What threat does Gamepass pose for Sony in the long run?

[DroidKnight]

Runa216 said:

Oh, there are differences between DRM and Gamepass/Now. no doubt. However, it's just another step towards taking control away from the consumer. Game companies have been trying to limit how much control people have for ages. they fought likened used games to piracy and fought it until people resisted, they tried to implement DRM in many ways and people resisted, Microsoft tried to make the Xbox One Always Online from the get-go and people resisted. now they're following in the path of Netflix and once again trying to control what people can play and how they can play it. It's not the same, but it's another way to get to the same point. 

Long story short, forcing us into monthly subscriptions and curating what is on there controls us, at least a bit. It's not inherently bad on its own - Netflix and other video streaming services are great - but for an interactive medium it does encourage playing now, playing often, and not waiting just in case something goes down. It forces you to be online. It's a good deal, for sure (Both Now and Gamepass, in their own ways), but it's just a far easier to digest version of Always Online DRM in a manner of speaking. 

I play games at my own pace. It's why I don't even borrow and never used to rent. It's also why I don't play Games as a Service games, games with recurrent spending, or many online games. IT's also why I love Sony's offerings: Almost all of their games are singleplayer offline games.

Clearly these online games and these service models have an audience - they keep making money - but there will always be plenty of people who want games that aren't on the clock. I'm one of them, and I'm not the only one. 

I am in no way knocking PS Now or Gamepass, but those services aren't for me either.

I also have never subscribed to a tv streaming service not even free trials.  I had custom shelving made to build a Movie and TV show library.  The problem I'm having now is completing some of my TV series collections.  Everything fine and then season 6, 7, or eight only available through Amazon, Netflix, ABC, I'm thankful some of these are still completed in other countries and I just import them in through customs.  I did have to acquire a region changeable Ultra-high definition blu-ray player. 

Once this starts happening with Video games; I'm done.  I'll just buy for older systems or replay what I have. Or for that matter play what I have for the first time, my backlog spans generations and brands.

I hope Gamepass is successful but I won't be forced into it.