Sony has launched PS Plus Video Pass, an on-demand video streaming service that is included with PS Plus, but it is only available in Poland. The company said that the service is in its testing phase, and will later decide whether to make it available for subscribers around the world.
Details about the PS Plus Video Pass surfaced on April 21, when a logo for the streaming service was published on Sony’s website with a description on the company’s Polish website. The next day, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s global services VP Nick Maguire spoke about the service in an interview with Polish website Spider’s Web. In the interview, Maguire confirmed that the streaming service would be available to PS4 and PS5 owners with a PS Plus Subscription at no additional cost.
Maguire also revealed that the service would only be available in Poland until Sony collects enough usage data to determine whether to launch the app worldwide. However, he added that there is possibility that the streaming service may never receive a wide release. PS Plus Video Pass is launching with 15 movies and six TV shows, including movies such as Venom, Jumanji, and Zomebieland: Double Tap. More movies and shows will be added to the service every three months, until its trial phase ends. The launch was accompanied by a Polish trailer that released today.
According to Maguire, Sony chose to test the service in Poland based on specific data. Sony plans to use the trial phase to track which movies and shows are watched the most, as well as how often subscribers use the PS Plus streaming service. The data collected will determine whether Sony will give PS Plus video pass a wide release.
PS Plus Video Pass is likely part of Sony’s strategy to compete with Xbox Game Pass. Sony has had a difficult time keeping up with Microsoft’s successful Game Pass service, which offers subscribers access to a large library of games, ranging from new releases to Xbox classics. But Microsoft does not have a access to vast catalogue of movies and TV shows like Sony. Sony also owns anime companies Funimation and Crunchyroll, and may add shows from those studios to its Video Pass service. This means that PS plus Video Pass could give Sony a much-needed edge over Xbox Game Pass.
It seems that PS Plus has also stepped its game offerings in the last few months. Recent additions have included Final Fantasy 7 Remake and multiple Call of Duty titles, as many fans have voiced that would like to see Sony expand the PS Plus library. Cities Skylines and Farming Simulator will arrive on PS Plus in May.
Source: Push Square