Sony Is More Concerned With Selling PS5s Than Subscriptions

The many ways Sony puts limitations on PlayStation Plus for PC and PS4 users exhibits a strange lack of confidence in the value of the PS5 console.

[jonny897]

A company wants to sell its new console. This is the traditional way, it has been the same since Amstrad and Atari days. Microsoft is highly profitable now (Azure and Office 365). They can follow a different strategy, they can spend billions and also lose money without spooking their investors.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

This^^

Xbox is backed by the sales from THE most popular software in the world for offices.

Sony is backed by a much smaller volume of electronics hardware sales.

This impacts strategies.

[Eonjay]

TLDR:

He is saying, I think, that Sony needs to release less PS5 exclusives and more PC ports. I think he is saying that PS5 is a limitation to Sony chasing Gamepass (because apparently thats all Sony should do now is chase GP). PlayStation is still the number one company in gaming. They didn't get to that place simply by chasing subscriptions.

"Though streaming is far from a perfect solution, PS Plus could just as easily allow PC and PS4 users to stream PS5 games like Returnal and the Demon’s Souls - both in PS Plus' higher tiers. The inclusion of current-gen exclusives benefits PS5 owners, but specifically snubs subscribers who play on PS4 or PC." - Said no one ever but ScreenRant

[darthv72]

Dont forget their movie, music and tv divisions.

[OptimusDK]

Subscription is not equal to streaming

[purple101]

Didn't Sony change the way we perceive music with the Walkman. (Tape player ) before this it was records on a big system at home only. Think they deserve some credit for that, we're not as big as what Microsoft has done, they're still plenty innovative.

[Crows90]

Well.. i for one prefer the strategy that gives the games. So far Sony has had that in spades. Microsoft has struggled for years. They had to buy out a bunch of studios to try and fix that problem.

Not a single Microsoft owned studio has created a popular new IP like since the begining of Xbox.

[alb1899]

Yep but you can't keep thinking the same way as you did 40 years ago because everything has changed.
The near future is subscription, make no mistakes.

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

And that's exactly what I'm afraid of. A future where you as the consumer have no control over what you purchase.

[Crows90]

Nope. The future is higher quality games. Sony is at the forefront in that department. Nintendo has its moments. Microsoft's is playing catch-up but ran out of gas and decided to just give up and buyout a bunch of IP.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Netflix is hemorrhaging subscribers so I don't think you can make that assumption.

[Godmars290]

Only MS concerned with selling hardware. As a software company they never have. That may not have exactly been true mid 360 to XB1 and Kinect era, but still it was all about subscriptions. Now they're trying to move on to streaming, make Xbox an app playable on phones and TVs.

[Godmars290]

"Has *NEVER* been concerned"

"MS has *NEVER* been concerned with selling hardware"

Why/how do I keep doing that...

[Jin_Sakai]

Obviously, you need the consoles out there to support the subscriptions.

[Shane Kim]

Of course not. They can make PlayStation Network an app on phones and TV's and stream games. This is the route these companies are heading. No more hassle of dealing with hardware.

[Godmars290]

Sony tried years ago and it crashed and burned. They lack the funds to keep doing it.

Not true of MS though. They've yet to make Xbox that much of a money sink.

[Crows90]

Networks aren't there yet. Latency isn't there yet. So no. Nothing will ever beat playing natively. Not until a brand new technology is invented.

[Class_Viceroy]

Obviously you don't have any clue that GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming do not have native apps on the Apple Store.

And on top of that, go play Horizon Forbidden West on a PS5, then go play Halo Infinite on your tablet streaming. While streaming is 100% awesome (I use it all the time), no streaming compares to the native experience on playing on these new consoles. FOR NOW, the consoles are going to be the best support for the subscriptions. Next generation might very well be different

[onisama]

make sense for PS and thatshalf true for microsoft as they have windows to support their GP strategy but they still need console sells as console players are more intrested in GP

[ChasterMies]

PS+ costs less than GamePass. Which company is more committed to gaining subscribers?

[alb1899]

It cost less because offer much less. New games day one is just unbeatable.

[Eonjay]

It cost less because Microsoft doesn't offer a yearly subscription at a lower price like Sony.

[Aloymetal]

''New games day one is just unbeatable.''
You forgot to include ''for xbox fans'' at the end of that phrase.
Have you seen the endless articles about software/games record profits every quarter from publishers?
PlayStation is always at the top of their lists.
The already 6yr old ''unbeatable'' service hasn't turned any tables for xbox, they're still last on hardware sales, software sales (obviously), market share and popularity around the globe.

[DarXyde]

Quantity over quality, I guess...

Not looking to debate these services—I don't like the idea of either of them. I think I can tolerate the existence of the new Playstation Plus more, if only a little, precisely BECAUSE it doesn't do day one.

Saving money is cool, but if that comes at the cost of first party quality? Absolutely not interested. It's genuinely confounding to me that anyone is still open to the blatant digitization/subscription/lice nsing of everything without proper game preservation mechanisms in place.

"You will own nothing and be happy."

EDIT: and before there is any mention of inflation is crazy and this is the only way to afford games... keep in mind that this hobby is a luxury, and has always been expensive to maintain.

[notachance]

Well I prefer my subscription has masterpiece titles like God of War, Demon’s Souls, and Spider-Man even if it’s 1-2 years late rather than.. idk man forza horizon is the only worthy game I can think of, some “day one” lol.

[shinoff2183]

Sontmy said no 1st party day ones. Doesnt mean other 1st day games wont be on there. Yall trippin. Game for game i think plus is better. Couple games im interested in on xbox are from bethesada. I wouldnt touch those on day one any way. Ive made that mistake before with their games.

[alb1899]

MS bought a lot of studios but it takes time to make good AAA games so I think we will see the product of this studios by next year. For now I'm very happy with the approach because even when the first party have not games yet, MS buys some third party day one that pays the monthly pay.
No just the XBOX fans are happy with the Gamepass, the Gamepass is the subscription in videogames with more grow overall.

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

It would be unbeatable if those day one games are actually worth a damn...

[andy85]

It isn't really much less any more. Gamepass is still better as it does offer day one (although there's hardly any of note). But there's a hell of a lot of value on the PS side and adding Stray day one is hope for more in the future.

[SurgicalMenace]

Having a catalog that their community is willing to pay full price for is priceless. How many of those "day ones" would you buy if full price was the only option? PSP is perfect for us who buy everything; it allows some of the indies to be included while we focus on purchasing the big releases. Simple

[Petebloodyonion]

I could point out that PS+ offers way more games (at least twice more) versus Gamepass and that is only Ps4/Ps5 titles.

@ Aloymetal
"Have you seen the endless articles about software/games record profits every quarter from publishers?
PlayStation is always at the top of their lists."
You mean Nintendo software right?
Why is it that everybody forgets about Nintendo?

[badz149]

What's these "unbeatable" day 1 releases GP had this year?

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

And what new games have come to Gamepass day 1 since this gen began? Lay all the cards on the table instead of using talking points.

[IRetrouk]

It offers over double the games....what are you talking about🤣
Day 1 means nothing untill ms actually get their finger out.

[Class_Viceroy]

@alb1899 I mean they've had Shadow Warrior 3 and Stray in 2 months. They've already started the Day One process and it's only going to grow

[VenomCarnage89]

@Alb1899
Is it really that hard to comprehend that "new games day one" means next to nothing when they aren't releasing new games in the first place?
Like if Sony was first party day one, that would be a major headline. Microsoft first party day one just don't hit the same and we all know it

[shinoff2183]

Idk how people are missing that.What 1st party games have they released day one this year. Halo and forza eh. They have 3rd party day ones right now and stray shows that sony is willing to pay for day one games just not their own. I cant hate on that. Sonys 1st party are typically a1

[Knushwood Butt]

@ shinoff

Halo Infinite - December 8, 2021
Forza Horizon 5 - November 9, 2021

[Eonjay]

More than likely the concern themselves with selling both. Because logic.

[EvertonFC]

Who writes this shite

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

Oh know, I can’t play PS5 games on PC, what an assbackwards system!

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

It’s hilarious that since Xbox hasn’t had an enviable exclusive for over a decade, their base seems to feel entitled to getting the PS games they turned away from available on PC for them.

That’s not how consoles and IPs work. Pick a horse to bet on, or buy both consoles to bet on both, and accept the outcome. Plenty of people expected Microsoft’s decade drought. Only fanboys and casual gamers were blind to what has come to pass.

They couldn’t milk Halo and Gears forever. I knew that. Just like I knew PS wouldn’t release an exclusive that could compete with Halo 1-3’s multiplayer (MAG came close, IMO). Even with Bungie’s acquisition, I doubt Sony will dethrone that king. If anything, Factions might allow PS to compete with M$’ general shooter base (at least until IW straightens out CoD to be a proper flagship franchise again, which I’m sure it will manage with their planned hiatus.)

[GamingSinceForever]

Wait what???

[moriarty1889]

As it should be. Consoles should always be valued before a sub service. I admire Sony for sticking with the traditional business model and pushing hardware before subs or services. It is why they continue to do exceedingly well every gen imo. Also, what’s the point of subs if you don’t believe enough in getting your console in the hands of as many customers as possible? This is why Sony will always do well and lead in the industry aside from the great AAA exclusives they continue to make to go with their hardware.

[Aloymetal]

Yeah, just keep doing what you've been doing for the past 27 yrs.

[Hofstaderman]

As they should be. Stick to your core business and keep the blockbuster games coming. The rest will take care of itself as it has since 1994

[shinoff2183]

I swear ive seen in the last year or so so many ways these sites have tried to give sony a black eye.

Wtf is going on. They killed them for the online thing where xbox and ps players play together(even though ms killed it some years ago on 360 then got trounced by ps4 so of course they were game then) now this. Of course sony should be more worried about ps5 and i couldnt be happier.

Plus is a nice addition but its not my main attraction. Its the games. Sony has imo better games then the other 2

[crazyCoconuts]

This article assumes Sony is restricting streaming of PS5 games on order to protect PS5 sales. It fails to recognize the technical limitation of Sony having to rack up modded PS5s in data centers all over the world to support that feature. Big cost and doing it during a chip shortage doesn't make sense. Hell, it might not even make good business sense without a chip shortage, see Stadia, nVidia, etc.

[Petebloodyonion]

And again like usual, the crowd goes straight into the comment section turning it into the Evil Xbox vs the good Playstation without actually taking 5 min to read the article they are commenting on.

Perhaps ppl should...I don't know... read the article and read the arguments for his opinion like how PS4 users pay the exact same price but can't access all the features and games (like not having access to the PlayStation plus collection).

or how Sony didn't mind (with PS Now) letting PPL stream PS4 games to PC/tablets (when it was selling only the Ps4)
but won't allow Ps5 games to be streamed.
Again, Sony had zero problems with PS NOW users not having a PS4 back then.

The author reflects that Sony could unlock Ps5 games (via stream) or Allow PC users to install PC versions of games thus bringing more value to the service for all consumers but instead decide to lock many things incentivizing ppl into getting a PS5 to get the most of PS+.

In the end, the article isn't a Gamepass versus PS+ but just how both companies operate in different ways with their subscription service (Remember the ire about Phil Spencer's comment about he doesn't care on what system you play an Xbox game)

[ApocalypseShadow]

You don't need to read a click bait article to gather hits to know it's nonsense. Why waste time? There isn't even an argument to consider when it's trash. And screenrant is showing how trashy their site is with articles like this.

Sony has for years shown that a subscription or streaming is an option to the consumer. Not their primary business. It makes money and they're happy. But they make tons making quality games that sell. They have shown for years that selling great hardware and software WORKS. To deny that is ignorance.

PS5 is a new console they want you to save for and value its content. Why ruin that by allowing streams to PC of its games? That hurts the value of PS5 if you don't need to buy it to play its games. How many gamers would but Nintendo Switch if you could stream all its games on other devices? It's like the sun has given some gamers a stroke and loss of brain cells.

The reason other subscriptions or companies are mentioned is because Sony's competitor acts like they don't care to sell hardware when that's a lie. They hide sales because they continue to get their ass kicked. In order to play anything, you need hardware. And as others have said, why would Sony bulk up with PS5 based server farms when they can just sell the console to gamers where the quality of playing is higher than a stream over the Internet. Playing a streamed game isn't better than local. And Sony values local gaming over streaming because the games are at their best. And not everyone in the world has Internet or good Internet.

We also see that Sony's current model makes money every month. Enough that they continue to be in the better position even after their competitor spent billions just to get into third position. Third party companies also benefit from Sony's hardware sales. From, Capcom, Square, Ubisoft, etc sell more content on Sony's hardware.

It's like you guys want to sabotage Sony's position and bottom line by continuing to push bullshit when their competitor has never won a generation. Who's subscription model and streaming hasn't changed their position in the market at all. The only thing helping them is chip shortages.

[Petebloodyonion]

Then why comment on an article (especially an opinion piece) if you don't take the time to actually read the arguments of the person making the opinion piece?

Now I won't go into a debate with you because I mostly agree with you about how Sony operates PS+ and also for the simple fact that, if you took the time to read the article, you would have found out that the author is basically giving most of your arguments to explain his conclusion.

And why should I care about how Sony/Nintendo/MS are doing financially or who's on top? Do you care about the position of your Internet provider? Your Phone Company, Is your car ranked #1, etc.
But what I do care about is what is offered to me for the asking price.
Now I do love Gamepass and guess what? I do find the PS+ extra tier a great offering for the asking price and I am really enjoying the trophy idea for the old games and I'm currently playing Returnal (when I'm not playing Evil Dead).

[Mandingo2020]

Walk into your local electronics store and see if they are in stock. Oh but they in stock on stockx and eBay 😂

[gold_drake]

getting more ps5 out is a good thing lol and not a strange lack of confidence, wtf lol

[derek]

First of all the writer assumes the new ps plus subscription model limits its ability to attract subscribers without any proof that there has been a slower than expected uptake. We will know soon enough when Sony releases is financials and unlike Microsoft is likely to provide hard data on how the new model is working in terms of subscriptions.
Second it would be nice for a change if these authors would challenge some of their own reasoning as to why company x makes some of the decisions they make.

[Orchard]

Outdated thinking, that’s what it is.

But they’re slowly but surely heading in the subscription, games everywhere & live service direction.

[derek]

@Orchard being outdated or not has nothing to do with it. Sony can't slash their bottom line in pursuit of profits they wouldn't see for several years if ever. Playstation is to important to Sony's financials to justify such a move they would get killed by shareholders when the profits started taking a hit. Nobody cares about xbox in relation to Microsofts bottom line, it just doesn't matter, so they can take bigger risks.

[Elda]

Won't be seeing brand newly released PS AAA exclusives on subscriptions everywhere. Sony's sub-service is basically a service to play classic games with a current indie thrown in there. Sony wants to sell consoles including newly released AAA exclusives along with AAA multi-plats physically & digitally first & foremost.

[Neofire]

What a crazy title. Why the hell wouldn't they want to sell consoles and who cares about PC. It isn't Sony's job to put games or "subscription" on the PC to make y'all feel better lol.

If you want subscriptions Microsoft has you covered. Sony needs to get the PS5 in the hands of more people so that the communities in these games can but adequately populated.

[Neofire]

Ah now I get why this article is up, the dude basically wants Sony to ignore the ps5 and push all their games and services over to PC 🤣

[TheGreatGazoo30]

Some companies have to be brought kicking and screaming I tithe future. Some people on Microsofts board and prominent investors wanted Satya fired when he announced he wanted to move office to a subscription model. Now MS is a 2 trillion dollar company. Subscriptions are great for businesses and consumers when done right.

[z2g]

conversely, xbox is selling more series S|X consoles because of subscriptions.

[anast]

As much as I talk on Nintendo, they make games that hit a huge base. Their sub-service sucks. Sony has been making cultural defining games and their sub-service is mediocre. Xbox does not make above average games nor do they publish them, so they need a sub-service with a big 3rd party library.

[ARESWARLORD]

Sony's made big changes this generation and I'm quite happy to see them dropping all of their games onto the PC.

The more people that get to play a game the better.

It's the absolute only reason that developers create them

[XiNatsuDragnel]

This is the difference I support, consoles > sub in my opinion

[_Decadent_Descent]

Then put them in stores.

[SeTTriP]

There are still alot of ps5 to be sold (110m-120m life time) so they're exclusive has alot of legs i would not put them on a subscription service just yet.

Ms don't have games (their i said it) so its in they're best interest to change the narrative.Ms threw they're best punch with the 360 and it got them nowhere (inflated rrod sales did not steal market share from sony).Ms was chasing ps now Ms wants ps to chase subscription service for validation of said service and Sony ain't dumb.Ps is the market leader so you have to take the belt not just be in the ring trying to win by decision.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

So the author understands that subscriptions aren't guaranteed, but selling licenses and collecting fees from selling more games (digitally and physically) is guaranteed when you get more consoles into the hands of gamers? Obviously. Just look at Netflix. They are losing subscribers year after year.

[Elda]

Selling consoles & exclusive games along with multi-plats physically & digitally first & foremost basically sums it up.

[IRetrouk]

Because for sony the console is still important?

[SDuck]

I'd be admired if they managed to sell more subscriptions than consoles

[spambot0815]

subs can be bots, therefor harware sales count more.

[TheGreatGazoo30]

Why would a bot buy a subscription? Also, why would a company care if a boy purchased a subscription?

[spambot0815]

stock- or addpushing by selling subscribernumbers for example.

[TheGreatGazoo30]

@spambot0815

Thats not how GamePass works. If a bot purchased a subscription, there is nothing they can do except download games for free. GamePass subscribers don't have a secret chat or feed where they could push disinformation.

[RaiderNation]

As they should. I believe that Sony sees subscriptions as a supplemental revenue stream for PlayStation, where MS sees them as their primary revenue stream for Xbox. Different approaches. Neither of them are "wrong".

[Germaximus]

I don't believe that when they just keep making their games available on PC.

[Montrealien]

What a shocking twist of events. A hardware manufacturer wants to sell more hardware.