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 :)
Microsoft announced its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2026, including an update on its gaming Xbox business and more.
Not looking good. Hopefully Asha Sharma is able to turn Phil’s disaster around.
To me it's still quite remarkable how they can cash-in 5.3bn in revenue in a single quarter, since their hardware is basically dead.
The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.
Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.
15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.
These declines are on the back of extra revenue received from releasing games like Forza horizon 5 on PlayStation. So I’m being sarcastic here when I said they should go back to exclusives. Killing off a revenue stream from Ps5 sales will only make things worse
The charity event will be streamed live from Gamescom in August.
Thanks to the slip-up of an artist working on the title, we now have more evidence that a new Injustice game is in the works.
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.