It's not a secret that Microsoft and Sony pay a premium for the Xbox Game Pass and the PlayStation Pass, respectively. But, both companies are so secretive about the amount that it spends on each service. However, the occasional slip-up does happen and it provides plenty of insight into the economics of the PS Plus and the Game Pass.
For example, ARK: Survival Evolved cost Sony and Microsoft millions earlier this year.
In a recent filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by Snail Games USA, the owners of Studio Wildcard, the developers of ARK, it is indicated that Sony paid $3.5 million to get the game on the PS Plus. In comparison, Microsoft paid $2.5 million to add ARK to the Game Pass.
It's interesting that Microsoft paid less for ARK than Sony, but there could be a good reason for it. Microsoft already had an existing agreement to make ARK available on the Game Pass since 2019. This deal was supposed to end last year but Microsoft extended it in June 2020. Still, $2.5 million for a popular game like ARK in perpetuity is a bargain, especially since it includes the sequel for at least three years from its launch for just $2.3 million more. On the other hand, Sony paid a $1 million premium to make ARK available on the PS Plus as one of its freebies in March.