Although the PlayStation 5 is received to be the most successful, and best-selling system in U.S. history, there are still some caveats to the latest iteration. One being the lack of opposition to Xbox Game Pass. While Microsoft continues to thrive on its Netflix-esque monthly video game service, players question how the PlayStation company will deal its own hand on the matter.
Even with analysts remarking on the business model for Xbox Game Pass being “risk-averse” for new IPs and releases, it further draws the question as to how Sony Interactive Entertainment will respond to the situation. Excitingly, there is plans for something to arrive. Back during the PlayStation 5 launch, President & CEO Jim Ryan shared that a response to the Xbox service is in the works.
Additionally, God of War & Twisted Metal creator David Jaffe commented that the PlayStation firm is certainly working on a “counterpunch” to Xbox Game Pass. In a new report from Video Game Chronicles on Thursday, it appears that the possible answer arrived – well, in Poland that is.
Originally leaking directly from Sony Interactive Entertainment, the company today soft launched a new service: PlayStation Plus Video Pass. The new test service offers subscribers an assortment of films and television shows to choose from. With 20 in total, entertainment might be a new perk to PlayStation owners.
We want to see how players will benefit from such a service. What titles do they watch, what do they care about, how often do they use them. At this stage, however, I cannot say whether it will be created and what the test process will look like for other markets, as well as what the future is for PlayStation Plus Video Pass after the test period.
We are currently focusing only on the Polish market, on Polish players and what will be their reaction to the additional benefit under the PS Plus program. We know very well that we have a large base of players in Poland who stand out due to their commitment and activity in the network and social media.
Nick Maguire, Sony Interactive Entertainment Global Service Vice President
Upon asking further on the choice to execute PlayStation Plus Video Pass in the region, Maguire continues,” They also like to use VoD platforms. For us, this is the perfect combination, the perfect market, to introduce a test service as part of the PS Plus program and see what our key users think about it.”
He continues by clarifying that Sony Interactive Entertainment cannot release the data for its chosen demographic, but believes that Poland reflects the complementing factor for both gaming and entertainment under a unified subscription. “I can emphasize that Poland meets all the criteria that are important to us, your country is a mixture of very important factors from this perspective.”
Perhaps this is more than Sony’s response to Xbox Game Pass. Instead, it could stand to be the next addition to the PlayStation Plus Collection that is already available. Since its debut back in November 2020, there has yet to be any additions to the program for playStation Plus members on PlayStation 5.
But perhaps it could be the answer to another handicap on PlayStation. This coming summer will mark the end of purchasable entertainment on the platform. So rather than offering individual film & TV, the PlayStation company can handle it through a new subscription altogether. You can read the initial report by heading here.
What do you think about the PlayStation Plus Video Pass?
Source: Video Game Chronicles
