In the past, PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass, formerly known as Xbox Live, were limited to online gaming. Today, these services are a must for owners of PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass: the origins
PlayStation Plus was launched in 2010 by Sony as a paid subscription service for PlayStation 3 users to compete with Microsoft. Originally, the service offered features such as online play, game discounts and exclusive demos. In 2022, PlayStation Plus evolved into a more interesting service, notably with the introduction of free games every month and a fixed catalog of games.
Formerly known as Xbox Live, this service offered gamers access to online gaming. Xbox Game Pass was launched in 2017 by Microsoft for the Xbox One console. It has been designed as an on-demand gaming service offering unlimited access to a rotating library of games. Game Pass has grown in popularity thanks to its attractively priced subscription model, enabling gamers to discover a wide variety of games, including Xbox exclusives. The service has been extended to PCs and mobile devices thanks to cloud gaming functionality.Solutions to reduce subscription costs
Formulas, content and prices
Xbox Game Pass also offers several subscription options. Gamers can choose between Xbox Game Pass for consoles or the version that combines all the benefits with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate compatible for PC and Xbox. Subscriptions are available on a monthly or annual basis. Xbox Game Pass benefits include:
–Access to a library of games : Subscribers have unlimited access to a wide selection of games, including Xbox exclusives, as soon as they are released.
Discounts on games: Subscribers benefit from exclusive discounts on games and add-ons available in the Microsoft Store.
-Xbox Live Gold: The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription also includes an Xbox Live Gold subscription, which lets you play online on Xbox consoles.
The Xbox Game Pass catalog is constantly updated, offering gamers a vast choice of games from different publishers. Popular titles such as “Halo Infinite”, “Forza Horizon 5” and “Sea of Thieves” are included in the catalog.
PlayStation Plus offers a range of subscription packages:
–Free monthly games: Every month, subscribers receive a selection of free games for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles, available for as long as the subscription is active.
-Online multiplayer: you need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play online with other players.
-Exclusive discounts: PlayStation Plus members benefit from additional discounts on selected games and downloadable content.
-Online storage: Subscribers have access to an online storage space to save their game data.
The PlayStation Plus games catalog (different from the monthly games offered each month) includes a variety of titles, from indie games to blockbusters. Some popular games offered in the past include “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End”, “Bloodborne”, “Control” and many more.
Solutions to reduce subscription costs
The price of PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions can be an obstacle for some gamers. However, there are ways to benefit from lower prices. One such solution is sharing an Xbox subscriptions with others. PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions allow users to share their accounts with friends and family, making access to vast game libraries more accessible. By sharing the costs, individual subscription costs are reduced, making the service more affordable for everyone. Trusted sites such as Sharesub.com offer the possibility of sharing free seats to reduce costs, optimizing the gaming experience and access to a multitude of titles without compromising the quality or exclusive access offered by these subscription services.
How can I get a free Game Pass?
Microsoft sometimes offers free trials of Xbox Game Pass. You can also take advantage of special offers or promotions to get a free trial period. But this is only for a very short time.
Which subscription formula should I choose?
The choice depends on the player’s individual preferences. If you own an Xbox console and a PC, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is an interesting choice, as it offers the best value for money.
For Playstation Plus, the Extra offer remains the most attractive, offering a wide catalog of very interesting games. The Premium offer lacks the interesting exclusions needed to subscribe to it.
Which is better between Xbox Game Pass and Playstation Plus?
The answer to this question is subjective and depends on the player’s personal preferences. In terms of value for money, Xbox Game Pass offers the best advantages, plus a highly interesting catalog of new Xbox day one releases. However, Game Pass is very advantageous if you also play on PC. Nevertheless, Playstation Plus is very interesting for console gamers, giving them access to the Japanese console’s much better exclusives.
