Sony Worldwide Studios chief, Shuhei Yoshida, says that free services are the way forward for PSP and PS3. Good man!

“We like to provide as many services as possible for free - we already provide our network access for gameplay for free - and the interesting thing about the network side and the internet business is that there’s a variety of revenue sources, not necessarily getting people to pay, but with advertising and so on,” he revealed to gamesindustry.biz at the recent Leipzig Games Convention, adding “Those are things we’re looking at, and learning how we can provide a service without people having to pay.

Of course Yoshida’s words don’t necessarily represent company policy on such matters, but we’re certainly appreciating the cut of the fella’s jib so far. However, would you be happy with free services if it meant your gaming experience was cluttered with in-your-face ads and unsubtle product placements forever more? We’re not so sure. Then again we’re not so sure every time our Xbox LIVE Gold subscription reminder arrives.

Whatever the case somebody’s gotta pay – and it’s certainly not going to be Sony! Meantime Microsoft may want to watch how Sony’s strategy develops.