Time to unsub?
Inflation hitting video game subscription services this year
Prices for Sony’s PlayStation Plus subscription service increased by around 30 percent today. A 12-month subscription to the basic PS Plus Essential plan, which offers a handful of games each month, cloud storage, and online multiplayer, is now S$70.90, up from S$53.90. The higher-tier Extra and Deluxe plans, which give access to more games on top of what you get with Essential, are now S$120.90 (S$89.90 previously) and S$139.90 (S$103.90 previously) respectively.
It’s a kick in the teeth for consumers who have been grappling with inflation in recent years. Paying S$5.90 a month for the cheapest Essential plan seems especially egregious. The monthly free games are usually older, and less popular titles. And other Essential features like online multiplayer and cloud saves are basically a tax for console users — PC platforms like Steam don’t charge for them.
Microsoft also increased the prices for its Game Pass video game subscription service in July. However, the sticker shock is less painful — around a dollar a month for Xbox Game Pass, and two dollars a month for Ultimate Game Pass (lets you play on both PC and Xbox). But Microsoft’s Game Pass also includes more day-one game releases, such as Bethesda’s Starfield (incidentally, available today). Meanwhile, it may take months, if not years before Sony’s exclusives are available on PS Plus.
That being said, video games generally still offer more hours of entertainment for the price than TV shows or movies. Streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ have also gone ahead with price hikes and crackdowns on account sharing. Even music streaming is now more expensive. Now more than ever, consumers have to pick and choose the services they care about. And PS Plus Essential, is probably less important if you’re mostly playing single-player games. Sony could easily offer a cheaper plan with just online multiplayer and cloud saves. But they won’t. The increased revenue from the price hike will likely make up for the loss in subscriptions. It worked for Netflix, didn’t it?
This week, we tested an affordable video doorbell from TP-Link, the note-taking app Goodnotes 6, and a Garmin fitness smartwatch.
If you’re considering whether to get with the times and switch to a video doorbell, TP-Link has just the package for you. Its starter kit comes with the doorbell and a hub with a built-in chime and local storage support. So you can use either TP-Link’s cloud storage, or save some money with your own SD card.
With features like spellchecking your handwritten words, or even your math, the Goodnotes 6 app is great for those who prefer writing to typing. It’s not perfect, but good enough for a free app, though you may wish to subscribe for certain features like unlimited audio recordings, and cloud sync.
For those who love the outdoors, the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is the perfect smartwatch. Not only is it built for rough conditions, and equipped with multiple GPS features, this watch uses the power of the sun to extend its battery life. There’s a learning curve, for sure, but it’s really good for what it does.