That could be the biggest thing for the PlayStation 5 in 2022

Users have long been asking for an upgrade for the PS Plus and PS Now subscription services. And that could still come in 2022. That’s why a Game Pass for PS4 and PS5 could be the biggest thing in 2022.

If you want to play multiplayer games online on your PS4 or PS5, you usually need PS Plus. This is a paid subscription for the PlayStation. Nevertheless, there are a handful of games that you can play online without PS Plus.

But users have been watching the competition for a long time and want an upgrade for PS Plus. Because Microsoft is showing how to do it right with the Xbox Game Pass. Because here you pay around 13 euros a month and can pay for the latest titles at no extra charge.

And a Game Pass for the PS4 and PS5 could be the biggest thing for gamers in 2022.

So far, Sony has relied on several subscription models on PS4 and PS5

How is the current situation? At the current time (13.01.2022) there is PS Plus and PS Now for the PS4 and PS5.

• With PlayStation Now you get access to Sony streaming service for 9.99 euros a month. Here you can mainly stream old PS games. But this also requires a correspondingly fast internet connection.
• You need PS Plus if you want to play online with other users on your PS5 console. The price is 8.99 euros per month. So bonus you get a few free games every month.

But there have been rumors for a long time that Sony supposedly wants to bring its own Game Pass for PS4 and PS5. Behind the code name “Spartacus” there is probably a completely new subscription model with which Sony supposedly wants to offer new competition for Microsoft’s Game Pass. A multi-level subscription model is planned:

• The first tier would include the familiar PS Plus benefits such as multiplayer and some free games
• The second tier, similar to Game Pass, would make some PS4 games available for free.
• The third tier would offer advanced demos, game streaming, and a library of classic PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP games.

A Game Pass on PS4 and PS5 could appeal to many gamers

For a long time there has been criticism from users that Sony’s subscription model is no longer up-to-date. Many users want a new subscription or at least a sensible upgrade. Some players even go so far that they want to switch from the PS5 to the Xbox with Game Pass (via reddit.com).

With the PS Plus Collection with 20 free games, Sony expanded PS Plus at least for PS5 owners, but many long-time PlayStation fans should already own or have played them.

This is why a Game Pass is important: With a Game Pass for the PlayStation, Sony could close an important gap here and open up a larger group of users. Because many users are willing to spend a few euros more on better rewards.

And Sony could have another ace up its sleeve with films or series. It is at least speculated that Sony can expand PS Plus with a film subscription in order to make PS Plus interesting for more users. Because many users are already using their console as a multimedia platform.

• Sony had already tried a Video Pass in connection with PS Plus, but it was removed after a while (via venturebeat.com).
• The sale of films in the in-house PS Store was also ended in mid-2021 due to a lack of interest (via heise.de)

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass alone has shown how long-term gaming can be changed with it.

The Xbox Game Pass was already changing gaming forever

Xbox boss Phil Spencer said in an interview that many publishers were afraid to put their games in the Xbox Game Pass. It was feared that the Game Pass could devalue the game and reduce sales.

In fact, the opposite has happened. Users continue to buy the games despite their subscription and users are willing to spend more money in games. The Game Pass is now said to have over 30 million subscribers, more than half of which should have joined in 2021 (via xboxdynasty.de).

Today Microsoft is releasing exclusive first-party titles and full-price games in Xbox Game Pass in Game Pass. With a subscription, users can play the game directly without paying for it. In 2021, gamers were able to save 5500 euros with the Game Pass compared to buying new games.

And the Game Pass is not only a great offer for gamers. Publishers also benefit from this, because many games have already run successfully on the subscription model:

• Games such as Outriders are very successful thanks to Game Pass and reach millions of players. According to Square Enix, it had more than 3 million active users after the release.
• The Ascent has been a huge success for publisher Digital Curve thanks to Game Pass (via jpgames.com).

It looks different on the PS4 and PS5: On the PS4 and PS5 you have to buy every title for full price until today – unless you wait for corresponding offers or discounts in the PS Store. In rare cases, Sony packs a new game directly into the PS Plus subscription. That was the case with Rocket League or the Fall Guys party game. Here Sony had decided to release a brand new game directly with PS Plus.