The PlayStation Network is quite possibly the largest service scam in modern history.  Currently, there are more than 110,000,000 paying subscribers, of which 70 million are active every single month.  Many of these subscribers are attributed to the “Call of Duty” gaming franchise that requires the PS Network’s online function in order to play the games multi-player modes.  However, as recent and past history has shown us, the PlayStation Network is becoming more and more unreliable with a growing number of issues.

These issues primarily stem from the repeated lagging of servers to simply being unable to access the PlayStation Network entirely.  In 2014 when Sony released it’s newest version of the PlayStation, the PlayStation 4, they also ushered in the requirement of having the PlayStation Plus Network account access in order to play games online.  This new addition was supposed to create a better overall gaming experience, one that would see less lagging and more consistency regarding game play.

Shuhel Yoshida, the President of Sony’s Worldwide Studios for Sony Interactive Entertainment went on to state the following: “The main pillar for the PS4 will be online play. We’re developing many new ways to play and connect which requires a large investment of resources,” & “Considering the cost, to try to keep such a service free and consequently lower the quality would be absurd. We decided that if that’s the case, then it would be better to receive proper payment and continue to offer a good service.”

The reality is plain and simple.  The PlayStation Network created a cash cow out of it’s system.  They promised access to extra features with amazing gaming speeds and support during game play.  All of which is and was a bold faced lie.  Users who have been longterm PlayStation Gamers all share the same feelings.  The issues for the PS4, even when paying for the required PlayStation Network are the exact same issues one would experience without the PlayStation Network on the PS3 console.

When connected to a bad host in the PS4 Network connected era, users have to migrate to a different host.  This is the same exact process that would take place when playing on the PS3 – without the forced PlayStation Network access.  The new host isn’t a PlayStation Network server, but rather entirely dependent upon other individuals that are gaming within same game lobbies.  If a host overloads their connection and is attempting to download too many files (depending on their connection speed) while simultaneously hosting a gaming party of say 8 or 12, then the remainder of the users are forced to migrate (after a period of excessive lagging ensues).

COBRA Says:  Makes no sense to pay.  It’s a forced service now.  System should be renamed to the Paystation.  Certainly they’ve restricted your right to Play and even the network is a joke with it’s utter inconsistencies.  I mean shit, we just want to play some Team Deathmatch for christ sakes right?

The PlayStation Network also doesn’t host the games as many would think.  You are essentially required to use your own network in order to play.  Meaning you have to have your own personal internet connection in order to connect and you have to have a fast enough connection in order to host.  The only benefits of having the PlayStation Network are to the coffers of the shareholders and executives of Sony as they are able to reap immense profits for what is essentially the same exact product.

The game play functionality and online access is almost the exact same format and the exact same result.  The differences between the PS3’s free online game play and the PS4’s forced online game play is this.  You have to pay more money in order to play a game you already paid for, on a system that you’ve already paid for and on an internet connection that you’ve already paid for.  Sheesh…  In a nutshell, it was a new digital method for Sony to obtain vast profits.  It should be noted that they aren’t the only ones that charge either as XBox and other gaming consoles all also offer the same exact thing.  The difference is that the XBox servers actually support the gaming environment whereas it appears that Sony’s simply do not.

As of this writing, March 17th, 2018 at 2:00PM E.S.T. there is yet another massive PlayStation Network outage effecting a large portion of the United States as well as European countries.  This outage prevents any subscribers from being able to access their PlayStation Plus accounts in any facet.

According to the popular website www.downdetector.com.  The PlayStation Network has received additional reports that show a growing number of issues that just continue to occur with the Networking features.  These issues stem from predominantly Sign-In issues and Game-Play to even issues with the PlayStation Store.  The map and chart below demonstrates some of issues that users from around the world have documented in the past 24 hours regarding the PlayStation Network.

The History Of Issues

The Sony PlayStation Network has been plagued with a host of issues ranging from success hacking attempts to outright outages due to internal failures within their networking.  Here’s a brief history of those issues.

• In 2011 the Sony PlayStation Network experienced an outage due to external intrusion which saw approximately 77 million accounts compromised. At the time this was one of the largest data security breaches in history. The service was taken offline on April 20th, 2011 and didn’t become fully functional until May 14th, 2011.
• In 2012 there was an estimated 1,273 outages reported at one time or another the network.
• In 2013 there was an estimated 1,982 outages reported at one time or another the network.
• In 2014 there was an estimated 2,382 outages reported at one time or another the network.
• In 2015 there was an estimated 783 outages reported at one time or another across the network.
• In 2016 there was an estimated 3,910 outages reported at one time or another the network.
• In 2017 there was an estimated 1,888 outages reported at one time or another the network.
• In 2018 there was an estimated 655 outages reported at one time or another across the network.
• On March 15th, 2018, there were 7 outages reported at one time or another across the network.
• On March 16th, 2018, there were 11 outages reported at one time or another across the network.
• On March 17th,  2018, there were more than 100 reports of outages across the network with many still persisting as of this writing.

So is the Sony PlayStation Network the largest service scam in modern history?  With more than 100 million subscribers all paying months and yearly fee’s for a service that is consistently failing.  Failing with lagging, failing with hacking, failing with forceful pay.  It’s a mass manipulator market, one that’s unregulated, one that’s had freedom to roam and one that should be analyzed from a new digital era perspective.  Why force people to pay for something that isn’t even as promised, especially when they essentially don’t need it?

The Bottom Line:  Sony should be ashamed of itself.  Forcing it’s users to pay for a failing Network that continuously disrupts access to it’s clients.  In addition, throughout all of the hackings and other related issues with the network, gamers are required to consistently fork up the cash or be disconnected from their favorite games.  Where’s the refunds for horrible service folks?

SCUMBAGGED Tip:  If you don’t want to pay for online game play, you can always use PC games and invest into a gaming console.  It makes no sense to have to pay for an internet subscription as well as a PS4 Network subscription when you’re in reality going to get the same exact service as you would without the Network (if not better).