Console Gamers, Stop Denying: PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass Multiplayer Fees Are Unjustified - They're Why PC Gaming Long-Term Costs Are Questionably Lower

Diving into the Gaming Universe: Why PC Gaming Beats Consoles

My foray into the gaming PC world wasn't a walk in the park, but it's been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. As a console gamer too, specifically on the PS5, transitioning from a straightforward setup to tweaking files and adjusting settings was a headache.

But once I got the hang of it and discovered the perks of the platform, notably free multiplayer games (a much-needed feature), it became my go-to gaming haven.

Sadly, that's not the case with consoles. The paid online multiplayer subscription model introduced by both Microsoft and Sony (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, respectively) has become an annoying norm that gamers have grown accustomed to.

You might say, "It's been like this for years, and it's standard." However, it's the very acceptance of this norm that's the issue. Gamers have come to view this as an obligatory expense, failing to question why this extra cost is necessary when we already pay for internet services.

On PC, there's no need to fork out additional cash to dive into new online games on platforms like Steam, Battle.net, or the Epic Games Store.

Less Hardware, Lower Costs

Despite the inflated prices of GPUs, PC gaming equipment is generally more expensive than consoles. However, the actual expense of playing games is significantly lower.

PC gamers have access to a plethora of inexpensive games through platforms like the Epic Games Store, Prime Gaming, or online key marketplaces like CD Keys. In contrast, the selection of console games on these sites is limited, and if available, they're often old titles reaching the market months after launch.

What's more disappointing is that Sony's PlayStation Store boasts few steep sales, and old games continue to hold their original retail prices, even years after launch. For instance, God of War Ragnarok (2022) still retails for $69.99.

Either you shell out the money (which might soon reach $80) or wait for a rare deal on a game that may take weeks or months to arise, given the industry's shift away from physical copies. At least with physical copies, this wouldn't be a significant issue, as prices would fluctuate, and you could hold onto your game. However, this luxury is gradually fading away.

I held onto my RTX 3080 Ti for 4 years after buying it at £1,099 (equivalent to $1,199). Despite the subpar PC ports of recent years, I could have continued with Nvidia's RTX 3000 series GPU if I hadn't been offered an upgrade.

In contrast, console generations inevitably demand hardware upgrades, making the costs accumulate over time.

The Elephant in the Room: PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass

We can't ignore the elephant in the room: PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass. The former's basic subscription plan, called 'Essential', costs $59.99 a year, just a few bucks shy of the standard edition of a new Call of Duty game at $69.99. Add the cost of the service and the game, and you're paying $129.98.

The 'Premium' plan, which mirrors Xbox Game Pass but lacks day-one titles, costs $119.99. You see where this is heading?

I'm a supporter of Microsoft's Game Pass service, which offers plenty of new games for both console and PC players on day one, unlike PS Plus. Its monthly offerings, while not always impressive, allow PC players to indulge in cheap gaming. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for my PS5 experience—it's not a matter of being broke, but knowing what's worth purchasing and what isn't.

If the costs of PC hardware have deterred you from venturing into the gaming PC world, remember that the initial hurdle is the price of the hardware. After that, the affordability and freedom from unnecessary paywalls make the journey worthwhile.

Console Gamers, Stop Denying: PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass Multiplayer Fees Are Unjustified - They're Why PC Gaming Long-Term Costs Are Questionably Lower