PlayStation Now is expected to be Sony's answer to Xbox Game Pass, but for now it's vastly outclassed by Microsoft's subscription service and (worse) ignored by PlayStation's own player base. In January 2021, the latest official chiffres shared by Microsoft show that the Xbox Game Pass will accumulate more than 18 million subscriptions – a chiffre that will probably be eclipsed by maintenance thanks to the strong sales of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S tout au long of the year. Meanwhile, Sony's PlayStation Now service has just over three million subscribers. This is despite the fact that the PS4 and PS5 amass a much larger install base than Microsoft's latest and current generation consoles. PS Now was also two years ahead of Xbox Game Pass, which arrived two years later in 2017. So why is there such a huge gap between PS Now subscribers and Xbox Game Pass subscribers? Is PlayStation Now really that unattractive? Basically no, but the execution is missing. PS Now works almost exactly the same as Xbox Game Pass: you pay a monthly subscription that allows you to download and play hundreds of games. You can even stream games on the Sony platform, which is currently an advantage the Sony service has over Xbox Game Pass, though that may change when Microsoft brings Xbox Cloud Gaming to its console hardware in the near future. But at the moment, it's hard to justify Sony's service due to some frustrating glitches. However, it is not unrecoverable; in fact, it's a problem that's actually quite easy to fix, if Sony is willing to make the following changes.
Time to add PlayStation 5 games
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(Image credit: Capcom) One of the biggest differences between PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass is that Microsoft's service lets you play Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S games. You can play countless titles that take full advantage of the power of the new Xbox consoles, and I've found it's going to be a great way to experience next-gen titles like Dirt 5, Doom Eternal, and Sea of Thieves. In fact, there are currently 62 Xbox Series X Enhanced Games | S on Xbox Game Pass (thanks, Game Pass Counter), which means if you own any of Microsoft's newer Xbox consoles, there are plenty of new games out there. Brilliant to play now. There are no PlayStation 5 games available on PlayStation Now. Nothing. Nothing. Zero. Sony's service only includes PS4, PS2 and PS3 games, the latter of which can only be streamed and not downloaded. When Marvel's Avengers and Borderlands 3 were added to PS Now in April, it seemed like a huge win for Sony's service. But, while free PS5 upgrades were available for both titles, subscribers could only play the PS4 version, which wouldn't be the case if those games were on Xbox Game Pass. Therefore, Sony must start offering PS5 games in its PS Now library, as there is no doubt that such a seemingly simple decision would attract countless new subscribers.
Create a premium tier of PlayStation Plus
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(Image credit: Sony) Xbox Game Pass isn't the only offering from Microsoft in its subscription service. It also offers consumers the value-added Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which comes with an embarrassment of riches and perks. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass for PC, EA Play (including hundreds of EA games), Xbox Live (including Games with Gold), Xbox Cloud Gaming (available on mobile and PC )) and several benefits for slightly higher monthly fees. This is by far the best gaming deal right now, and I explained how it made the PS5 feel like it wasn't value for money in the past. Sony is expected to offer a next-level version of its subscription services to compete with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and one that crucially includes PS Now. PlayStation Plus seems to be the only avenue that Sony is ready to offer PS5 titles, so why not create a Platinum tier of PlayStation Plus? Throw in PS Now, all the usual PlayStation Plus perks, and throw in a subscription to online anime streaming platform Crunchyroll (recently bought by Sony) to sweeten the deal. It might not fit Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's value proposition, but it would at least be a start. I would definitely be interested in a tier that would offer me both PS Now, PS Plus and extras for a more attractive price than the current option to subscribe to both without additional benefits.
One day a version hangs
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(Image credit: Sony) While there's no chance Sony will ever offer its proprietary exclusives on PlayStation Now the way Microsoft does with its titles, it would be nice to see PlayStation Now get versions of third-party games for its service subscription. and add newer versions overall. It's hard to deny the appeal of a newly released game that's available "for free" as part of your existing subscription. I've played so many games on Xbox Game Pass that I would never have looked at it for that before, so I think Sony is missing a great opportunity to get releases on PS Now one day. PlayStation has always had a great history of supporting indie games, so instead of leaving them at the mercy of the PlayStation Store, why not give developers some much-needed help by paying to put certain titles directly on PS Now? It would also help spice up PlayStation Now's library of games, which can feel stale compared to the Game Pass lineup.
A little would go a long way
So it's clear that PlayStation Now doesn't really need a redesign, but some clever, competitor-inspired tweaks would do wonders for Sony's service. To date, PS Now is not doing enough to attract subscribers to the platform, and only Sony has the power to change that. Hopefully I will act as soon as possible.