Subscriber model “our dream” for PS4, says Yoshida

[wraggster]

http://media.edge-online.com/wp-content/uploads/edgeonline/oldfiles/Shuhei-Yoshida-610x344.jpg (http://media.edge-online.com/wp-content/uploads/edgeonline/oldfiles/Shuhei-Yoshida.jpg)PlayStation 4 games will be digital-first, flexibly priced and, eventually, part of a cable TV-style subscription service, according to Shuhei Yoshida.Sony’s head of worldwide studios told The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2013/feb/22/ps4-shuhei-yoshida-interview) that PS4’s digital storefront will accommodate every kind of pricing model.”We’re shifting our platform more and more to the digital side – PS4 will be similar to PS Vita in that every game will be available as a digital download, and some will also be available as a disc,” he said. “The Witness will be a digital release and because of the flexibility of the digital distribution scheme, we can have more small games that might be free or available for a couple of dollars, or different services like free-to-play or subscription models.”He added that the longer-term aim for PS4 is to turn it into a service-led platform through the use of Gaikai’s cloud technology.“As more and more services and contents become available digitally, we’ll have more of an option to create attractive packages,” he continued.“So hypothetically we can look at different models – like a cable TV company. We could have gold, silver or platinum levels of membership, something like that. We can do subscription services when we have more content – especially now that we have the Gaikai technology available. With one subscription you have access to thousands of games – that’s our dream.”

http://www.edge-online.com/news/subscriber-model-our-dream-for-ps4-says-yoshida/