There’s a growing belief that Microsoft will soon allow Xbox players to access online multiplayer games without needing a paid subscription with their next console generation.
If this is true, the PlayStation 6 might be the only new console that still makes you pay extra to use its online services.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what actually happens, but it really makes you wonder: will PlayStation fans even care? Will it actually change anything for them?
Online multiplayer has long required payment in console gaming, and surprisingly, Xbox was the first to introduce this model.
With the release of the Xbox 360, playing online games with friends required a paid Xbox Live subscription. However, Sony’s PlayStation 3 offered online services through the PlayStation Network for free, a feature also available on PC.
It’s no surprise the PlayStation Network felt a bit rough around the edges when it first launched. The PS3 was Sony’s initial attempt at a fully online console, and the technology needed time to evolve to meet players’ expectations.
Okay, so the game was free, which was awesome. And yeah, Sony’s security got totally wrecked – it was a huge deal! But honestly, because it was free to begin with, they didn’t really face much backlash for it. They kinda got lucky, if you ask me.
Look, even though I paid for Xbox Live Gold, it wasn’t always smooth sailing – we definitely had some server outages. And honestly, the Xbox 360 itself? Let’s just say the early models weren’t the most reliable. I remember a lot of hardware issues back then!
Sony found success with the PlayStation 4, particularly by including online multiplayer gaming as part of its PlayStation Plus subscription service.
Honestly, when PlayStation started charging for online play, it stung a little. It felt like we didn’t really have a choice – either pay up or miss out. But looking around, it seemed like everyone else was doing it too, so it just felt like the direction the whole gaming industry was heading.
Nintendo eventually joined the trend, and now all major gaming consoles require a paid subscription for online multiplayer.
It appears Xbox intends to move away from this current strategy when it releases a new, more flexible console and PC system in a few years.
It’s logical for a system that merges your Xbox and PC game collections. If your console can already use Steam, there’s really no reason to pay for Xbox online services when you can access the same features for free.
Microsoft may be making up for lost revenue by increasing the price of its consoles. Based on initial estimates, the PlayStation 6 could actually be more affordable than Microsoft’s next console when you just look at the price tags.
It seems less logical for Sony to make online gaming free again. They’ve likely earned a significant amount of money from players wanting to play games like Call of Duty online, and it’s unclear why they would stop that income, especially since PlayStation will likely remain a closed platform unlike Xbox.
The main reason to avoid charging for online play, like Microsoft does, is simply to satisfy customers. It wouldn’t look good for the PlayStation 6 to require a subscription when other consoles offer online access for free, no matter the justification.
However, if the PS6 is a more affordable next-generation console and Sony continues to keep its system closed, they might not remove online multiplayer access from the basic PS Plus Essential subscription.
Things get trickier when you realize a lot of today’s most popular online games don’t cost anything to play. You can enjoy games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Genshin Impact, Roblox, Marvel Rivals, and Rocket League without needing a PlayStation Plus subscription.
For many, then, PS6 still charging to go online might not even register as a concern.
Consider the extra perks you receive with a PlayStation Plus Essential subscription, beyond just online access. These benefits might make the cost feel justified.
In addition to online multiplayer, PS Plus Essential gives you access to:
- Cloud storage for game saves
- Exclusive content packs in certain games
- Exclusive PS Store discounts
- The oft-forgotten Share Play feature
- A handful of PS5/PS4 games per month
Whether or not people are excited about the games coming in 2025 often comes down to personal preference, but overall, the response has been very positive. Some of the most anticipated titles include Dragon Age: The Veilguard, RoboCop: Rogue City, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, Balatro, Diablo 4, Lies of P, and Alan Wake 2.
If you’re already getting the benefits of PS Plus Essential, including online multiplayer, the change feels less impactful.
Even with all of that considered, if Xbox removes the requirement, many will likely ask for the same change on the PlayStation 6. It’s a straightforward expectation.
Playing online games has always been free on computers, and Xbox removing its fees could encourage Sony to do the same. It remains to be seen if Sony will respond to this change.
Nintendo will likely continue to succeed without major criticism, largely because its online service is affordable and the company tends to operate independently and keep its plans to itself. The situation is less certain for PlayStation.
We’re curious to hear your opinion on this: If Xbox stopped charging for online access, how would you react to Sony continuing to charge a fee for PlayStation 6? Would that discourage you from using the PlayStation platform, or wouldn’t you care, or even notice the difference?
Take part in our poll, and tell us what you think in the comments section below.
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2025-10-31 20:08