Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are all console manufacturers and despite their differences, they all share one thing in common; making consumers pay for online access. Sony has PlayStation Plus, Microsoft has Xbox Live Gold and Nintendo has its Nintendo Switch Online service.

The idea that consumers have to pay for a subscription service so that they can play online while they are already paying for Internet access for their homes is frustrating for some.

WJPS senior, David Montoya, commented with “Definitely a nuisance, you obviously want to play online with your friends but I can’t fully discard it since it is a cheaper alternative, PC’s can be very expensive.”

As unsatisfactory as some believe these subscription services are, they do come with a couple perks. Both Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus offer games with no extra charge per month free to download but when your subscription isn’t renewed, those games you redeemed will be locked until you buy another month of the service. 

WJPS senior, Luca Vivar Amaya stated, “Paying for PlayStation Plus stinks. It’s 60 dollars I could have used for anything else. It’s not necessary, it has some benefits but I will be honest, the PlayStation five has no games and PlayStation Plus does not make it better, monthly games are subpar half the time.”

“PS4” by Mooshuu is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.