief Groot Wors

            June 13, 2013 at 13:57

            Nope, we were talking about boerewors earlier, and they accused me of being a boerewors man hater, and then said that “I am from the boerewors race”, Banana said I should change name, and well, the rest is history 😛

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        June 13, 2013 at 12:33

        getting mine saturday … so excited!

        Reply

      • TechniKyle

        June 14, 2013 at 07:22

        BITCH PLEASE! TODAY I GET THE LAST OF US! 😛

        Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          June 14, 2013 at 09:10

          OH SNAP! Don’t make me launch at you like a kung fu fighting midget… 😛

          PS: My copy just arrived. I have it in my hand. Takealot’s courier just dropped it off. I am so happy!

          Reply

          • TechniKyle

            June 14, 2013 at 09:13

            Going to pick mine up after work 🙂 Enjoy it! Oh and Happy the Last of Us day! 🙂

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            June 14, 2013 at 09:28

            This day should be a public holiday.. oh it’s raining… 😀

    • RichardC

      June 13, 2013 at 13:04

      But Steam doesnt give you all those free goodies niow do they (well not nearly as much as PS+), and you have a choice, so the argument is moot.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Groot Wors

        June 13, 2013 at 14:04

        Two words:

        Steam Specials

        Reply

  11. Ryanza

    June 13, 2013 at 12:11

    If Sony brings gaming servers to the countries that are paying for multiplayer, then I’ll be happy. But paying for p2p multiplayer is not ok.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      June 13, 2013 at 12:22

      This is I actually agree with, and that’s the same issue I had with the xbox 360. To pay for xbox live and p2p multiplayer (Call of Duty…yes you), is not ok.

      Reply

    • Argentil

      June 13, 2013 at 12:40

      I don’t see why they would charge for the service if this wasn’t their intention.

      Reply

  12. CypherGate

    June 13, 2013 at 12:11

    I’d pay that fee. For what you get in return is a bargain. Everything cant be free now can it? They have to make some cash somewhere. They not as greedy as Microsoft.

    Reply

  13. brad coetzee

    June 13, 2013 at 12:18

    It makes sense. If people pay for the service then Sony can pay people to look after that service and keep it running smoothly.

    Reply

    • Argentil

      June 13, 2013 at 12:39

      From what I hear, Sony could really improve some of it’s non-english speaking customer support.

      Reply

  14. Deano

    June 13, 2013 at 12:52

    Love how the whole Xbox live model was evil now Sony is doing it its okay hahahaha! such a laugh.
    People are so brainwashed and brand loyal. They can “yah but” all they want.

    Reply

    • Argentil

      June 13, 2013 at 12:56

      I’m sure you are one of the many who confuse the meaning of the word Irony. Xbros have justified the hefty price-tag that comes with Xbox Live for years. PSN+ on it’s own is a ridiculously good service. Adding PS4 multiplayer to improve the overall multiplayer functions of the console is not a biggie. Sony couldn’t afford to host servers before, now they can. The service will improve, as such, it’s become a service we have to pay for. At least non Plus subscribers can still access Netflix, browsers etc on their console without having to pay for it.

      Reply

      • Deano

        June 13, 2013 at 13:59

        Yes and all the South African people use Netflix, Not. Its blocked in this country.
        Yes there are ways to get around this, but we talking about the “average joe”.

        So you pretty much paying to do anything meaningful online.
        Keep justifying your brand loyalty.

        Reply

        • Argentil

          June 13, 2013 at 14:04

          I know of 5 people in my friends circle who do use it. It’s a selling point for the console. If no one buys the console, that’s a bad thing. Jakster, are you Foxhound doodab trollface? You are sounding an awful lot like him with your irrational justifications and poor fact-checking.

          Reply

          • Deano

            June 13, 2013 at 14:53

            Im not doubting netflix is amazing problem is not out for the average user to use. Only for those of us who now how.

            Either way MS and Sony’s online services are both paid for services now, people buy consoles for games not netflix, thats just a added bonus.

    • Danny Baromen

      June 13, 2013 at 12:56

      Microsoft forces you to pay to do anything online, Sony only wants you to pay when you play multi-player…

      Vast difference there…

      Reply

    • Jakster

      June 13, 2013 at 13:18

      It’s the same people posting the same MS bashing here everyday. I guess the regulars, even PC Troll Guy above got tired of this mindless gibberish on LG.

      Reply

    • silverscorpio

      June 13, 2013 at 13:22

      I am thankful for Sony holding on so long as they did before charging for it. At least they showed that they tried and at this stage it is not feasible anymore.

      Reply

  15. Mike MacDonald

    June 13, 2013 at 18:58

    People pay $15USD a month to play MMO’s and that’s one game. I do not mind paying for the online as long as it is SOLID! And has EXCELLENT voice communication!

    Reply

  16. Cause_I_Can

    June 14, 2013 at 05:53

    No..Paying for online is wrong. MS did it they were wrong for it. MS is limiting and making you pay for even MORE stuff who’s to say Sony wont do it next gen if there is one? I could care less about the share button or double screens or free pictures and clothing to put on an avatar, hell even the indie games. If I want it bad enough I’ll go and buy it but dont force my hand. Keep Playstation Plus as a PLUS. If you want it get the extra, if not just use the same old online play without all the extras.

    Reply

  17. Happy Hamster

    June 14, 2013 at 06:48

    I think its a rip off what sony charges for xbox live gold , I was in the UK recently and my buddy showed me what UK Live Gold looks like and i was amazed , More Features More Apps ect and he was paying about R50 a month as well.Take a look at South Africa’s version there hardly anything available and its a rip off compared to other countries

    Reply

  18. Bowen

    June 14, 2013 at 17:49

    worst fucking idea ever to charge people to play online. Ps4 wont be in my future lmfao

    Reply

  19. Helldriver Phoenix

    June 16, 2013 at 00:51

    All those free games. My poor poor little 2gig cap 🙁

    Reply

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