PlayStation’s European Boss admits they’re still learning the best pricing structure for PlayStation Now.
PlayStation Now is a streaming service that allows customers to access a large collection of PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 games on a rental basis. It will be compatible with Sony’s gaming platforms and some televisions, and it’s currently in beta for the PlayStation 4. There are four different rental price models available, but President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Jim Ryan says that it’s still a learning experience.
“We’re learning every single day the beta’s ongoing,” he explains, “We’re learning about what the right model for consumers is: we’re starting off with rental, and what’s the right period to rent, what’s the right price for the rental, playing with these things. We haven’t got them quite right yet, but we will do, and we’ll just take learnings from it and do stuff differently as appropriate.” PlayStation Now’s current rental options are 4 hours, 7 days, 30 days, and 90 days. Four-hour rentals can be as low as $2.99 for games like Twisted Metal, and 90-day rentals range from $14.99 to $24.99.
Ryan elaborates that while renting seems like an attractive option for some consumers, others might prefer a subscription-based approach, which is a route Sony is keeping in mind as they continue to test out the service. “‘Learning’ is the right word, because this is a new business for us and we have to be kind of humble and accept that we don’t understand it yet, and learn quickly.”
Here’s hoping Sony figures out the right pricing structure for PlayStation Now. There are still analysts who don’t believe in the success of the subscription system.
Source: CVG
