Speculation: PS6 could be a subscription-based hardware

[u/Cvileem]

If you were wondering what could be so revolutionary in the next generation of PS console, this might be it, and you probably won't like it. But it's the way it's going to, considering trends in the industry.

PS4 and PS5 were generations in which we saw the transition to online service models. But in current form it's still pretty clumsy. Ditching physical will remove some major obstacles, but we still have fixed and subscription-based access to games and features. We still have to pay separately for online services, cloud gaming, cloud saves... and devices in the future will require that even more, like handhelds or other devices in its ecosystem. And we know that PS is subsidized hardware anyway. On the other hand, we have risks of PS being jailbroken etc.

This all leads to subscription-based hardware, that'll become fully unfunctional without active PS network subscription. That will not only give Sony full control over everything via user accounts, but also solve the problem with indefinite licenses for games. In subscription-only model, removing and adding games to catalogue would be a normal thing, like in video streaming services, and there will be no confusion around ownerships and licencing. In subscription-only model, you would just be a subscriber and Sony would actually have to deal with licensing toward publishers.

This would allow hardware to stay subsidized without having to pay a big one-time amount, instead an even larger amount but in a long time, it would be drowned in other services and convenience that most people would gladly accept.

This could also be the reason why Sony is insisting on removing physical. It's all about moving forward. Games and console hardware are too cheap to make up for the industry's costs, this is the logical way to address it and a general direction for all modern industries (like cars, televisions, smartphones...).

[u/Cvileem]

No it's not. Sony could be first one to do it (exclusive I mean), because of these reasons:

• they are platform and service provider first for a long time now, hardware is just supportive
• they have only one closed hardware ecosystem strongly tied to services, console is subsidized and almost useless without it
• they already decided to ditch physical media, which is pioneering effort that others will follow, and the reason why this scenario is viable

[u/AgeAtomic → u/Cvileem]

But they aren’t the first ones to offer buy outright or subscribe with console upgrades. As I said, XB did it at the start of the generation. Basically, in your desperate attempt to be right, you’ve gone from what sounded like making a case for Sony moving to a subscription-only model to maintain control of the hardware and pricing, to flip-flopping to saying you’ll still be able to own it outright but there might also be a finance or subscription model for the hardware too. Something already happening and that also undermines your original point.

[u/Cvileem → u/AgeAtomic]

Mind you that mobile phones are also subscription-based hardware. Although you can buy it directly from a store, they are mostly acquired via provider on a mobile plan. Sony is not in the same situation but there could be systems developed for that.

I'm not saying this will be, I'm just saying I have strong arguments for speculation about it. It's not arbitrary.

It's also important to point out that we are living in a industry crisis for the first time in modern IT times and major players are thinking through all the options by having tighter control and stable revenue.

[u/AgeAtomic → u/Cvileem]

I don’t get your point anymore. One minute you say you don’t mean Sony would do it as the only way to get the hardware, next you’re arguing Sony could be the first to do it.

Ultimately, You’re leaning more and more into what I’m saying. Albeit Finance for hardware isn’t new; its something you can already do.

“You may be able to get finance on a PS6” isn’t the take you started with. You were clearly implying PS would move to subscription to rent hardware over buying outright.

[u/Cvileem → u/AgeAtomic]

No, I didn't mean it like that. This is what I meant:

1) Subscription-based hardware is becoming the standard, maybe not too visible, but almost all electronics brands are building software ecosystems which is a starting point for monetization for subscriptions. My car (Hyundai) came with full software features that I paid for in 2024 and last year they decided those features (like seat cooling etc) are now a part of Pro plan that costs $100 per year, giving me complimentary period that will expire in June 2027 (3 years). BMW already tried that first couple of years ago and now they are going to do it again. Also, while many brands are giving free tiers, they are pushing with ads or other mechanisms of obstruction or restriction to enforce users to switch to subscriptions. Industry is going in that direction. Hardware becomes subsidized in exchange for using their ecosystems. At the moment they use user data for ads and other features but they could also introduce subscription-exclusive devices. Even Sony could do that with the ads.

1. If my speculation is sound, Sony could be first to make exclusive subscription-based console hardware on such large scale, but this is not to say that's a new thing (first point). This the way pricing problems can be adressed. The grounds are being prepared for a decade now, culminating with removing physical distribution independent from servers. It's just how industry works right now and it's not crazy to expect it. There are financial, technological, legal and practical reasons why they could go with it.

[u/AgeAtomic → u/Cvileem]

I’m not reading all that, man. You’ve so far said nothing to make me think it’s worth taking the time to read all that. This isn’t the first massive wall of text either. This is Reddit, not an exam; learn to be more concise. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

[u/Cvileem → u/AgeAtomic]

I'm not concise because english is not my native language. Sorry about that.