The next generation of game consoles could bring a change that has never been seen in the world before PlayStations common. According to current speculation, both Sony and Microsoft are reportedly considering offering their next consoles on a lease or long-term subscription basis. At first glance, this may be an attractive way to reduce the cost of entry. However, it may not be beneficial for most players at all.
While today most gamers use consoles PlayStation simply buy and own it for many years, a new model PlayStation 6 would work differently. Instead of a one-time payment, the customer would pay regular monthly feeHowever, the console would remain the property of the manufacturer at all times.
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This means that if the user stopped paying, he would lose the deviceIt would not be a classic financing with subsequent transfer of ownership, but rather a long-term lease similar to that which is common for cars, for example.
Big change inside Sony
There could be several reasons for this decision. Modern consoles are becoming increasingly expensive to develop and production costs are also rising. Microsoft has previously indicated that it is looking for new ways to get the hardware to more customers without deterring them from the high purchase price. And Sony it is very similar.
Monthly payments may seem attractive at first glance. Instead of a large one-time investment, the user pays a smaller amount each month, similar to streaming services or mobile tariffs.
A similar trend is starting to be seen across the technology market, with manufacturers increasingly looking to move to a recurring payment model that provides them with more stable revenue and a longer-term relationship with customers.
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Good on paper, less so in practice
However, leasing a console also comes with a number of disadvantages. The biggest one is the fact that even after several years of paying, the device may not be yours. In addition, the total amount paid can exceed the regular price of the console, especially if the player will use the device for the entire generational lifespan, which typically exceeds six years.
Another risk is possible contractual terms Sony, such as limitations on equipment damage, return obligations, or early termination fees.
However, it is important to emphasize that Sony yet PlayStation 6 has not officially introduced or confirmed any leasing program. Similarly, Microsoft has not announced a similar model for its next-generation Xbox. The information is based on the statements of a well-known insider who has been monitoring the development of the console market for a long time.
But if these plans were to come to fruition, it would be one of the biggest changes in home console history, as Sony would be following the increasingly strong subscription trend represented by services like PlayStation Plus, while Microsoft has been developing an ecosystem for many years Game PassThe next logical step could be a subscription to the hardware itself.
Pretty crap, paying a lot of money to own nothing at all.