PlayStation still won't launch first-party games day-one on PS Plus like Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft and Sony continue to take very different approaches to day-one releases. While gamers regularly find first-party titles debuting on Xbox Game Pass, PS Plus subscribers must wait much longer. A Game File interview with PlayStation Vice President of Global Services Nick Maguire confirmed that the company's strategy is unlikely to change.

Maguire discussed how launching indie and sporadic third-party titles on the various PS Plus tiers has been successful. However, first-party PlayStation games are unlikely to become available on their release dates for at least a year. The executive believes that delaying these additions to the catalog benefits the company.

During a 2023 GamesIndustry.biz interview, Maguire defined two categories of consumers. Many buyers remain willing to pay full price for anticipated AAA releases. On the other hand, different audiences who prefer subscriptions also embrace first-party PS Plus games when they arrive.

In contrast to PlayStation, Microsoft is eager to offer its exclusive projects to fans immediately. Even so, critics believe that these day-one Xbox Game Pass games only serve to devalue the titles. Single-player games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle may not be a great fit. It's tempting to subscribe for a month to complete a quick playthrough.

Players aren't always thrilled by the free PS Plus games Sony adds to the service each month. First-party entries are rare, and other games may not be widely known or have less-than-stellar reviews. Nevertheless, although PlayStation won't release member counts, Maguire is pleased with the service's growth. Despite price increases in some regions, 40% of PS Plus subscribers opt to pay for the upgraded tiers. Also, more gamers pay for the pricier Premium tier than the mid-tier Extra.

For July 2025, once again, PS Plus won't feature any first-party PlayStation titles. Sony announced that Diablo IV and the King of Fighters XV headline the new crop of games.