Talking Point: If Xbox Drops the Cost, Would You Be Happy Still Paying for PS6 Multiplayer?

It is rumored that, with Microsoft’s forthcoming Xbox system, the organization intends to eliminate the necessity to pay for online multiplayer access.

If this is indeed the situation, Sony’s PS6 might be the lone next-gen console still demanding payment for the convenience.

Clearly, we won’t have definite answers until it actually occurs, but it raises the inquiry: Will PlayStation enthusiasts be perturbed? Will it matter?

Paying for online multiplayer has been woven into the essence of console gaming for quite some time, and interestingly enough, it was Xbox that pioneered this trend.

When the Xbox 360 debuted, players were required to subscribe to Xbox Live to enjoy online gaming with friends. In contrast, on PS3, the developing PlayStation Network and all its online offerings were at no cost — as they were (and continue to be, of course) on PC.

Granted, PSN did feel somewhat hastily assembled in those initial days; PS3 was Sony’s first genuinely connected console, after all, and it took a bit to ensure the technology met modern user expectations.

It was free, however, which meant that despite suffering from one of the most notorious security breaches in history, Sony largely managed to evade backlash.

That said, premium Xbox Live wasn’t flawless — it had its downtimes as well, not to mention the Xbox 360 hardware’s infamous unreliability, particularly in its earlier versions.

Nonetheless, Sony caught on with PS4, as online multiplayer became one of the features of its subscription service, PS Plus.

At the time, this felt like a bit of a blow for PlayStation users, but it was indeed a take-it-or-leave-it scenario. Charging for online gaming was the competitive standard, so it just appeared to be the direction the industry was moving.

Eventually, Nintendo joined in as well, and here we are: All significant console platforms now require consumers to pay for online multiplayer.

If the rumors hold true, it appears Xbox plans to abandon this method when its more expansive console/PC hybrid launches in a couple of years.

This makes sense for a device that unifies both your Xbox and PC libraries. If your console can access Steam, why on earth would you pay for online gameplay on the Xbox when it is available for free?

It is conceivable that Microsoft may be offsetting that potential revenue loss by increasing the cost of the hardware itself. Allegedly, PS6 could signal a relative deal when comparing the price tags of the consoles.

However, for Sony, reverting online gaming to a complimentary service seems less logical. We can hardly fathom how much profit platform holders have generated solely from players eager to enjoy Call of Duty online with friends — why halt that revenue stream when the PS6 will persist as a more restricted platform compared to Xbox?

The sole rationale for emulating Microsoft’s approach in this area would be to maintain user satisfaction. It’s clearly not going to project a positive image if PS6 is demanding payment for online gameplay while the competition does not, irrespective of rationale.

Yet, if PS6 is introduced as a more affordable next-gen device and remains a closed platform, Sony may find little justification for removing online multiplayer from PS Plus Essential.

This situation is further complicated given that many of today’s most popular online titles are entirely free to play. No PS Plus subscription is necessary to engage in Fortnite, Apex Legends, Genshin Impact, Roblox, Marvel Rivals, Rocket League, and many more.

Thus, for a lot of players, if PS6 continues to charge for online access, it might not even be a significant issue.

Another factor to contemplate is what additional perks you gain by subscribing to PS Plus Essential for online access, as they may render it worthwhile.

Besides online multiplayer, PS Plus Essential provides you with:

• Cloud storage for game saves
• Exclusive content packs in selected games
• Exclusive discounts on the PS Store
• The often-overlooked Share Play function
• A selection of PS5/PS4 games each month

The latter consideration is crucial for some individuals, and while it is entirely subjective, the sentiment appears to be quite optimistic regarding the 2025 game lineup. Notable mentions include Dragon Age: The Veilguard, RoboCop: Rogue City, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, Balatro, Diablo 4, Lies of P, and Alan Wake 2.

If you are fully capitalizing on what PS Plus Essential provides, having online multiplayer included makes it easier to accept.

Nonetheless, even so, if Xbox abandons the requirement, many individuals will desire the same on PS6, plain and clear.

Online gaming has persistently been free on PC, and Xbox eliminating the charge may compel Sony to follow suit. Whether they will cave is another matter.

Nintendo will quietly continue to maintain its position, partially because Nintendo Switch Online is relatively inexpensive, and partially due to the company being notoriously enigmatic and firmly on its own trajectory. With PlayStation, the future remains more uncertain.

However, we want to hear your thoughts. If Xbox eliminates its online fee, how would you feel about Sony maintaining it on PS6? Would it deter you from the platform? Will you be indifferent, or even take note?

Participate in our poll, and share your views in the comments section below.