So there's been a lot of hate and heated discussion regarding the new PSN PASS. Now I am by no means against it as I mostly buy new and rarely rent or buy used (games with online anyway) and support devs that I respect. But I just think the whole PASS is being implemented wrong. Now this blog mostly applies to those who buy used and also for those who rent.
Blocking you from playing a shred of online unless you have a PASS is a little too strict and forceful on Sony's part in my opinion. Without testing the online in anyway, you have no idea if its your money's worth or not. Its like heading into a pitch-dark cave with no light available. So, for sympathy(some) of those who feel a bit cold shouldered by Sony and the PSN PASS, I'm suggesting that Sony should add an online trial to every game that requires a PSN PASS. A trial that lets the consumer test the online for an hour or two, and once that time is up it states you need to buy the PSN PASS to continue using online. That hour or two provides enough time to let you decide whether you think you should cough up the cash for the pass or not. This will prevent complaints of users feeling "ripped off" if they didn't like the online and just spent $10 on it for nothing and also let you taste the online experience.
This will also provide enough time for those who rent, to play the online and decide if they should buy the game or not afterwards. By no means does this curve around the fact that you still have to buy the PASS eventually if you bought the game used, but it does help cool the waters a bit and takes some pressure off your decisions of buying the game new(if rented) or the PSN PASS.
Refusing to buy a game that requires a PSN PASS is pathetic at best, and hurts devs more than Sony. You can have a much greater impact if you can try to persuade Sony to implement things like this trial. So those who buy used are gonna have to live with the PSN PASS breathing down there necks, but if you can spread word of this idea (timed trial) then perhaps the PSN PASS's breath won't smell as bad as without the trial. I've already submitted this idea on Playstation.blog.share, and I'm mostly doing this for the people who buy used to give them a crutch to walk on for a bit. Please let me know your thoughts on the trial, and only the trial, there's enough bickering/complaining already on countless threads, and would prefer to get this idea across peacefully :)
Big changes are being made at the top of Microsoft's gaming division.
MS knack for one upping bad news from other companies so soon afterwards is pretty astounding lol. Can't say I'm surprised though, this gen has been dreadful for the xbox brand.
Being replaced by an AI boss exec though, yikes.
Oh no no no
Going off your logic, since you've been slaughtering Sony, basically "Xbox is doomed" and "they're done"
Spin, spin, spin
Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond leaving at the same time is not a coincidence -it's a clear out. The old guard at Xbox is well and truly over. Spencer has always been likeable but honestly, he probably should've been pushed earlier.
But who has replaced them? Matt Booty, he is the dictionary definition of a suit, cosplaying that he knows about games. Asha Sharma is the new head of Microsoft gaming, she is a great looking woman, but at 36 years old she seems relatively young. From her initial statement about the return of Xbox (which is getting the fanboys on YouTube hyped) it sounds like she sees it as branding and a new Xbox console won't be coming.
We said the holy trinity Halo, Gears and Forza, going to PlayStation would meant Microsoft games going third party. But Phil Spencer's departure and the deprioritisation of the console name - today is the death of Xbox. ⚰️ 😢
I always had this theory that they both wait to see if the other announces something bad so they can announce their bad thing, thus the two talking points bleed together enough to cause overall confusion online.
It then becomes just a big bad thing for the industry rather than a specific company. Wouldn't be surprised if Ubisoft were up next again at this point.
I'm convinced "early retirement" is just them wanting to save both themselves the embarrassment and them getting forced out without the drama.
You bow out naturally while we make it all look like it's part of the plan, both of us look as competent as we can make out during the fallout
Jim Ryan was the exactly the same.
Early? He’s been at Microsoft for 40 years. He must be around 60 years old…
The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console in the US for January 2026 in terms of units sold and dollar sales, according to figures from Circana (formerly The NPD Group). Circana includes the dates for the four-week period of January 4 to 31.
Well congrats to them. As far as the Switch 2 is concerned.. it should be obvious by now that it is priced too high!
God of War remakes will feature a "new fighting system," says Kratos voice actor Chris Judge, hinting at major changes.
i doubt it will be like the recent titles. the original trilogy had a lot of vertically in the combat. it won't be exactly 1:1 like the old games, but it won't mirror the new over the shoulder style.
I welcome that change, if it is the exact same system, we can just play the original.
The best online pass i seen so far was Homefronts. They let you keep playing but you can't level up any furture than level 5 and you will eventually pay for the pass if you enjoyed it.
Online Subscription Fee for the PS4. Be prepared guys
I don't know how Sony doesn't think that this will hurt their 1st party sales?
It's similar to the terrible DRM that PC players have to deal with when they get a legit copy of a game
If a game needs a PSN PASS and it's anything less then absolutely amazing I'll be skipping it.
It's very sad to think that very soon I'll be missing out on a lot of sony exclusives because of this utter shit.
Games here in OZ are $120 and rarely go down in price, even after an entire year. If I want to play more than 2 games a year I have to rent. I was looking forward to Res3 but now it's off my radar.
I'd expect this horseshit from Microsoft, not Sony.
There needs to be a better solution to curve used game sales.
This is a game of greed.
Ive said it before ill say it again. In no way does the used market efected devs from them living there luxary lifestyle.
It didnt effect them when game shops first started second hand games. They didnt moan when kids wanted tonswap games at school. So why now, greed and a new way of everyone getting a little extra cash.
Cos even thoe say Sony charge you this fee sony take a cut same for anyone.
This industry is going down hill. With microsoft starting the console based DLC because it couldnt be fit onto a disc. And they found a new way milking money there now look everybody doing it.