If you pay for something, you expect to get it.
Whether it’s a good or a service, people expect the end result to equal the amount paid — even though the payment is usually higher.
But what if you don’t pay for something? Should you still expect the same quality of a similar product others do pay for?
This question has sparked online debates, as well as in real life when it comes to video game consoles.
Some claim the Xbox 360 is the best because of its superior, well-established online infrastructure. Others say PlayStation 3 is the best because of its Blu-ray capabilities and free-to-play online network.
While both are valid points, when it comes to online gaming, sometimes you get what you pay for.
Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN) has allowed all users to go online and play games with others around the world free since the system’s launch in 2006.
That doesn’t include the newly formed PlayStation Plus, which gives users early access to demos and free games for $60 a year.
Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE service has cost users $50 per year since its release until last fall when the yearly cost went up to $60.
Despite what fanboys may cry out, Xbox LIVE does trump PSN when it comes to both function and the online population.
Sure, it comes with a cost, but the annual fee is worth the ability to play against some of the best talent online.
Plus, Xbox LIVE is stable — unlike what can be said about PSN.
As someone who likes to play online games, dealing with PSN can be infuriating.
Ridiculous load times, unstable connection, sporadic downtimes — but what should I expect? It’s free.
Yet those who rely on such an unreliable network to get their online “Call of Duty” or “SOCOM 4” on have been a little outraged at Sony for the past week considering PSN has been brought down.
That’s right — Sony’s entire online gaming network has been cut off for nearly two weeks, leaving many gamers shaking their DualShocks in disgust.
At first, the company tried to cover up the downtime as “maintenance issues.”
While rumors and speculation were flying around concerning the true cause of the downtime, Sony did nothing but deny any claims and stick to their maintenance excuse.
On Monday, however, Sony’s communication boss, Patrick Seybold, revealed the downtime has come from hackers, not maintenance issues.
“An external intrusion on our system has affected our PlayStation Network and Qriocity services. In order to conduct a thorough investigation and to verify the smooth and secure operation of our network services going forward, we turned off PlayStation Network & Qriocity services on the evening of Wednesday, April 20,” Seybold said.
While that may seem like a nerve-calming statement, gaming site Kotaku reported Monday that Sony is still unsure if users’ credit card information is safe.
And, Sony is still unsure of a fix.
Now there’s a problem.
It’s one thing for people to be upset because they can’t play “SOCOM 4” online — although their real rage should come from the fact they own “SOCOM 4.” It’s another thing to put people’s money and personal information on the line.
A friend who manages a local video game store told me earlier this week someone was planning to trade in his PS3 because of this security intrusion.
Luckily, I don’t have my credit card information stored on my PSN account, but those who do should check their bank accounts frequently while writing angry letters to Sony.
There is simply no excuse for this mess.
If Sony’s Public Relations’ team doesn’t start offering free games or free PlayStation Plus to subscribers, it could soon be dealing with some seriously enraged fanboys.
But this time, it won’t be the Xbox 360 lovers.
 
Adam Arinder is a 21-year-old communication studies senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_aarinder.
 
Contact Adam Arinder at
[email protected]