SmokedMeat
Gamer™
I think you're trying to make this into something a lot bigger then what it really is.
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PS4 Pro patches won't cost users money, like duh
- Thread starter benny_a
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I think you're trying to make this into something a lot bigger then what it really is.
It absolutely is up to Sony.
They could simply issue a mandate that states any updates need to be free.
The fact that one of their representatives stated they may charge for some of their first party games shows what mentality they're adopting though.
Time will tell, but should Sony try and ask for money for a performance update I'll be done with them for good. I'm only one of millions granted, but I won't bend over for them.
I mean...it's the most non news ever. Patches after launch can sometimes cost money (not fees but costs associated with making a patch), and supporting Pro when required is just absorbed into the launch checklist and approval.
Patches can never be charged, nor can exclusive Pro content can be charged either.
Patches can never be charged, nor can exclusive Pro content can be charged either.
Sony should mandate that all DLC must be free while they're at it.
YuriLowell
Member
I mean if the patch came with extra features I wouldn't be against it, but not like this.
If you're looking for a platform holder that shields you from the (unpopular) monetisation whims of publishers (that probably won't be indulged), I've some bad news for you about PC...
plagiarize
Banned
Either way, you won't get the upgrades on those games then.
Any developer who wants to monetize this patch, isn't going to bother if they can't.
If they try, don't buy. The game you bought still runs at the framerate and resolution it always did. You didn't buy it with an expectation of getting a boost to either down the line, I hope.
This is only for legacy content. Dusting off that code base, and in some cases brining in a new programmer to try and figure this out, is going to cost the developer money. Then they have to go through all the usual q and a and certification etc, and that also costs money.
Most will recognize that this is going to boost sales of their game, and bring with it consumer goodwill if they don't charge for it.
Maybe some won't.
I don't see the logic in blaming Sony. Again, all you will achieve is how ever many games were going to offer this upgrade for free, will be the only games that get the upgrade.
CosmicQueso
Member
For the love of sanity, please listen to chub.
pixellated_man
Member
killatopak
Member
Ito is an idiot.
Charging for the option to increase resolution wouldn't really be possible on PC though.
SolidChamp
Banned
OP has Update #2 which seems to be quite important.
It's all fine, guys. You can relax.
It's all fine, guys. You can relax.
Clear
CliffyB's Cock Holster
Simple analogy:
You pay a guy to paint your condo. He does the work, you pay him and he goes on his way.
A couple of years later you buy the condo adjacent and knock through the wall to double your living space.
Decorator comes back and offers to paint the new area to match... and you say, sure, but refuse to pay extra because you've already paid him for a full interior job.
Now the painter can choose to do this and eat the expense as a good-will gesture because its a lovely home that he can use as a showpiece job on his web-page. On the other hand he can just shrug and say that his crew's wages need to covered, so he'll pass in favour of doing work for paying customers instead.
You pay a guy to paint your condo. He does the work, you pay him and he goes on his way.
A couple of years later you buy the condo adjacent and knock through the wall to double your living space.
Decorator comes back and offers to paint the new area to match... and you say, sure, but refuse to pay extra because you've already paid him for a full interior job.
Now the painter can choose to do this and eat the expense as a good-will gesture because its a lovely home that he can use as a showpiece job on his web-page. On the other hand he can just shrug and say that his crew's wages need to covered, so he'll pass in favour of doing work for paying customers instead.
Has to be a translator error. This is why I am always wary of non-native English speaking interviews that have been translated. So much gets lost in context and meaning.
Wait for executive clarification before losing your collective shit, or is this the wrong crowd for that piece of advice?
Wait for executive clarification before losing your collective shit, or is this the wrong crowd for that piece of advice?
Yeah, yeah...You read it here people : Sony dictates the commercial behaviour of Activision, EA, UBI etc...They have every right to force publishers to do what they want : they are the platform holder !!!
It's already a subset of your consumers who are buying a pro. Now you want a subset of a subset to pay for the enhancement, probably for a game they don't play anymore?
Good luck. Hey, if it works, it works, and kudos to you. At the very least this is bad PR for a game, though. May turn people off to the console entirely.
I'm assuming if the company can afford it and doesn't want the bad press, they'll likely patch their game for free, but we'll see what happens.
Good luck. Hey, if it works, it works, and kudos to you. At the very least this is bad PR for a game, though. May turn people off to the console entirely.
I'm assuming if the company can afford it and doesn't want the bad press, they'll likely patch their game for free, but we'll see what happens.
Honesly people defending this sort of capitalism its pure money grabbing in my eyes the extra sales they would get from the game having a pro mode would more then off set this but noo lets rip off the people more worse part is people are saying this is ok lol this opens the doors to other shity actions if true
MatrixMan.EXE
Member
Wait I'm confused now. Is he saying there will be a cost for to MAKE the patches depending on licenses, or is he saying that there is potential to charge consumers? Something about this seems really off.
BossLackey
Gold Member
It's like a comic villain who goes good for a few arcs and goes evil again.
They could mandate that yes. Probable result = 0 patches will be made for old games
I understand what you're saying.
The reason Sony would get the blame in this instance is that they are the ones as the Licensor that can dictate certain rules. The licensee can choose whether they want to follow them or not. But what we appear to have here - until its confirmed - is a scenario where the charge for updates is down to the licensee.
If that does turn out to be factual then it's inevitable that one publisher will test the water. I don't doubt that many developers will want to push out "free" updates to gain customer satisfaction, loyalty, goodwill etc.But ultimately all the negative things in gaming today are there because we as consumers have accepted it, and regardless of the reactions there would be to paid performance updates, I am pretty confident they would sell.
If I got rid of my console it would be on principle, even though I could rightly ignore the practices, the same way I ignore micro-transactions for example. But for me performance updates that are paid for would be too far for me.
Confused Cheeseburger
Member
If this is true, I would strongly reconsider my Pro purchase. Sony desperately needs to get their ducks in a row lately. So much spiraling mismanagement of messaging, They've been so good with information this generation but something is defintely up.
For games released in the last 6 to 12 months? Sure.
For anything older.. I doubt it'd help that much with sales. At least enough to justify the amount of work/expenses this means.
Sony will not charge for patches
Principate
Saint Titanfall
It probably isn't a translation error, the interviewer repeated asked questions about this to get a response and the represntative was deliberately vague and cagey. Most likely the reason it was done like this was to test the waters and then throw him or website/interview under a bus if th reponse is too strong.
wesleyshark
Banned
Sony is Dr Doom
what did I just read in the OP then?
I agree with this but...
If a game has been finished and the developers have moved on, then fair enough I guess.
Publishers, developers and Sony. Consider this.
- You need a 4K TV. (ideally a HDR enabled one)
- You need a PS4 Pro.
- You need an internet connection.
- You need the game itself.
This shit ain't cheap on the consumer. The last thing you want to do is put more barriers between the consumer and what you claim is the future.
Man-is-Obsolete
Member
Hmmm, how would one charge for such an update? I mean logistically. Are you literally purchasing an asset pack or a key to enable an update?
Seems messy. Most I imagine would just include it in the game at no cost, and hope to reap the benefit of people buying the game that hadn't already to play it on the pro.
That or there is still a lot lost in translation or this person mis-spoke and it is actually a charge to publishers and devs to patch and not the end user.
Seems messy. Most I imagine would just include it in the game at no cost, and hope to reap the benefit of people buying the game that hadn't already to play it on the pro.
That or there is still a lot lost in translation or this person mis-spoke and it is actually a charge to publishers and devs to patch and not the end user.
Jacksinthe
Banned
We are not allowed to charge you for patches or pro feature updates.
The "fees" include anything we have to swallow to update our past games for you.
The internet can calm down. There is nothing we can do to leverage pro features or patches with price. Nothing.
The "fees" include anything we have to swallow to update our past games for you.
The internet can calm down. There is nothing we can do to leverage pro features or patches with price. Nothing.
pixellated_man
Member
True dat.
Rather than being issued the way updates are at the moment, they would be installed (and paid for) on the PSN store.
I don't think it would be too difficult to implement.
They could then have some flashy pictures on the store front, and a glitzy description describing the improvements, with a nice $5 price tag.
killatopak
Member
Sony isn't going to charge patches for future games since it already comes with it. I think it's said in the update that only old games will charge for the pro patches since patching needs development time which needs money. How much is in the hands of the publisher/developer.
BreezyLimbo
Banned
Can I quote you in the OP as an update?
BRocknRolla
Member
Ugh... I don't know about this.
On one hand, if they're just doing a resolution bump and charging, then screw you. That's disgusting.
On the other hand, if they're adding in more/better assets. Adding more things to the games that aren't just tweaking sliders. Retesting to make sure things work well. Then on some level I get it. It isn't just a "patch" then. Maybe it's not a "remaster", but it did require some amount of work.
It sounds like you've got experience with this.
If you do, that's a very comforting policy. Very pro-consumer.
On one hand, if they're just doing a resolution bump and charging, then screw you. That's disgusting.
On the other hand, if they're adding in more/better assets. Adding more things to the games that aren't just tweaking sliders. Retesting to make sure things work well. Then on some level I get it. It isn't just a "patch" then. Maybe it's not a "remaster", but it did require some amount of work.
It sounds like you've got experience with this.
If you do, that's a very comforting policy. Very pro-consumer.
too late now. the pitchforks are out
TheSpoiler
Member
xion4360
Member
Did they ask the question in Japanese? in english? is Ito a native english speaker? was the question and response translated?
Its pretty granular if you get down to it so the answer needs to be correctly understood and translated otherwise the last 12 pages dont mean shit. This needs to be clariffied because it does not gel with anything sony has said. Patches are not something you pay for on a playstation. This being the internet little things like this get too many people responding wildly.
Its pretty granular if you get down to it so the answer needs to be correctly understood and translated otherwise the last 12 pages dont mean shit. This needs to be clariffied because it does not gel with anything sony has said. Patches are not something you pay for on a playstation. This being the internet little things like this get too many people responding wildly.
Hope that's the case because this is seems like some petty ass fee for the consumer if true.
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