Topic: PlayStation 5 --OT--

How much does it cost to run a studio a month? Wages of the staff team, utilities (electric, water etc), office space rent etc. I doubt that's $1m a month but for the sake of argument, lets put it at $1m a month. That means that Game Pass is sustaining ALL the studio's making games and bringing in a guaranteed income that is pretty sustainable as long as new games keep those subscribers.

That also means that they don't actually have to sell ANY copies at all therefore no pressure to a 'commercially' successful game. Its 'success' can be measured by player engagement, by increasing subscribers etc instead of actual sales. Devs themselves have spoken about being thrilled to have such high player engagement and game sales don't really matter because they will of been paid a salary anyway. There is more 'security' for them because Game Pass is bringing in more money per month than the cost to keep their studio open and not reliant on Game Sales to keep them going through the next game and the next game...

This is why Microsoft stated they don't need to sell games on PS5. Its a self sustaining model. Of course they will still sell games on top of Game Pass for those that prefer to buy their games but they are not reliant on 'profit' from sales to reinvest into the next game.

Whether its good for consumers, I guess that really depends on perspective. Personally, I think it is in the long run and good value too. MS isn't concerned whether they sell more Consoles than Sony and the console is just one 'Xbox' platform - Xbox being the entire MS gaming division. They are not making games specifically for a console to sell a console and reliant on that to keep their gaming division profitable like Sony or Nintendo. They also need to cater to all their PC and now Android gamers too and Xbox is much more than just the hardware.

It may not be sustainable if you only have one platform, 1 source of subscriptions coming in and the 'dent' in sales of games outweighs the money coming in from those subscriptions. If you have the PC's, Mobiles and Consoles, it can easily become sustainable with a much larger audience to purchase subscriptions - many of whom wouldn't of bought the games at all anyway - Mobile users for example. It also adds 'value' to those on other platforms, being able to play on Mobile too.

Not only is it Sustainable, its also beneficial to the Gamers and Developers in MS's ecosystem.

But as has been mentioned, this is PS5 thread - I was more interested in discussing whether or not people would buy IF MS Game Pass came to a Playstation - not discussing the Sustainability and benefits of it to both gamers and devs.

I don't think MS will go as far as adding Game Pass to non Xbox consoles to begin with

Considering they're pushing the Series consoles as the dedicated hardware centerpiece for their entire plan to turn Xbox into a connected ecosystem across a multitude of devices, putting stuff like Game Pass on PlayStation 4/5 or Switch would basically throw a wrench into that entire plan. I would buy into that if it did happen, but it's highly unlikely it will.

@TheFrenchiestFry I could maybe see it on Switch but not PS5. They wouldn’t undermine their hardware division in that way. Switch on the other hand isn’t really a direct competitor and they seem to be on good terms with Nintendo.

@nessisonett I feel like even though they're on good terms with Nintendo they're probably putting parameters in place anyway in regards to what they will put on there

Like keep in mind Cuphead is just a game they have publishing rights for but it was already on multiple platforms before it even came to Switch, and Ori is an IP that Microsoft owns but was developed by a third party to begin with

Banjo in Smash was kind of obvious considering it was basically them acknowledging Banjo's roots as essentially a second party Nintendo character and that he did deserve his place in that roster. I don't think any of these other collabs will automatically entail them doing something as big as "hey you can play all our first party Xbox titles like Halo and Gears on Xbox Game Pass for your Switch"

My library is 90% physical and I've started moving games from my internal HDD to the external one I'll connect to the PS5. I found this site quite useful: https://physicalgames.wordpress.com/ps4-update-sizes/
I'm referring to it to decide which PS4 games will necessarely go into the external HDD and which ones I can delete (and eventually quickly re-update) depending on the size of their latest patch.
Maybe this can help other gamers with a capped and crappy internet connection like mine.

Thought this chap made some good points.

I have PS Now and it’s alright but misses the wow factor. The app’s also a bit of a nightmare to navigate.

@JohnnyShoulder Great post. Now is definitely a comparable service though many don't give it any consideration at all. Even right now you can get a year of plus and a year of not for less than the cost of 6 months of GP ultimate!

My original concept was a specific Game Pass for Sony - one that offered games from certain Studio's (like Bethesda, Arkane, Id) and maybe even some games from others (like Oblivion, inXile and Ninja Theory) but not games associated primarily with Xbox (like the Halo, Forza, Gears games). A special tailored version of games that may have a history and/or audience on Playstation. If it was the only way to play Elder Scrolls 6, Starfield, Doom, Wolfenstein etc as well as a selection of games like Outer Worlds 2, Hellblade 2 etc that had multi-platform released game before - a selection of Xbox Studio games - but not all.

Again that's hypothetical as I don't think Sony would allow it but stranger things have happened. MS have said they want their games on as many platforms as possible and a Game Pass app could be one way of doing that. There is a rumour too of a streaming stick you plug into your TV for Game Pass so that maybe another option. But with the talk about BC performance on PS5 of Fallout, the possibility of PS5 specific upgrades (another option that 'could' be available via a PS5 version of Game Pass) and the future of these games, I thought it would be an interesting discussion - would people buy a Game Pass subscription if it enabled them to play a selection of 'Xbox Studio' games on their PS5 - assuming that was the only option (hypothetically). It was more of a discussion piece with some saying they may have to buy an Xbox or upgrade their PC if these games don't get a PS5 release.

Obviously it wouldn't 'really' matter to me whether that situation arose as I will own a Series X as well as a PS5 and I expect those with a decent PC won't care too much either but was interested to have a discussion with those that it may affect, would they even consider a Game Pass on PS5 subscription IF that was the only way to play certain games on that platform - instead of maybe buying an Xbox, PC or playing on mobile?

I don't care about any of this. I just want to play Astro Bot.

@Octane Neither do I. I think the industry is going the other way TBH. Most people I know only play 2-3 games. Games that keep on giving because they are supported well by the developers... We don't need a Netflix for video games because you'll be paying for games that you never have the time to play...

@Wesker The problem with subs is that it removes a great deal of risk vs reward. With a steady income, there's less incentive to be original. It's why 95% of Netflix content is rubbish. The company knows it's average monthly income and will budget it's games accordingly. Why spend more on a game than your guaranteed income?

It may change the industry, as it will likely change the way games are being made.

Anyway, back to Astro Bot. Can't wait! I still have to order my new TV cabinet to fit the console though...

I took down this thinking it would be about PS5 but all I'm reading about is Xbox and Stadia

@JohnnyShoulder Great post and I agree. Over the last 2 months I haven't had the time to game or even post here often however when I was off work last week, I had a quick go of my son's Xbox when decorators were in the living room.

I was extremely underwhelmed by game pass. It's been built up as this massive game changer and it's PS Now with less games. I wanted a go of the new crackdown, one of my favourite games from last gen and it didn't appear to be on the service (I thought Xbox studios gamed were at release and permanently on the service).

There's a lot of filler, 5/6 year old games like ps now.

Maybe the fact it was a quid earlier in the year prompted the gushing.

@Wesker It's the type of games. If you get into a FIFA or similar service type game there's a ton of commitment required. Looking on my stats I've played 16 full days of Rocket League 384 hours! In Dreams I am over 500 hours!!!!

If you play games for 2 hours a night give or take over a year it is 730 hours. So way over a year's worth of gaming has been spent on 2 games.

Jesus I need to re-evaluate my life. That's bloody insane man.

@themcnoisy over 500 hours in Dreams 😲. I really need to jump back in and give it another crack but just so many games to play. You must have created a few masterpieces with that amount of time put in?

Didn't see it mentioned but Days Gone is getting a bump on PS5 as well. 4k & "up to 60fps", saves transfer over as well. In addition they have great taste in movies/gifs 😂😂

@redd214 Cool, been saving that one till PS5. It is part of the plus collection too.

The fact that literally all these other first party games are going to be compatible to this extent straight out the box and Spider-Man isn't just really depresses me honestly

I get it. They wanted to change Peter's face and add ray tracing, but I wish the option was there since I have no interest in shelling out extra money for Ultimate Edition just to have access to the Remaster, doubly so considering the Remastered-exclusive suits are being patched into the PS4 version at a later date anyway.

@MightyDemon82 Here the best tune I have made so far;

It got to number 1 in the Dreams charts.