Sony’s Strategy Planning Discusses PSN Monetization

The issue of Playstation 3 and PSP users eventually being charged for Playstation Network usage (similar to Xbox Live,) has been a constant possibility looming on the horizon. While many Sony Computer Entertainment executives have either skirted the issue or hinted otherwise, in a recent interview with Nikkei Electronics Asia, the head of Sony’s Strategy Planning department Masayuki Chatani discussed the multiple methods the console-maker could take to put a cost on Playstation Network activity.

“Servers and the like have running costs, and we would face difficulties if our business depended solely on the sell-and-forget model. After we sell the hardware, though, we continue to sell products such as content and services,” said Chatani. “We expect to see considerable growth in digital content, such as game download services, avatar items and the like.”

“We can also accept payment in a growing number of ways. In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges,” he added. ”I think this variety of payment methods will bring about a diverse range of playing methods, too.”