Sony’s PlayStation Plus, as well as other console manufacturers’ online services, should be free for all users, if only for a time. Games, and particularly online games, are providing a welcome escape from the frightening and stressful real world of today, which makes it feel cruel that these companies are still charging users money for basic online access through services like PlayStation Plus.
The novel coronavirus pandemic has forced people all over the world to remain indoors, either obligated to stay inside by shelter-in-place orders or simply practicing conscientious social distancing by keeping as far away from others as possible. In order to combat the boredom and loneliness experienced when trapped inside, many people have been flocking to video games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, where they can hang out with friends over the internet.
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This increase in video game interest has led to shortages in physical products, such as the sold-out Nintendo Switch, meaning it can be difficult for some who don’t already have a console to get into the hobby. But paid online services are still a big barrier to entry for those who already have a game system.
Why Console Online Services Should Be Free
In February and then again in March, Steam experienced record-high player numbers. Microsoft later reported a similar record player count for Xbox Live - which also experienced a 775% increase in cloud service demand – and both PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online likely saw the same spike. PC game launchers like Steam and the Epic Games Store don’t require users to pay for access to their games’ online features, but each of these console services do, costing $9.99, $9.99, and $3.99 per month, respectively. With the huge increases in player numbers these platforms are seeing, chances are they’re also making huge amounts of money on their online memberships. But Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have a moral obligation to make online access free.
It’s not like these record-high user numbers are simply due to people being bored, after all, no longer able visit friends’ homes or go out on the weekends. According to BuzzFeed News, roughly 10 million Americans filed for unemployment in the past two weeks, a staggeringly high record of jobless claims. That means, in all likelihood, many of the people jumping onto PlayStation Plus “don’t have anything better to do” because they aren’t able to work anymore. That also means those same players don’t have jobs to pay for online multiplayer services and could be struggling to afford other, more pressing monthly costs.
In the same way social media has for years, games are functioning as an important meeting space for people separated by physical distance, and users should not need to continue paying for the ability to socialize on top of internet, game, and console prices. Even if it means making a separate, free tier of online that doesn’t give access to the complimentary games available through PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo need to get rid of online multiplayer fees during coronavirus quarantines.
