Sony has outlined some of its plans for PS Plus moving forwards, and while it doesn’t believe it needs to change course with its current strategy, it insisted that it’s not going to rest on its laurels. Speaking with Games Industry.biz, the organisation’s global head of subscriptions Nick Maguire insisted that the company will continue working to grow the service.
“It's about finding how we add new features that players want, new games that people are asking us for that we don't have, other benefits that they are asking for,” he said about the future of Sony’s flagship subscription. “[It’s about] how do we keep the service relevant, make it more valuable, and bring more people in.”
Recent reports in the US have suggested that overall gaming subscription growth has stalled, and Maguire confirmed that while the introduction of PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium had increased Sony’s revenue, the actual number of members had gone down. However, he clarified that this dip is attributed to a downturn in interest in the aftermath of the pandemic, and the service is starting to grow again.
And he continued that while the Japanese giant is satisfied with how things are going right now, it’s always thinking far into the future as well: “It's about […] making sure we aren't getting complacent or being in the present too much. We are thinking about what is next and trying to predict what players might want in a year’s time or five years’ time. It's really exciting.”
One way Sony is looking to evolve PS Plus in the near future is with the addition of PS5 streaming, which will be rolling out later this year. This will allow you to stream titles in the PS Plus Game Catalogue, as well as “select” digital titles you own. It’s probably safe to assume the same functionality will also extend to the upcoming Project Q handheld, although that remains unconfirmed right now.
What do you think is next for PS Plus? Obviously, the platform holder has already ruled out day one first-party releases, so that doesn’t appear to be part of its plans in the short-term. But is there anything else in particular you’d like to see added to improve the overall service? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 70
They're already complacent. 🤷🏻♂️
Love this. Gamepass and Ps plus are amazing. I get to save money so I can afford spiderman 2 and assasin creed etc, while playing amazing games like Ghost, Ratchet and clank, far cry 6 on plus. And starfield, pentiment, forza, capcoms next two games, stacking, redfall (joking about that one ahah).
Subscription services are brilliant
They've been doing a great job with the new PS Plus tbh. Since having PS Plus Extra since it started, it's such a good value I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop; it's too good to be true right now 😂
Honestly expecting that once they hit the one year mark, that's when they start pulling the juggernauts from the service.
On a side note how do I contact playstation and ask for jade cocoon?
It's great when I can do a dirty and get it for £13 from turkey.. haha.
@Zoidpilot4 Look in the mirror and say "Jim Ryan" five times and he'll appear.
Hopefully they will do a lot more with PS1 and PS2 games.
I know it's tricky getting certain titles because of licensing as well as so many of these games got rereleased or remade beforehand.
They need to step premium up
@Matroska great, now my whole family is dead, including the dogs.
I understand that Sony are predominantly a Sales based business so we won't get their Games into their Sub service (like Game Pass) but allowing me to 'stream' games at PS5 quality (even if reduced to 1080/60) anywhere - especially 'digitally' owned games and a 'selection' of Games they choose (even if they are older games and a range of 3rd Party - some new maybe?), for a 'reasonable' cost, I'd consider upgrading from what I have to pay to access the full content in games I have bought to play on that Platform - essential it is.
As it stands now, the extra cost to me is not worth it. Most of the Games I 'would' really want to play, I have played and the few I maybe would play, but haven't are not games that I'm willing to Subscribe to, just to play...
I know others will get a LOT from those Extra tiers and I can say that 'Extra' looks Great Value as it is - I personally don't feel I will get that value back over time. Having the ability to log into my 'Playstation' account and Play any Playstation Game I own anywhere on any device 'somehow' or at least add their games Day 1, become more Service focused, I'd rather just 'buy' what I want to play on PS5 at a Price I want to pay (so usually Physical) and keep my Sub money as LOW as possible.
I'm sure everyone has a different opinion on what they'd want to get them to subscribe to 'higher' tiers - and others who think that those higher tiers are worth every penny as they are now too...
Offer more value by improving the offerings for classic games on PS Plus Premium and perhaps offer deals from other Sony services like Crunchyroll
Idk just please improve the classic game line up it's been underwhelming outside a few releases
I'm happy with the game selection. I just want them to start adding PS2 games again and figure out a way to get trophy support on 3rd party classics.
I think the retro catalog is the key thing to improve, add more games (especially PS2) as well as figuring out someway to have a download option for PS3 games rather than having to rely on cloud streaming.
@Uncharted2007 agree, they're absolutely complacent! Not saying that the games aren't alright, they're mostly fantastic, but a year in and the only way to stream games via premium is on the console itself or on a PC via installed software. Where's browser support or a mobile app? Their homemade remote play software is multiplatform but it can hide in shame compared to psplay or chiaki. They better have improved code for project q or things won't look pretty.
And don't get me started on communication. I'm an enthusiast and don't bother with the psblog.
Its clear what things can be done to make the service more valuable/ of greater value in order to retain and grow. They just don't want to do it because it requires short term investment for long term gains.
Instead, they are going to lock likely subpar streaming behind the highest tier paywall, when many aren't interested in paying extra to play two generation old games on a current gen machine that is only now starting to be relevant for its said gen.
Dont pretend like the issues is wallet size, as far as why Sony wont invest in day 1 releases on ps plus extra. Don't forget they chose to invest in another vr headset, pc ports, gaming monitors, headsets, expensive actor laden marketing, a myriad of live service gambles, and now this absurd coming handheld and some ear buds.
Its that they dont want to invest in things that give anything other than immediate short term returns or monetization schemes with little effort and/or long term support.
Sony is barreling toward a rude awakening if this trajectory continues for the many years to come it seems to be planned for. Hopefully for those that do want to play the old games in the premium tier, they at least get more attention and a greater library going forward.
They got complacent after month 2 with the psone classics. If you’re actually listening, how about adding more of those!
There's two kinds of streaming services, those with iOS and Android clients and those sold by Sony.... I don't think they have to predict much to offer improvements people want lol.
@Matroska But that would imply he'd actually engage with the community and listen to fans. Living or undead, no way Jim would respond to fan requests. I call BS.
For me it's about bringing to life the retro promise of the premium tier - there's just not enough yet.
Second is access to streaming - I have been playing some gamepads games on my phone while on holiday and it's great. I am pretty specific on what I will play, but give us that accessibility
Give us the skate games already...😭
While it's not sustainable for their first party games day one they could atleast offer some third party games day one on the service or more indies day one like they've done with Stray and Tchia.
True PS3 emulation so we don’t have to stream those games. It’s terrible, at least with my internet connection.
@KaijuKaiser Yeah I understand, I kinda get why these third party devs go to gamepass as they hardly sell on their so atleast they are making money off Microsoft via the deals, and then get their main chunk of revenue off Sony/Nintendo.
It would also cost Sony more money to get them onto playstation plus than it would Microsoft to get them on gamepass as they take sales into consideration when coming up with a price.
Important to note, not every owner has essential, extra or anything.
Then start putting some better retro titles on each month than Disney PS1 games nobody will play. They’re only porting over games that are on the PS3 store. How about Tomb Raider, WipEout, MGS or Parasite Eve?
@KundaliniRising333 🤣 Maann your negativity is on another level.
@KundaliniRising333 Isn't cloud streaming locked behind the highest tier paywall on game pass too?
“It's about finding how we add new features that players want"
Themes and proper folders please! Oh, and a long PS press context menu as per the PS4, thanks!
Overall I'm good with what they offer on PS Plus, what I do wish is something totally unrelated to PS Plus: folders and themes for PS5.
I've enjoyed my seven months with PS+ Premium, so far. I wouldn't tell you I use it every day, or even every month, but I've got my $90 out of it already. I'm indifferent enough with it that I genuinely can't decide if I want to keep it or leave it. Part of me likes it, the other part says it's not worth signing up again. Decisions, decisions.
@KundaliniRising333 when many aren't interested in paying extra to play two generation old games on a current gen machine
That's strange, because there's more Playstation Plus Premium tier subscribers than there is Extra tier subscribers.
I think the issue for a lot of people, including myself, is that I have Gamepass and PS Plus Extra… and whilst Playstation seems to be adding more games each month; most of them have been on Gamepass already. If you never had Gamepass then you will be getting more for your money with PS Plus.
Also with Gamepass there is the guarantee that if the game is a day 1 addition then most people haven’t played it and can be excited about it. With PS Plus the older games get added and you may have already bought them. Still can (and does) happen with Gamepass too of course; with those that aren’t day 1 additions.
But the lack of day 1 additions is still going to affect Sony’s sales I assume… for instance I never bought Rift Apart as I knew it would eventually hit PS Plus. And it did.
@Kevw2006 yah you are right it totally is. I actually hadn't looked at the pricing, as up until just recently i would never had even considered using xboxs platform in any manner.
It looks like pricing is different though between the two sub services. Where xbox's mid tier which includes day one releases, is the price of ps plus essential (base tier). so basically 60 $(usd) cheaper a year for the mid tier option on xbox with day 1 releases 36 $ cheaper a year for the premium tier. So setting aside the old game perk, its still that much cheaper for streaming that from most accounts seems to be better functioning than PS remote play. Albeit in my opinion cloud gaming isnt worth it for me personally but i do see its value.
either way thanks for the correction, as I hadnt looked into the gamepass tier system. Yet, I would only really want one or the other: either the console and the mid-tier, or no console and the top tier so either would amount to considerable savings of dollars spent and greater value to me in return.
@sanderson72 Don't give them any ideas, those features should all be available for free and not locked behind PS Plus.
@UltimateOtaku91 i dunno, call me crazy but I still consider millions to be "many." I didnt suggest most or the majority dont want premium. However, I see your counterpoint for sure as despite the millions at play, more millions of those many millions, subscribed to premium.
I do wonder how that ration may change when the time to upgrade during the transitional period passes by. I am curious how many people will keep premium once they actually have to shell out the 90 bones in totality. Yet, im sure with sales like the recent one running occasionally, many will do so, as long as Sony tries continues to try and improve the value proposition of the premium tier. I personally have been gaming for 30 years so the idea of going back and playing games I already played in yesteryears is of no interest. Yet I'm happy for all of those that it is.
Ps plus extra has been of great value to me though, I have played and finished many games I was interested in but hesitant to buy or had forgotten about. This coming slate has at least 5 more im down to give a go. So i love the mid tier for sure.
I think Extra has been a great success - I've found it great value. I think Sony need to work on making Premium more attractive. There's absolutely nothing there that would make me want to upgrade.
If they can improve their Classics library, then I might think about it. More legendary PS1 and PS2 games. Actually, just stick the Timesplitters trilogy on there and I'm sold!
@KundaliniRising333 Yeah PS Plus pricing is a bit weird bit you generally get a massive discount by paying for a year over paying monthly. In the UK, where I am, the top tier is £13.49/month, which works out at £161.88 over a year but if you pay for a year then it's £99. I feel like £99 for the year is pretty reasonable for premium but £161.88 not so much.
@Kevw2006 oh ya, good point i didnt even see what the pricing was for yearly purchases. what is it for gamepass? do they discount yearly subbing to a given tier?
Oh that's cool I guess
@K1LLEGAL Yah this is a great point as well. Because even some of the big budget bangers will likely have people waiting on if they arent completely sold on or in love with that given IP. For me, after thoroughly giving spiderman and miles morales time, and knowing the level of value i put on my enjoyment of that ip, I would at the very LEAST be waiting a year or more to play that on steep discount or wait the full time needed for it to hit ps plus.
Sony has already made it clear they will eventually hit the service, so its a strong point that regardless of the whole day 1 difference between the services, there is also going to be and likely already has been sales losses do to the existence of the expanded ps plus library in general. Although those sales losses have likely already been a thing in terms of Sonys strategy and planning, and the inclusion of some of those games only being available via the now more expensive mid tier,, it likely mitigated those losses a little bit.
@KundaliniRising333 I believe monthly is the only option available for game pass and it's £10.99/month for game pass ultimate. Monthly it's cheaper than PS Plus premium is but the yearly option makes premium cheaper overall.
@Kevw2006 Yes, I was thinking they could pause the games included with plus and get the flippin' UI sorted cos the current ones is very poor next to the old stager.
@Kevw2006 ahhh gotcha. thanks
Glad to see this because I just stacked another year during the Summer Sale
Not sure what they could do to make it any more worthwhile for me.
I maintain my Essential sub for online, basically, and renewed for 2 years during the Days of Play sale. I take maybe 4 of the "free" Plus games each year, as most on offer are usually of no interest to me... and nothing on the higher levels is worth the money either, as far as I'm concerned. I have no interest in replaying PS1 or PS2 games, I still have my PS3 if I want those games, my PS5 will play my PS4 games, and I've zero interest in streaming games.
Might not be linked to PS Plus but I want Picture in Picture functionality. Hell, I'd Upgrade to Extra or Premium to have that feature.
@Brydontk They've already hit the one year mark this week.
I know it's never going to happen, and I still have my PS3 hooked up, but finally put in the effort for proper emulation and give us the ability to actually download games that are streaming only would be great since streaming overall is still crap. Also, some physical copies of these games can be quite expensive.
Aren't you forgetting that they rolled a trial run of
A video ps plus. Where all Sony titles were apart of for ps plus members. Was it in Poland or something I wonder if that was succesful and when they will roll that
@KaijuKaiser jus hit the ignore button, that guy is a chronic whinner
@TheArt dude really needs to get laid XD
What a crock, they just stated the other day about how they don't put their first party games on Plus until the games are old.
Hell, THEY make MLB The Show and it's a part of Game pass!
@KundaliniRising333 Yeah generally speaking, at the yearly prices, Plus is cheaper than game pass but game pass offers a premium product. For a casual gamer plus it's the better value, tons of older games for less money. For enthusiasts gp is the better value as youre getting the latest launches. The deal breaker though is mobile support. As a cloud option, plus is kind of non existent without mobile devices.
One thing you can do is make PS3 games downloadable and playable natively like the other games. Also, start putting PS2 games into the PS Plus Premium instead of it always being PS1 and PSP.
@EquiinoxGII With Xbox yes not PlayStation
I think I’m personally done with plus. Haven’t missed a month since the launch of the PS4 (I mainly used 360 the gen before), but it doesn’t suit me any more. I have limited time to game and so can’t make use of a massive library of games I might only possibly like. The most enjoyment I have in gaming, by far, is in VR, and I doubt PSVR2 games will be added any time soon, so I’ll be spending my time and thus my money elsewhere.
That’s not to say I don’t still think it’s phenomenal value on a game per £/$/€ basis…but only for those with extra time to make use of it beyond what they actually want to play most.
@NEStalgia
Funny, I’ve always thought of it the other way around. Casual players generally only care about the next big thing and want it at launch to play it at the same time as friends / post on socials etc; enthusiasts typically are more refined in their tastes, value a great game regardless of age and have a large back catalogue anyway, making playing most games prior to their being patched unnecessary.
Certainly MS must think the casual (I.e. Mass Market) value the latest game above all else, because thats what they are offering while trying to expand their sub service.
Unfortunately extra isn't worth it to me as I've already played most of the games offered that I'm interested in, until Sony starts adding new games (doesn't have to be day 1, could be 45 days after launch) and offers a better selection gamepass will continue to be superior.
@thefourfoldroot1 You're generally right, but when talking about subs, the enthusiasts have already played the majority of an older catalogue like that, so it's not really valuable while access to bunch of brand new things for a fixed price is attractive. Sports games, GTA, cod etc have their own rulebook though.
For a casual player ps plus is fantastic, it's really cheap and has a massive library of good, big games they almost certainly never played most of. GP is a little more eclectic in it's makeup other than the first party headliners that bring the masses in. More niche indie stuff that enthusiasts that watch things like Future Games Show think of as big releases to play right away while the casual player you described isn't likely to even know of it. It's hard to beat plus for raw content to dollar value. But a lot of us here have already played a lot of what's on it, or have it in our backlogs at least 😂
I am fine with the new ps+ cause they are bringing back classic games and i can buy them separately. 😁
Sony does need to consider the future. Probably more so to keep the current subscribers than adding new subscribers. That will be done by games added. The option of downloading pre PS4 games, allowing screen shots/video capture of games streamed, and a longer pause while streaming before being kicked would all be welcomed upgrades.
I was going to add another year to Premium this past sale but declined. I will wait and see.
PS Extra is amazing. I actually rate it above Gamepass because I have both. Sure, it has day one games but the quality on PS is miles better. IF Premium let's you stream games away from home that'll boost that tier massively too
I think I bought only one PS5 game so far: Ratchet & Clank, and that was a pre-order. I was either day1 or pre-order during PS4 days. So, yeah, plus extra is extra. My backlog is not getting smaller, too many good games to play. Even if I stopped subbing to gamepass and ps+, I would still have years worth of good games to play through and I guess it's the same for most of the dudes&dudettes that started amassing way too many games for the available time they have.
That is to say: after the pandemic bump, all subscription based entertainment properties will see a slump. Look at how Netflix became paranoid. People are back at living and all of these companies are fighting over ever shorter free time people have.
If I had the time to play more games I’d subscribe but i unfortunately don’t.
I unsubscribed years ago for that reason but see the value if you can make use of actually playing the games!
6 games a month and normally having indies day one (which I think we last saw with Deep Rock Galactic, a fantastic idea and addition). You've gotten complacent with Plus compared to old times for years now. Give us 2 VR games a month, 2 PS5 game, 2 PS4 Games, and you'll be giving us comparable value to what I used to pay for.
There is complacent and then there is the future of their business.... model.... Their efforts on the service have been fine. Not used it or family members have tried a few and then mostly stuck to everything else out instead because of what is offered on the service has been played prior gens, late released (so already played) or not interested.
I won't deny VR games on the service would be great though. I won't deny Vita games or any other peripheral support on there. Why not the Playlink titles (more first party there technically too) they aren't worth anything anymore and in bargain bins but they fill in the party game space on the service besides Jack Box Party Packs or whatever else is on the service.
For people that haven't experienced gaming, new to PS4/5 gen it's a fair option but for most of us that have experienced enough or can get the games cheap to still put in our consoles nah.
Like yeah they are fair services so far. Enough cycle in and out. Deluxe/Premium is trying as best they can get the emulation, trophies, licenses and more I'm fine on that.
I do think it's lead into a cloud future but eh I'm not interested I'd rather stick with my PS3 then a VPN because I can't access the games in my region for Deluxe and streaming just isn't for me (not because of internet I have the internet speeds) but it's just not as fun to play that way even besides the games/apps on the console in-between the 'not' needing it is possible so eventually it's a service.
Fine services. I use the consoles and not into subscriptions. I even hate my phone plans and barely use my phone I research everything ahead and barely call anyone ever why would I want to. I have other methods of communication then just a phone/text.
Extra is super solid so far. Even though I’m gonna drop down to essential later this year anyway (for personal reasons) I would recommend it to anyone.
Premium is a joke though.
@TheDudeElDuderino
Exactly. I dropped every streaming service I had except for Apple TV (it’s part of my Apple One sub). I found out that I was using them so sparingly and with prices jumping up like crazy across the board I decided to go a different route (won’t say what it is but I think you know) that better fits my time and my very picky nature.
They brought it on themselves. Not enough good content on each service and all have seen price jumps. I’m not the only one.
Was only a few years ago Sony was saying they have no interest in subscription based model
Sometimes PS Plus Essential isn't worth it, but otherwise have no complaints.
@BAMozzy
I'm moving down to the basic subscription.
I like to own my games and there's less pressure to complete a game before it goes off the subscription.
@blah01 That's 'part' of the plan of the Subscription Service - get you to try games you may not have 'bought' and then feel obliged to buy them to 'finish' when you can no longer access them.
You are putting Pressure on yourself to complete it before it leaves to avoid that. If, like me, you don't care about finishing games - if they are good enough you will, then it doesn't matter. For me, with GPU (inc EA Access) on PC/Xbox and ANY 'cloud' device as well as PS+ Essential/Gold given me 'games' every month, I don't need a service that only has maybe 1 or 2 games that 'maybe' I'd have played IF I didn't have hundreds of other games to play...
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