Sony teases Game Pass Rival
Sony teases Game Pass Rival
Is Sony looking beyond the current PlayStation Now ecosystem?
Show orders, off-center branding, and understanding the comments made by PlayStation boss Jim Ryan.
Read time: 7 minutes
Quick Tibits
Here are small and developing stories you should keep your eyes on.
Last of Us show order: it looks like The Last of Us is the next game coming to television, as HBO placed a series order on the post-apocalyptic title by Neil Druckmann. The series, which is being co-produced with Sony Pictures Television, will be lead by Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin, Game of Thrones executive producer Carolyn Strauss, and Druckmann. There isn’t any news on how many episodes the series will entail, but the EVP of HBO Programming did share that they were “delighted to partner [with them] to adapt this epic, powerfully immersive story.” Although I’m typically skeptical of any game-to-TV/movie adaptations, I have higher hopes for this one. Yes, a little bit of it has to do with my strong love for the game, but it also has to do with the show leaders. Having Druckmann on-board, who is the genius behind the titles, will be great in keeping the show grounded in its roots. And with Mazin and Strauss helping as well, they’ll be able to bring their TV experience and inject it into this series. The only thing that “sucks” is that it’ll be on HBO, so you’ll have to fork up money to watch the upcoming series if you already don’t have access to the network.
All PS5s soldout: if you were hoping to get a PS5 console sometime within the next few weeks, you are out of luck. PlayStation boss, Jim Ryan, shared in an interview with TASS (we’ll circle back to this interview later) that “absolutely everything is sold-out.” He also mentioned to TASS, a Russian outlet, that the stock in Russia will “soon be sold-out.” Although this is disappointing to hear for gamers that didn’t get a chance to snag the console, know that the Sony team is working hard to meet demand. Ryan mentioned that he is using a lot of time exercising “executive bandwidth” to get more consoles out to consumers. It’s also worth mentioning that the Sony team is still committed to the PS4 until at least 2022, so most PS4 gamers won’t have to worry about being left-out from PS5 exclusives (for the most part).
Cyberpunk 2077 copies out in the wild: it has been a tough few months for CD Projekt Red and Cyberpunk 2077 hasn’t it? In the weeks leading up to the new game, two gamers were actually able to get their hands on the title. And even worse, they actually spent 20 minutes playing and streaming the game. No word has been released by CD Projekt Red regarding the stream or the two gamers, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they take legal action towards them. The studio has gone to great lengths (three delays) to ensure the game is optimized for quality and that content comes out at the right time. So to have two gamers (who, frankly, seemed stoned) play and showcase the game without permission from the studio has to be infuriating. Nevertheless, the game is due December 10, and it was only 20 minutes of gameplay on a game that’s rumored to take days to complete, so it isn’t too big of an issue. Let’s just hope no more problems arise before the game is launched, as CD Projekt Red really needs things to run smoothly.
Jim Ryan hints at Game Pass alternative
Credit: Sony/PlayStation
In an interview with TASS, PlayStation boss Jim Ryan was asked:
“How will you respond to Microsoft’s Game Pass?”
In the past, Ryan has replied that the current service — PlayStation Now — is the answer to Microsoft’s Game Pass. He echoed those same sentiments during the interview, but he did preface the statement with something that caught the attention of many gamers:
“There is actually news to come, but just not today.”
This comes as a bit of a surprise to many gamers, as the consensus was that the PlayStation would only stick with PlayStation Now and the recently released PlayStation Plus Collection. Sony has made a few adjustments to the model, including dropping the $20 price tag to $10 to better compete with Game Pass, but it does seem like something bigger is on the way.
But just because it’ll be something new, doesn’t mean it’ll replicate the same formula executed by Microsoft and Game Pass. Ryan has emphasized that a certain feature of Game Pass — releasing new games on the service immediately — will not be implemented into their own strategy, with Ryan saying that they “don’t see that as sustainable.”
Although we’ll have to wait a little while till we see more news, it’s encouraging to hear that Sony is thinking about fleshing out its already successful PlayStation Now.
My Thoughts
This is really encouraging news, as I do think Sony needed to respond to Microsoft’s Game Pass.
I just didn’t expect it so soon.
I expected the response to Microsoft’s Game Pass towards the end of 2021 when more people had their hands on a PS5 console. So to hear even a small indication that something big is on the way is really great to see.
Now that I’ve used and enjoyed some games on Game Pass, I think it’s now fair to say:
Microsoft’s Game Pass is amazing.
In its current form, the number of games I have available to me is stunning. I’ve already gotten excited about the opportunity to play the Mass Effect series (except for Andromeda) as well as the latest Madden. Along with that, the service has already offered newly-released content for free in the form of Destiny 2’s newest expansion — Beyond Light.
With that said, I do want to highlight the phrase “in its current form.” Although Game Pass is great, I only found myself drawn to a handful of games. Over time, I definitely see myself and other gamers getting bored with the current selection, and they’ll want something new to justify the membership fee.
I think Jim Ryan had a point in regards to the sustainability of releasing newly released content on the platform. Games cost thousands of dollars to make, so offering them completely free definitely hurts the studio and maybe even Microsoft’s gaming division.
I don’t think Sony will implement the same strategy, and will instead opt to offer a wide list of previous titles absolutely free (with a subscription). I think this method is the best move forward in regards to how Sony can create a sustainable streaming service. Maybe they’ll even provide discounts to people who opt for a more expensive subscription fee.
What would be cool is if Sony partners with a studio every once in a while to release a notable title for free or make it free for a limited time. If the latter is done, people would need to opt for a more expensive subscription fee (if Sony decides to opt for subscription tiers), but it would be awesome to see people flocking into the service if they can get a game like Crash Bandicoot or Spider-Man Miles Morales completely free.
And in regards to when we’ll get more info, I bet that it’ll come out in the spring of next year, when more PS5 consoles are rumored to be available.
It would reinvigorate an already starving market to purchase a PS5 and encourage current PS4 users to purchase the product.
I have often said that you get the PS5 for what it gives you now and the Xbox Series X for what it can give you in the future.
If Sony is able to release a quality Game Pass alternative, I might have to change my thoughts and statements on that matter.
Another PS5 issue
Well, if you were looking for another issue with the PS5, you’ve come to the right place.
It seems like consumers found another problem with the next-gen console produced by Sony, and it has to do with the DualSense controller.
The issue?
Off-center branding.
In all seriousness, this is hilarious that someone found the time (and had the eye) to notice this. Considering how amazing the DualSense controller feels, it’s easy to overlook this small “misstep.”
But regardless, it’s still an issue. So if you’re someone who’s looking for more reasons to not buy a PS5, or if you’re an Xbox groupie that looks for any excuse to shoot down the console, here ya go:
Off-center branding.
This Week
Just a reminder that this will be my only newsletter for the week, as I’m dedicating Wednesday and Friday to my family, my partner’s family, and Destiny 2/The Last of Us Part II.
For those in the US, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you get to spend the day/weekend with the people you love. And if not, do know that Zoom has lifted its 45-minute timer on unsubscribed sessions for the holiday!
As for my UK readers, have a good Wednesday and Friday?
(Unless you do celebrate Thanksgiving, then accept my well wishes listed above)