It came as sobering news that PlayStation Network, the last remnant of the era of free online systems (Steam notwithstanding), would be going to pay-to-play with the advent of PlayStation 4. Indeed, a PlayStation Plus subscription is required for the lion's share of PS4 multiplayer functionality, making the service required in all but name. Sonys decision heralds the dawning of a new age, one unsustainable without extra padding, perhaps in the form of $5 monthly. Thankfully, a few bucks a month is, for most, easy to swallow. Its hardly a change from the previous console generation, and both Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus throw enough rewards at subscribers to keep most happy. However, this is a pill easily made bitters by extra fees: look at Elder Scrolls Online, currently available for PC and, eventually, for new consoles. Its no grand secret that it follows the MMO gold standard of a $15 monthly subscription. On one hand, If anything, this invites a sigh from PC players familiar with the business model. On the other, the console consumers general reaction to a second monthly subscription can be expected to be nothing short of abhorrence. With so many gamesThe Division, Destiny, and even a potential console version of Guild Wars 2pushing the jump to online-centric play, theres concerning room for multiplicative subscriptions. PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live would buckle under the weight of one or, dare I say it, two game fees, in turn losing players. So, looking forward, the option not requiring the erection of a second paywall should be at the top of the pile.