Initially, PlayStation 3 offered online multiplayer gaming for free. However, when the PlayStation 4 launched, Sony began requiring a PlayStation Plus subscription to access online multiplayer, which caused some quiet frustration among players.
The discussion about whether online multiplayer should cost extra faded away a few years ago, but it’s starting up again. Reports suggest the next Xbox won’t require a subscription to play online, which would make PlayStation 6 the only next-generation console still charging for online access through PS Plus Essential.
According to a new report from Windows Central, Microsoft doesn’t plan to charge players a subscription fee to play multiplayer on the next Xbox. Sources familiar with the plans have indicated that multiplayer access will be free.
Sony hasn’t officially said how online multiplayer will work on the PS6, but it likely won’t change much from the current system. Like with the PS5 and PS4, free-to-play games like Fortnite won’t require a PlayStation Plus subscription. However, you’ll still need PS Plus to play paid online games, such as Call of Duty and future titles like Battlefield 6.
Nintendo requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership to play games online, including titles like Mario Kart World on the Switch 2. However, since the Switch 2 has been available for four months and will be over two years old by the time the PlayStation 6 arrives, it won’t be considered a main competitor to the next generation of consoles.
Microsoft is reportedly shifting its Xbox strategy to become more like a third-party publisher, and the next Xbox console may function more like a powerful PC. This could allow users to access games from multiple digital stores – like Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store – all on one device, alongside the standard Xbox Store. Interestingly, this approach might also enable Xbox owners to play games currently exclusive to PlayStation consoles.
According to Windows Central, you won’t need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to play online multiplayer on the next Xbox console. However, the current Xbox Series X|S will likely still require a subscription.
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2025-10-27 18:07