Phil Spencer Reacts To Rumors Of PlayStation Game Pass Competitor

stormfire · Jan 17, 2022

Speaking to IGN's Ryan McCaffrey, Spencer addressed the recent rumors.

"As you know," Spencer began, "so many of these things actually intertwine with themselves, from [backwards compatibility] in terms of a way of building out a library of games that we have shipping on PC and console simultaneously [...] knowing that Game Pass is gonna come and we wanna bring Game Pass to multiple platforms – all of these decisions kind of stack on top of themselves.

"I don't mean it to sound like we've got it all figured out, but I think the right answer is allowing your customers to play the games they wanna play, where they wanna play them, and giving them choice about how they build their library, and being transparent with them about what our plans are in terms of our PC initiatives and our cross-gen initiatives and other things. "So when I hear others doing things like Game Pass or coming to PC, it makes sense to me because I think that's the right answer."

Spencer continued by saying that he doesn't see Sony's apparent willingness to emulate Xbox's bold approach as proof he and his team were right to push for Game Pass early – more that it's proof that things were always going to go this way in the industry:
"I don't really look at it as validation. I actually, when I'm talking to our teams, I talk about it as an inevitability. So for us, we should continue to innovate, continue to compete, because the things that we're doing might be advantages that we have in the market today, but they're just based on us going first, not that we've created something that no one else can go create.

"I like it because it feeds our energy on what are the next things that we should be working on as we continue to build out the things that we've done in the past. Because I think the right answer is to ship great games, ship them on PC, ship them on console, ship them on cloud, make them available Day 1 in the subscription. And I expect that's what our competitor will do."

Phil Spencer Reacts To Rumors Of PlayStation Game Pass Competitor - IGN

Phil Spencer has reacted to rumors that PlayStation is working on a service similar to Xbox Game Pass, saying that he sees competitors as "an inevitability" and "the right answer".

www.ign.com

poklane · Jan 17, 2022

Maybe Sony will launch some MP games or small games day 1 in the higher tiers, but I'd be absolutely shocked if single player games from Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Guerrilla, Santa Monica, Sucker Punch etc. launch day 1 on the subscription. There's simply no reason for Sony to do so with how well those games are selling.

anexanhume · Jan 17, 2022

Yeah, I think this plus NSO is just validation of the business model. If anything it will help GP adoption as consumers begin to see it as the norm.

I'm big on physical media but GP grew on me because the value proposition is so great. I play way more new releases than I would otherwise.

andresmoros · Jan 17, 2022

poklane said:
Maybe Sony will launch some MP games or small games day 1 in the higher tiers, but I'd be absolutely shocked if single player games from Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Guerrilla, Santa Monica, Sucker Punch etc. launch day 1 on the subscription. There's simply no reason for Sony to do so with how well those games are selling.

I think exactly the same. Factions 2 and the rumored Twisted Metal, yeah, absolutely will be in there. God of War Ragnarok or similar games? Nope.

Anno · Jan 17, 2022

It might not be at launch, but day 1 on their subscription eventually is indeed an inevitability.

ianpm31 · Jan 17, 2022

Gamepass has refined the sub model and made it better but it's almost as if PS Now hasn't existed since 2015 well before gamepass and x cloud. I don't expect day and date Sony first party titles but I can see indies and mp titles launch.

bushmonkey · Jan 17, 2022

I know PSNow is not in the same league when it comes to the amount of newer games on the system and that it doesn't have first-party titles on day 1 but it's the same idea as GamePass and Sony had done it first. Microsoft were just in a more desperate situation to get customers onto the platform and were willing to spend way more money so their platform is now the one to beat but it doesn't mean Sony is only now looking to emulate their success....

Fisty · Jan 17, 2022

Kinda weird Sony's now making a "Game Pass competitor" when it's just doing what it's done for a long time by putting games on a subscription service, streaming or otherwise. Like, all this has existed long before Game Pass

krazen · Jan 17, 2022

anexanhume said:
Yeah, I think this plus NSO is just validation of the business model. If anything it will help GP adoption as consumers begin to see it as the norm.

I'm big on physical media but GP grew on me because the value proposition is so great. I play way more new releases than I would otherwise.

I am on this line; in a weird way this can help push their ecosystem since you've got two major industry titans signally this is the future, and since Sony has to play catchup this is a good short term boost.

Long term, crapshoot. But this is good news for right now.

CloseTalker · Jan 17, 2022

I know "reacts" is technically an appropriate word here, but I really wish we could just say "responds" lol

Pancracio17 · Jan 17, 2022

Isnt the rumored Spartacus just consolidating PSNow and PS+ into a single sub?

RedHeat · Jan 17, 2022

My hope is that Sony something different with their subscription services. It'll be boring to have each publisher doing a copy/paste of GamePass.

Deleted member 93062 · Jan 17, 2022

That's the right mindset. Game Pass is really special because they were the first to do it, and do it right with day one releases. Similar to how Xbox pushed the industry forward with online services. It's nothing Sony or even Nintendo can't replicate, they're just choosing not too currently, which gives Xbox the edge. They need to continue to innovate, make banger first party games, and separate themselves. Especially now that third party games are going to be in even fiercer bidding wars for what service they'll be on compared to PS Now days.

krazen · Jan 17, 2022

Fisty said:
Kinda weird Sony's now making a "Game Pass competitor" when it's just doing what it's done for a long time by putting games on a subscription service, streaming or otherwise. Like, all this has existed long before Game Pass

Agreed. But the branding is important and unlike Microsoft Sony has been like 'ehh' to pushing things like Playstation Now to the forefront.

Saint of Killers · Jan 17, 2022

If games being guaranteed sellers is the reason why Sony won't put their tentpole games on a sub service day one, then why didn't MS ring-fence Starfield from Game Pass?

Frieza · Jan 17, 2022

I wouldn't really describe Spartacus as a game pass competitor.

poklane · Jan 17, 2022

Pancracio17 said:
Isnt the rumored Spartacus just consolidating PSNow and PS+ into a single sub?

That, a bigger focus on games from older generations and a bigger budget. But yeah, it's way closer to what PlayStation Now currently is than it is to Game Pass.

Liliana · Jan 17, 2022

CloseTalker said:
I know "reacts" is technically an appropriate word here, but I really wish we could just say "responds" lol

Yeah, but it makes for a more spicy headline.

*Phil Spencer responds to questions asked*

IGN title: "Phil Spencer reacted to rumors"

Det · Jan 17, 2022

Liliana said:
Yeah, but it makes for a more spicy headline.

*Phil Spencer responds to questions asked*

IGN title: "Phil Spencer reacted to rumors"

"Phil Spencer SLAMS...."

jimbosimbo · Jan 17, 2022

Not looking forward to game's being split between Gamepass and PS "Whatever" in various exclusivity contracts :(

DontHateTheBacon · Jan 17, 2022

Wow. What a saucy reaction.

Frieza said:
I wouldn't really describe Spartacus as a game pass competitor.

This, seriously. I don't understand how anyone has read the reporting on "Spartacus" and thinks it is a GamePass competitor.

Deleted member 437 · Jan 17, 2022

I could see any first party MP focused game going day 1.

Look at deep rock galactic.

Day 1 on ps plus. 6 million+ ps players. Its insane.

giancarlo123x · Jan 17, 2022

I react to Phil Spencer's reaction

Calvinien · Jan 17, 2022

Fisty said:
Kinda weird Sony's now making a "Game Pass competitor" when it's just doing what it's done for a long time by putting games on a subscription service, streaming or otherwise. Like, all this has existed long before Game Pass

Right, but ps now topped out at like 2 million subs. GP has 10 times that. It was never a competition.

Kingdizzi · Jan 17, 2022

Anno said:
It might not be at launch, but day 1 on their subscription eventually is indeed an inevitability.

Just £40 a month!

This new subscription service sounds a lot like PS Now being rebranded and thrown in with PS+, which makes sense since I still don't understand what that service offered as someone that follows gaming. I did see my mate download RDR2 and TLOU2 from the service which I had no idea about, I thought it was streaming only.

Det · Jan 17, 2022

jimbosimbo43 said:
Not looking forward to game's being split between Gamepass and PS "Whatever" in various exclusivity contracts :(

That would be the concern for single-ecosystem users, but for multi-console/platform users it should lead to more variety. IF 3rd party games are/can only be associated with one service at a time, which I imagine the platform holders would want in the contract.

MercuryLS · Jan 17, 2022

Fisty said:
Kinda weird Sony's now making a "Game Pass competitor" when it's just doing what it's done for a long time by putting games on a subscription service, streaming or otherwise. Like, all this has existed long before Game Pass

PS Now existed before Gampass the same way BlackBerry smartphones existed before iPhone.

Goldenroad · Jan 17, 2022

jimbosimbo43 said:
Not looking forward to game's being split between Gamepass and PS "Whatever" in various exclusivity contracts :(

How is that any different than how these companies have historically paid for third party exclusivity on their platforms?

supercommodore · Jan 17, 2022

jimbosimbo43 said:
Not looking forward to game's being split between Gamepass and PS "Whatever" in various exclusivity contracts :(

So no difference from exclusivity deals we have now? Neither company are going to stop selling games outside of sub services.

MeltedDreams · Jan 17, 2022

Anno said:
It might not be at launch, but day 1 on their subscription eventually is indeed an inevitability.

Yep, i said that year ago on another thread, some people found it funny but things going that way this generation. Before most of us did not believed, Sony will port their biggest games and now look what happened. ;)

Expy · Jan 17, 2022

Who the heck is classifying Sparticus as a Game Pass competitor?

Shairi · Jan 17, 2022

Saint of Killers said:
If games being guaranteed sellers is the reason why Sony won't put their tentpole games on a sub service day one, then why didn't MS ring-fence Starfield from Game Pass?

Because Microsoft already put all their eggs in that basket. They promised every first party game will launch on Game Pass before they owned Bethesda and Starfield.

They can't go back from that now and pick and choose which games come to the service and which won't.

BubblegumNemesis · Jan 17, 2022

Was he laughing?

poklane · Jan 17, 2022

Expy said:
Who the heck is classifying Sparticus as a Game Pass competitor?

Sony internally according to Jason Schreier.

Uzupedro · Jan 17, 2022

This is what Jason said in the original Spartacus thread, I think it's silly to keep arguing semantics at this point:

To clear up a question I've seen asked here: Yes, Sony is internally positioning this as their own version of Xbox Game Pass. PS Now has been a disappointment and they know they are lagging behind Microsoft in this department. I'm sure it'll eventually be worthwhile to debate which service is more valuable, but arguing over whether this is or isn't a "competitor" is pretty silly. It doesn't need to have the exact same features to be competition.

gabegabe · Jan 17, 2022

I think it's great, give your customers choices to how they want/can play your games. Everybody wins.

jimbosimbo43 said:
Not looking forward to game's being split between Gamepass and PS "Whatever" in various exclusivity contracts :(

So business wil just continue as usual.

horsemama1956 · Jan 17, 2022

ianpm31 said:
Gamepass has refined the sub model and made it better but it's almost as if PS Now hasn't existed since 2015 well before gamepass and x cloud. I don't expect day and date Sony first party titles but I can see indies and mp titles launch.

PS Now wasn't very good though and its limited on the platforms it supports. Quite a few garbage titles on the service as well. While Now predates Game Pass, GP just does more and is marketed as a legit platform on its own with streaming. Rebranding and essentially starting over is smart, as most will always equate PS Now to mediocrity.

If they don't launch first party titles at release, it would cheapen the service in my mind. Its clear games can be incredibly successful even if you don't have record sales numbers to report anymore. Eventually Sony and Nintendo will need to buy into that.

SuperBoss · Jan 17, 2022

This is so premature lmao

Expy · Jan 17, 2022

poklane said:
Sony internally according to Jason Schreier.

Is there a quote of either Jason Schreier or these docs somewhere?

Fizie · Jan 17, 2022

Expy said:
Who the heck is classifying Sparticus as a Game Pass competitor?

Sony apparently.

Rick44-4 · Jan 17, 2022

Fisty said:
Kinda weird Sony's now making a "Game Pass competitor" when it's just doing what it's done for a long time by putting games on a subscription service, streaming or otherwise. Like, all this has existed long before Game Pass

You're completely right lol.

Antrax · Jan 17, 2022

bushmonkey said:
I know PSNow is not in the same league when it comes to the amount of newer games on the system and that it doesn't have first-party titles on day 1 but it's the same idea as GamePass and Sony had done it first. Microsoft were just in a more desperate situation to get customers onto the platform and were willing to spend way more money so their platform is now the one to beat but it doesn't mean Sony is only now looking to emulate their success....

PSNow was not launched as a streaming service as any kind of alternative to buying games. It was originally a rental service (a la Gamefly) and a pseudo-BC service for older titles.

Sony is working on another product internally that they view as their GP competitor. QED they don't see the product they have now as one.

Frieza said:
I wouldn't really describe Spartacus as a game pass competitor.

According to Jason, Sony does

poklane · Jan 17, 2022

Expy said:
Is there a quote of either Jason Schreier or these docs somewhere?

Post #35 in this thread

Josh5890 · Jan 17, 2022

I would wait until Spartacus is actually revealed and see the details before I can call it a GamePass competitor.

This is more likely to Sony's own thing/spin instead of just "chasing" GamePass.

Damien1990 · Jan 17, 2022

jimbosimbo43 said:
Not looking forward to game's being split between Gamepass and PS "Whatever" in various exclusivity contracts :(

It's already been like that with some games being on Game Pass, leaving then going on PS Now.

Saint of Killers said:
If games being guaranteed sellers is the reason why Sony won't put their tentpole games on a sub service day one, then why didn't MS ring-fence Starfield from Game Pass?

Because Microsoft explicitly stated that all first party games are coming to Game Pass on release?

Xbox Game Pass Expands To Include New Releases From Microsoft Studios - Xbox Wire

Phil Spencer, Head of Gaming at Xbox, discusses a major update to the Xbox Game Pass program. Details below: When we launched Xbox Game Pass in June 2017, we knew we wanted to craft a service with gamers in mind. That meant a diverse, expanding library of over 100 games and counting, matched...

majornelson.com

Moving forward, we plan to release all new Xbox One exclusive games from Microsoft Studios into Xbox Game Pass on the same date as their global release.

Case could be made that Bethesda doesn't count but I think they stood by the commitment after the takeover happened.

TheUnsungHero26 · Jan 17, 2022

Expy said:
Who the heck is classifying Sparticus as a Game Pass competitor?

Sony, according to Jason Schreier and NateDrake.

Mr. Snuffleupagus · Jan 17, 2022

Det said:
"Phil Spencer SLAMS...."

Lets be a bit more high-brow;

"Phil Spencer LAMBASTS...."

Mr.Deadshot · Jan 17, 2022

Fisty said:
Kinda weird Sony's now making a "Game Pass competitor" when it's just doing what it's done for a long time by putting games on a subscription service, streaming or otherwise. Like, all this has existed long before Game Pass

Agree. People automatically expect something like Game Pass, but I think a form of a relaunch of PS Now or consolidation of PS+ and PS Now is what we will really get. I don't expect PlayStation Pass with games like God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West Day 1 for 10€ monthly fee. These games sell way too well for Sony and they apparently can even milk them more successfully by putting them on PC for 50€ years later.

Expy · Jan 17, 2022

poklane said:
Post #35 in this thread

Positioning as their own version of Game PAss according to him. I see, we'll see once we get more information.
Since we know that first party games aren't included, it's more of a value added service than a complete value replacement service that Game Pass is.

Saint of Killers · Jan 17, 2022

Shairi said:
Because Microsoft already put all their eggs in that basket. They promised every first party game will launch on Game Pass before they owned Bethesda and Starfield.

They can't go back from that now and pick and choose which games come to the service and which won't.

And that's enough wriggle room to not release them, to say "Hey. Look. We know what we said, but this is a huge outlay for us and they're not coming to Game Pass day one. Sorry." And they'd totally be right to do that; the game(s) will likely be a system shifter and sell tonnes on PC as well. This is a fact. But it's still on Game Pass. If Starfield and other Bethesda games can release on Game Pass day one, then it's not beyond Sony's AAA efforts to do the same. They'll charge you through the nose for it, but I can see it happening.

Phil Spencer Reacts To Rumors Of PlayStation Game Pass Competitor

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