Unfortunately, Sony is yet to officially announce a service that would rival Game Pass’ popularity. Currently, rumors are making rounds online concerning the development of Sony’s answer to Xbox Game Pass, dubbed Project Spartacus. Given that Sony has neither confirmed nor denied Project Spartacus, details about its features remain a mystery. However, if the rumored Project Spartacus turns out to be real, what features must it have to rival or even surpass the success of Xbox Game Pass?
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Project Spartacus Must Include Day One Releases
One of the features that propelled Xbox Game Pass into popularity is the inclusion of games that Game Pass subscribers can have immediate access to on the day of release. Of course, given what Microsoft has acquired under its umbrella, Sony may have difficulty competing with the vast selection available on Xbox Game Pass.
However, it is worth noting that Sony also has several exclusive franchises that could potentially make Project Spartacus popular if added to the service on day one. Unfortunately, the inclusion of PlayStation exclusives on day one may be unlikely. This is because of Sony’s approach to marketing its first-party titles, which is evident in how the company handled the release of games on the PS5. Still, given Xbox Game Pass’ ongoing success, there is a chance that Sony will be forced to change its approach and include these exclusive games day-one on the rumored service.
A Classic PlayStation Game Library is Essential To Project Spartacus’ Success
According to reports regarding Project Spartacus, Sony plans to offer the service via three different tiers. The first one would be similar to the benefits and features of PS Plus, while the second would be similar to Game Pass, offering players new and old PS4 and PS5 games. The last tier is said to be the most expensive and will provide players with access to a selection of classic PS1, PS2, and PSP titles.
Again, these reports remain unconfirmed but granting players access to the PlayStation’s back catalog is a step in the right direction. It is worth noting that apart from Xbox Game Pass, Nintendo’s Switch Online service also provides players with a selection of games from previous Nintendo systems. Given this, it would be a misstep for Sony not to include this feature on Project Spartacus since access to Sony’s vast back catalog has been a long-requested feature by PlayStation players.
Project Spartacus Should Have Improved Streaming As Its Key Feature
One thing that players must remember about Xbox Game Pass is that it still requires players to download games to play them. For many, the download system is seen as much more reliable than streaming, given that not everyone has access to fast internet. This same hurdle is one of the main reasons that prevented PlayStation Now from becoming a huge success, given that this service requires an ultra-fast connection to play games.
If Sony wants to offer a feature that Xbox Game Pass doesn’t have, it needs to find a way to make video game streaming more accessible and reliable. Of course, Project Spartacus should still offer the option to download games. However, an improved streaming technology should be its heart and soul, especially with the increasing file size of games and the limited storage space consoles offer.
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