Back in early January, Sony began something of a mudslinging campaign against its competitors, accusing them of peddling "add-ons" and attempting to tout the virtues of the PlayStation 3 to all who would listen. Unfortunately for them, it seems most people were not pleased with the tactic.

Now they're at it once again, this time targeting one specific aspect of the Xbox 360: The $50 price tag for Xbox Live. And it's hard to argue that you can indeed get some good stuff for that $50, rather than just the privilege of being able to play online and download demos a week early.

"Rather than paying a $50 subscription fee that competitors charge for on-line services, PlayStation Network users could put that money towards a variety of content," the company claims. What could you get?

* PAIN ($9.99)
* Elefunk ($4.99)
* Guitar Hero Classic Rock Track ($6.25)
* LittleBigPlanet™ Metal Gear Solid® - Level Kit ($5.99)
* Episode of Afro Samurai | Season 1 ($1.99)
* The Dark Knight Movie ($14.99)
* Samurai Sword Rack, Diesel Tiamallo Blue Hooded Top, Ligne Roset Alster Chair for PlayStation Home ($4.47)

-or-

* Super Street Fighter® II Turbo HD Remix ($14.99)
* Burnout™ Paradise (Full Retail Game) ($19.99)
* The Hoff Character for PAIN ($1.99)
* LittleBigPlanet™ Ryu of Street Fighter® II ($1.99)
* Robot Trooper and Basketball Boots for PlayStation Home ($.98)
* Savage Moon ($9.99) -- Sony, via Ars Technica

AT notes that they would ditch the Home furniture and add Everyday Shooter, among other changes, but that the argument remains compelling just the same.

Sony doesn't offer as much as Xbox Live does, and maybe it never will, but the fact is the service is free. You don't have to pay to play PS3 games online, and you could put that $50 to better use actually buying games.

Even with an expensive system, this is a good talking point. Why not buy games instead of a service? -- Ars Technica

Why not indeed? Any thoughts?