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Sony will stick to its tried and trusted strategy, and will not devalue its first-party content by adding it to its subscription service PS Plus upon launch.
The manufacturer was under intense pressure at the start of this generation to follow Microsoft’s splashy Xbox Game Pass model, which includes mammoth first-party titles like DOOM: The Dark Ages at launch.
But according to US analyst Circana, the subscription segment has stagnated, and it’s had an undeniable impact on software sales across the entire Xbox product family.
Microsoft has subsequently started porting its entire portfolio to platforms like the PS5, with many of its major franchises like Gears of War Reloaded now launching day-and-date on Sony’s system.
Sony, who always maintained the model was “unsustainable”, is unsurprisingly reluctant to change course.
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“We’ve sort of stayed true to our strategy across the board, where we’re not looking to put games in day and date,” said PlayStation’s services bigwig Nick Maguire in an interview with GameFile.
That doesn’t mean it’s not committed to increasing the quality of its service, however – especially at the more expensive PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium tiers. Members will be aware there have been a number of day-one third-party releases recently, including the critically acclaimed Blue Prince.
“Our strategy of finding four or five independent day-and-date titles – and using that to complement our strategy of bringing games in when they’re 12, 18 months old or older – that balance for us is working really well across the platform,” Maguire continued.
He did further clarify that the “four or five” day one releases is not set in stone, and the company would consider doing more if the opportunities presented themselves.
To be honest, we think time has shown Sony’s decision to not include first-party software as the right strategy.
While there is undeniable value to Xbox Game Pass, it appeals to a very specific type of gamer, which is interested in having a broad selection of content available at all times.
The reality is that gaming is not a passive form of entertainment like music and television, so most gamers prefer to purchase the games they specifically want to play outright, rather than subscribe to an enormous library of titles they may not necessarily ever touch.
But what do you think? Is this the right direction for Sony to take, or are you frustrated that it’s failed to match Microsoft’s value offering with Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source gamefile.news]
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As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.