In 2024, the value of video game subscription services such as PlayStation Plus has become even more of a topic of considerable debate. The recent 30% price increase across all tiers of PlayStation Plus, with the highest tier now costing $160 annually, has prompted questions about the service’s worth. This rise in cost is not exclusive to Sony, as Microsoft also raised the price of its Game Pass membership. In an industry burgeoning with subscription options, assessing the real value of these services becomes crucial.
Reflecting on the early days of gaming, when purchasing each game individually was the norm, the advent of PS Plus and Game Pass marked a significant shift. The services offered an easier and more cost-effective way to access a wide range of games. However, the recent price hikes have raised concerns about whether these services continue to offer good value for money.
While price increases for services like PS Plus are expected, the justification for such hikes is crucial. Despite its higher price, Xbox Game Pass has been perceived as offering superior benefits compared to PS Plus, thanks to its impressive game library. The issue with Sony’s service is the lack of substantial offerings following the price increase, leading to significant backlash. This discontent was further fueled by a perceived decline in the quality of games offered in the months following the price hike.
In response to the criticism, Sony appears to be improving its lineup, as evidenced by the inclusion of titles such as A Plague Tale: Requiem and Grand Theft Auto V in recent updates. This move suggests a shift in the right direction, but many believe Sony still needs to add more value to justify the increased cost. The addition of a movie rental service, Sony Pictures Core, was met with skepticism, as it diverged from the core gaming focus of PS Plus.
Interestingly, a leaked slide confirms most PS Plus subscribers are subscribed to its most expensive tier: Premium.
The numbers might have encouraged Sony to double down on adding more value-added services to the priciest PS Plus variant, with the improved quality of offerings trickling down to Essential and Extra subscribers. But, it’s important to be more skeptical about such data. Most current PS Plus Premium subscribers were grandfathered into the priciest service as a result of an active PS Now subscription at the time of the revamp. Because of this, many didn pay as much and likely won’t have to for the next year or two if not longer.
If the latter is true, we’ll have a better idea of the split between Essential, Extra, and Premium PS Plus subscribers if we’ll get a chance to look at an updated version of a similar slide in the future.
Ultimately, the comparison with Xbox Game Pass is inevitable, particularly as it plans to add major titles on day one. To compete, PS Plus needs to offer similarly impactful content, although Sony probably won’t ever consider including its exclusive titles on Day One. The good news is that PS Plus isn’t as inferior to Game Pass as expected in terms of value despite this unique stance.
While PS Plus has taken steps to improve its offerings, there remains plenty of room for further enhancement. It must continue to evolve and adapt to remain competitive in the ever-changing landscape of gaming subscriptions.
As we move further into 2024, it will be interesting to see how Sony addresses these challenges and whether PS Plus can continue to attract and retain its subscriber base.
