Source: Sony’s PlayStation Underground newsletter.

What we heard: As was the case last year, the E3 Media & Business Summit was relatively light on exciting news on upcoming products from the Big Three--Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo. It wasn’t entirely devoid, however. As part of Sony’s press conference, the PS3 maker revealed Zipper Interactive’s MAG, an ambitious online military shooter that promises to challenge the current standards of massive, open backgrounds with 256-player matches.

Aside from a few bits of top-level information--such as the aforementioned large battlegrounds with a full color spectrum of players as well as an involved ranking mechanic--and an enticing trailer, Sony has been fairly tight-lipped about the online shooter. This week, however, more information, including a possible pricing structure may have surfaced, courtesy of gaming blog The Bitbag.

The gaming blog claims to have obtained a PlayStation Underground survey that seeks to measure gamers’ interest in pricing structures for "an all-new shooter that is sure to revolutionize the way you play with lots of gamers." Bitbag did not obtain screen captures of the survey itself, but did post the original e-mail (pictured) urging recipients to take the survey. As recalled by the blogger, the survey "asked at least 15 questions related to payment plans for the game," with queries related to yearly and monthly fees as well as microtransactions.

It should be noted that Zipper Interactive’s online shooter isn’t explicitly mentioned in the e-mail. However, language describing the particulars of the game strongly resembles that which was used to promote MAG during Sony’s E3 press event. Specifically, the e-mail mentions players’ ability to either fight as part of a squad or assume the role of a general calling in airstrikes or deploying reinforcements, and otherwise directing action on the battlefield.

Assuming that the game in question is MAG, and that Sony goes through with charging a subscription fee for the online shooter, it would be a first for the PlayStation Network, which has been heretofore free of charge. The subscription-based business model for online games isn’t a stranger to Sony, however. In March, Sony Computer Entertainment brought Sony Online Entertainment into its organization, wresting control of the division from Sony Pictures. SOE is the purveyor of such subscription-supported massively multiplayer online games as EverQuest, Star Wars Galaxies, and Vanguard: Saga of Heroes.

The official story: Sony had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Too early to say. Even if this e-mail proves to be entirely fraudulent, it’s likely that Sony is weighing its options. But as the game isn’t slated to arrive until next year, MAG’s pricing structure is far from nailed down.

By TomM_GScom