MeinMMO author Maik Schneider has been sitting in front of PlayStation consoles for 20 years and has been a member of PS Plus for 10 years. He particularly celebrates the “Sharing” feature and is now concerned that a Game Pass for PS4 and PS5 might come at the expense of the best PS Plus feature.
This is the situation:
- Insider reports suggest that PlayStation might bring its own Game Pass – “Spartacus”
- 3 subscription models are being discussed, each offering more service the more you pay
- However, a change to PS Plus could also alter the old rules that allowed you to save a lot of money over the years
“Spartacus” for PS5 and PS4 could change everything
Which feature is in question? I am referring to the so-called “Sharing”. With this, up to 4 consoles can benefit from the PS Plus advantages without having to pay extra (2x PS5 / 2x PS4).
I have been using this feature since the PS3 days. Back then, I could share my purchased content with up to 5 people: all at no extra cost.
If you set it up on a friend’s console, they can use all your games.
You can only use your own account on your PlayStation to access the games and PS Plus – but often you only use your own account anyway.
Why could this disappear? Over the years, this feature has gradually shrunk. It first went from 5 consoles to 3 during the PS3 era.
With the PS4, the function changed, and I had to set a “primary PS4”. Therefore, only one friend could benefit from it. This has been activated at my girlfriend’s console for years, allowing her to play everything I buy or grab in PS Plus.
Access to the online multiplayer, which is included in the PS Plus package, is also possible.
On the PS5, the function is now called “Console Sharing and Offline Play”. However, this is essentially the same as the primary PS4.
If costs and services increase, there is indeed the risk that Sony will pull the plug on this “generous” feature.
Currently, a yearly subscription costs just under €60, and Sony loses only about €5 per month from sharing. This “loss” would significantly increase if a Game Pass with sharing were to come for PlayStation.
What does PlayStation want to change? According to insider reports, Sony is planning 3 subscription models for the new PS Plus:
- PS Plus – Essential for $10: The known basic subscription – monthly games and multiplayer access
- PS Plus – Extra for $13: The contents of the basic subscription plus a game library with selected titles
- PS Plus – Premium for $16: Content of the first two packages plus an additional streaming service that enables cloud gaming
Currently, there is no official confirmation from Sony regarding the price and content of the new services.
Why could the feature also remain? Currently, I still hope that sharing will remain part of PS Plus – across all possible subscription models.
There is a similar function for Xbox consoles, and if PlayStation removes the feature, it gives another argument for the fantastic offer of the Xbox Game Pass.
So please, PlayStation, keep sharing active. I’ve had my eye on the Xbox Series for a while, and if sharing disappears, my gaming hours on my PS5 will dwindle as well.
What do you think about the topic? Do you use sharing? Do you support a Game Pass for PlayStation? Discuss with us in the comments.
