The problem with PlayStation Now – and how to fix it

PlayStation Now needs to be Sony’s reply to Xbox Game Pass, however proper now, it’s being handsomely bested by Microsoft’s subscription service and (even worse) ignored by PlayStation’s personal participant base.

In January 2021, the final official figures that Microsoft shared confirmed that Xbox Game Pass had amassed over 18 million subscribers – a determine that has probably been eclipsed by now thanks to robust Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S gross sales all year long.

Sony’s PlayStation Now service, in the meantime, has simply over three million subscribers. That’s regardless of the PS4 and PS5 amassing a considerably bigger set up base than Microsoft’s last-gen and current-gen consoles. PS Now additionally had a two 12 months head begin over Xbox Game Pass, which arrived two years later in 2017.

So why is there such a big discrepancy when it comes to PS Now subscribers and Xbox Game Pass subscribers? Is PlayStation Now actually that unappealing? Fundamentally, no, however the execution is missing.

PS Now operates in nearly precisely the identical manner as Xbox Game Pass: you pay a month-to-month charge that permits you to {download} and play a whole lot of video games. You may even stream video games on Sony’s platform, which proper now is a bonus that Sony’s service has over Xbox Game Pass – although this may change when Microsoft brings Xbox Cloud Gaming to its console {hardware} within the close to future.

But proper now, it’s laborious to make a compelling case for Sony’s service due to a number of irritating flaws. It isn’t past redemption, although – in reality, it’s a problem that’s truly somewhat simple to fix, if Sony is prepared to make the next modifications.

It’s time to add PlayStation 5 video games

Devil May Cry 5

(Image credit score: Capcom)

One of the largest variations between PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass is that Microsoft’s service enables you to play Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S video games. You can play numerous titles that take full benefit of the facility of the brand new Xbox consoles, and I’ve discovered it to be an effective way to expertise next-gen titles like Dirt 5, Doom Eternal and Sea of Thieves.

In reality, there are at the moment 62 Xbox Series X|S optimized video games on Xbox Game Pass (thanks, Game Pass Counter), which suggests in case you personal both of Microsoft’s new Xbox consoles, there’s loads of shiny new video games to play proper now.

On PlayStation Now, there are not any PlayStation 5 video games obtainable. Zilch. Nada. Zero. Sony’s service solely consists of PS4, PS2 and PS3 video games, the latter of which may solely be streamed and not downloaded.

When Marvel’s Avengers and Borderlands 3 had been added to PS Now in April, it appeared like a fantastic win for Sony’s service. But, regardless of having free PS5 upgrades obtainable for each titles, subscribers might solely play the PS4 model, one thing which wouldn’t be the case if these video games had been on Xbox Game Pass.

Sony wants to begin providing PS5 video games in its PS Now library, then, as there’s little question that such a seemingly easy transfer would appeal to numerous new subscribers.

Create a premium PlayStation Plus tier

ps plus

(Image credit score: Sony)

Xbox Game Pass isn’t Microsoft’s solely providing in its subscription service. It additionally has the value-packed Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for shoppers to take into account, which incorporates a humiliation of riches and perks.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass for PC, EA Play (which incorporates a whole lot of video games from EA), Xbox Live (which incorporates Games with Gold), Xbox Cloud Gaming (obtainable on cellular and PC) and varied perks for a barely larger month-to-month charge. It’s simply the perfect deal in gaming proper now, and I’ve touched on how it’s made the PS5 really feel like it isn’t good worth previously.

Sony needs to be providing a better tier model of its subscription providers to compete with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and one which crucially consists of PS Now. PlayStation Plus appears to be the one avenue the place Sony is prepared to give away PS5 titles, so why not create a PlayStation Plus Platinum tier?

Add PS Now, all the standard PlayStation Plus perks, and throw in a subscription to the web anime streaming platform Crunchyroll (lately purchased by Sony) to sweeten the deal.

It won't fairly match the worth proposition of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, however it would at the least be a begin. I’d actually be fascinated with a tier that gave me each PS Now, PS Plus and extras for a extra compelling value than the present choice of subscribing to each with no further advantages.

Snag some day one releases

PS Now

(Image credit score: Sony)

While there’s no probability that Sony will ever provide its first-party exclusives on PlayStation Now on day one like Microsoft does with its titles, it could be good to see PlayStation Now snag some day one releases of third-party video games for its subscription service and add extra present releases on the whole.

It’s laborious to deny the attract of a freshly launched recreation that’s obtainable for “free” as a part of your present subscription. I’ve performed so many video games on Xbox Game Pass that I by no means would have given a passing look to earlier than due to this, so I believe Sony is lacking out on a giant alternative to snag some day one releases on PS Now.

PlayStation has at all times had a fantastic historical past in supporting indie video games, so as an alternative of leaving them to the mercy of the PlayStation Store, why not give builders a much-needed windfall by paying to put some titles straight into PS Now? It would additionally assist boost PlayStation Now’s library of video games, which may tend of feeling outdated in contrast to Game Pass’s lineup.

Just a little would go a great distance

It’s clear that PlayStation Now isn’t in dire want of an overhaul, then, however a few good tweaks impressed by the competitors would do Sony’s service wonders. As of in the present day, PS Now isn’t doing sufficient to entice subscribers to the platform, and solely Sony has the facility to change that. Let’s hope it acts sooner somewhat than later.