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Sony Announces Flat Rate MMO Subscription

Posted by simoniker on from the ever-side-tanarus-adventures dept.

Thorizdin writes "It looks like Sony is making moves that will change gaming, but not just in the handheld market. SOE (Sony Online Entertainment) are bundling their MMO subscription plans so gamers can play all of their premium games for one flat rate ($21.99 US per month), rather than pay for many subscriptions separately. There are some exceptions, though, since the new pricing only applies to SOE-published games, so you won't get Star Wars Galaxies in the bundle." For the record, the specific games included are Everquest, Planetside, Everquest Online Adventures for PS2, the Station Pass (Tanarus, Infantry, Cosmic Rift), and Everquest 2 when it launches.

4 of 31 comments (clear)

  1. Mass Market Appeal by RealDeadFred · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Can't remember where I read this... broadly speaking its the idea that consumers don't like the idea of having to pay subscriptions for individual games, they prefer paying for a package, in the same way you would subscribe to a cable or satellite service for a flat fee and then have access to a number of channels. Seems like a good idea then!

  2. Re:Good Move - mostly by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 3, Interesting
    The real question is whether or not I can be playing two different games on the same subscription at the same time. Probably Sony wouldn't want this but it would make a nice family plan if one of the kids could be playing online in one room while the other was playing online in a different.

    Insert obligatory 'people should spend more time talking to each other in real life and less time playing video games' paragraph here. Throw in a bit at the end about enjoying the beautiful weather with the ones you love.

    --
    I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  3. Re:Might help me out by RealDeadFred · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Yeah... right now I don't play MMO games since they seem to require such a huge time commitment, one that, having a wife, job and kids I just don't have! I can see the flat subscription thing working for me, provided there were games that it was possible to dip in and out of... Some of my workmates are getting into the PlanetSide beta right now, and these guys are playing 8-12 hours at a time. No thanks!

  4. Following XBOX Model by telstar · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This is what Microsoft has been doing since day 1.
    It's also part of the reason EA decided NOT to go with Microsoft in creating Live-enabled XBOX games. It'll be interesting to see how EA responds now that Sony has decided to follow this unified service model ... at a notably higher price that Microsoft.