An interesting detail emerged from an interview with Sony’s Jim Ryan by a Russian news agency: Sony seems to be preparing an answer to Microsoft Game Pass.
The Game Pass is without question one of the main arguments that make buying an Xbox worthwhile. And Microsoft continues to strive to make the service more and more attractive with the latest games right at the launch. Sony has since expected a comparable offer for the PlayStation – with little prospect. Until now!
Sony seems to be able to ignore the Game Pass no longer. Opposite the Russian news agency TASS Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan said in an interesting way about his company’s plans. In addition to the challenges of releasing a console in the midst of a pandemic, Ryan was asked about the competition between Sony and Microsoft and how the PlayStation would differ.
Console war is not a term he ever uses or likes. For Ryan it is great that there is compet ition. He thinks it makes everyone work harder and prevents them from becoming complacent. It’s great that consumers have a choice. When asked directly whether Sony would react to the popular Game Pass, the SIE CEO dropped the key statement: “There will indeed be news, but not today. We have PlayStation Now, our subscription service, which is available in numerous markets .
His vague statement leaves room for interpretation, but the PlayStation Plus Collection should not be meant, as it is only a bonus for PlayStation Plus. So is Sony’s own version of the Game Pass coming at some point? If so, you shouldn’t expect first-party titles to be available on the day of release like Microsoft’s. The company has identified this practice as unsustainable and believes this type of game is too special to offer through subscription. For some, this may be an unsatisfactory, if not complacent, attitude.