Why Sony’s First-Party Games Won’t Join PlayStation Plus on Day One Anytime Soon: What This Means for Gamers

Sony is staying firm on its approach. The company will not launch its first-party games on day one for its PlayStation Plus subscription service. Nick Maguire, Sony’s vice president of global services, confirmed this stance in a recent interview with GameFile.

This is quite different from Microsoft’s strategy. Xbox often releases major first-party titles, like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, directly on Game Pass when they launch. In contrast, Sony has opted to share some third-party games on their release day, such as the popular Blue Prince and Stray. However, major titles like God of War Ragnarök and Horizon Forbidden West took about a year before they made their way to PS Plus.

In Maguire’s words, Sony prefers a mix of new and older titles. “Our strategy focuses on a few independent games releasing day and date, supplemented by titles that are 12 to 18 months old,” he explained. This approach has been working for them.

When asked if Sony might consider including its first-party live-service games in PS Plus, Maguire was vague but mentioned that PS Plus could help introduce new players to established franchises. “The timing for each game’s release in Plus is crucial,” he said. “It should align with reaching a broader audience.”

This month, Remedy’s multiplayer title, FBC: Firebreak, launched on PS Plus, but even with such a platform, some games still struggle to gain traction. For instance, Square Enix’s Foamstars didn’t perform well despite being part of the PS Plus lineup.

Maguire’s comments resonate with his earlier statements from 2023, emphasizing that Sony intends to stick with its strategy of introducing games to PS Plus later in their life cycle. Meanwhile, PlayStation president Hideaki Nishino mentioned that adjustments to the pricing of PlayStation Plus are on the table as they look to maximize profitability.

As the gaming industry evolves, understanding subscription services’ dynamics is essential. A recent report from the Entertainment Software Association highlights that over 60% of players are interested in subscription services, making it crucial for companies like Sony to navigate this landscape effectively.

In the end, while Sony’s approach is unique, it raises questions about what gamers really want from subscription services and whether early access to first-party titles could change the game’s landscape.

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