Rumor has it, Sony planning PSN overhaul

E3 sure has its share of big announcements, like Project Natal and Sony’s Move to name a few, but there will be some smaller announcements, such as this one in particular. According to a source,  Sony (people who can’t keep any secrets) will be overhauling the PlayStation Network.

VG247 reports that a “highly placed” source has said Sony will announce a “large-scale monetizing scheme for PSN” at E3. The “highly placed” source was quick to say that the network’s free aspects for PS3 gamers will stay the same.

“I can tell you now, 100%, that that’s not the case, there’s nothing in the premium package which will gimp regular PSN users.”- the “highly-placed” source.

Although it wasn’t explicitly stated, it is said that Sony will attempt to charge an annual fee of “under $50″ for access to Sony’s library of digital games and music. This is a service plan similar to Microsoft’s Zune Pass and Spotify’s music service, except with a few games.

According to VG247′s “highly-placed” source:

Subscribers will be able to download one new game each month from a smaller, plan-specific library of PSN games. Subscribers will also, along with the games, be able to stream music from Sony’s library and play it in the background whilst playing PlayStation games.

Gamespy has stated, “The rumor mill also says Sony will take the wraps off of its PSP-phone at E3, and to me, this PSN subscription plan lends itself far more to a handheld device than the PS3, which VG247 seems to be reporting on.”

Sony’s E3 conference is on June 15.

[source: Gamespy]