Umm So much for Free PSN you know we in the end are going to pay ...

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57760

If Sony is charging game makers like this, you know we will get trickled down the cost. Nothing in this world is really free remember that. That 50 $ a year for XBL is not looking so bad now. Game makers are not happy, which means soon we will be unhappy.

Here's hoping game companies will absorb the cost without passing it to us in some way.

Yeah, I know I'm beyond help.

OP should put the article in the thread instead of just giving us a link. shacknews is blocked here.

OP should put the article in the thread instead of just giving us a link. shacknews is blocked here.

AustXilo

Ask, and ye shall receive.

Sony has instituted a "PlayStation Network Bandwidth Fee" that requires publishers to pay for each gigabyte used in downloading PlayStation 3 content from the online PlayStation Store, reports MTV Multiplayer.

Publishers were previously able to release PS3 DLC without incurring any bandwidth fees. Microsoft does not charge bandwidth fees for Xbox 360 DLC, claims the site.

The new policy went into effect on October 1, 2008, and charges publishers 16 cents for each gigabyte of bandwidth used. Bandwidth utilized by free content is only billed for the first 60 days, while premium content racks up charges until it's removed from the store.

For example, a 1GB demo downloaded one million times within its first 60 days of availability would incur an extra charge of $160,000. Between the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Capcom has seen over 4 million downloads of the recent Resident Evil 5 demo.

Understandably, publishers aren't happy with the deal. "It's a new thing we have to budget," one anonymous source told the site. "It's not cool. It sucks."

While Sony refused to explain the logic behind the new policy, MTV Multiplayer suggested that it coud be a result of the PlayStation Network offering free multiplayer, whereas Microsoft charges players for the privelege of playing games online.MTV Multiplayer

All in all, it hasn't affected PSN users so far, but that definitely doesn't mean it won't cause something to pop up in the (immediate) future.

OP should put the article in the thread instead of just giving us a link. shacknews is blocked here.

AustXilo

Try this link.

Pray to god that this isnt a new trend with companies like this.

That sucks. Say goodbye to demos for indie games, basically.SpaceMoose

Pretty much it ;)

Sounds like a great way to give MS more exclusive DLC. And charging money for bandwidthused by gamersdownloading demos is just absurd. Makes me wonder if Sony realizes they're in third place.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57760

If Sony is charging game makers like this, you know we will get trickled down the cost. Nothing in this world is really free remember that. That 50 $ a year for XBL is not looking so bad now. Game makers are not happy, which means soon we will be unhappy.

_Bear

PSN will remain free for the consumers. I'd much rather have them charge game developers than me.

Sounds like a great way to give MS more exclusive DLC. And charging money for bandwidthused by gamersdownloading demos is just absurd. Makes me wonder if Sony realizes they're in third place.

Ish_basic

This is all hearsay until Sony confirms it. My bet is it's more of Sony will charge them a certain amount for DLC not including demos. Demos help Sony out also, DLC that they aren't making money off of doesn't.

Sounds like a great way to give MS more exclusive DLC. And charging money for bandwidthused by gamersdownloading demos is just absurd. Makes me wonder if Sony realizes they're in third place.

Ish_basic

Yes. I'd rather pay 50 bucks a year than miss out on demos, DLC videos and what have you because game makers decide the cost of releasing stuff on PSN just isn't worth it.

thats not cool.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57760

If Sony is charging game makers like this, you know we will get trickled down the cost. Nothing in this world is really free remember that. That 50 $ a year for XBL is not looking so bad now. Game makers are not happy, which means soon we will be unhappy.

it wont affect the consumers, PSN remains free for us, i hope it continues to be like that, i'd hate to revert back to that crap box microsoft system