Sony Orders U.K. Retails To Remove PlayStation Now Prepaid Cards To Focus On PlayStation Gift Cards

In the age of service-based entertainment, all platform holders offer its own take on the business model. Microsoft continues to dish out Xbox Game Pass whilst Nintendo Switch Online delivers now four legacy libraries for one price. Over at Sony Interactive Entertainment, the PlayStation firm has PlayStation Now: a streaming service which delivers a broad selection of titles ranging from PlayStation 2 onward to PlayStation 4. But, the firm is looking to revitalize the pursuit.

According to Bloomberg recently, it is reported the firm is developing a new initiative to combat Xbox Game Pass. Dubbed ‘Project Spartacus’, the service will expand to new tiers offering the library of PlayStation Now whilst including the PlayStation Plus perks as well. The highest subscription options is said to feature an extended library of legacy titles alike Nintendo’s current service model.

From  VentureBeat, the outlet reports that Sony is demanding retails in the United Kingdom to withdraw PlayStation Now cards from its shelves. “Stores have until the close of day Wednesday 19, January to remove all POS and ESD cards from all customer-facing areas and update their digital bays in line with this week’s upcoming commercial update …” a statement from retailer GAME leadership reads.

Additionally, GamesBeat’s Jeff Grubb tells that plans similar in the United Kingdom is also taking place over in North America as retailers in both the United States & Canada already made the move weeks prior. However, Sony Interactive Entertainment in a later statement explained to VentureBeat that the decision is to focus on solely on the PlayStation gift cards.

“Globally, we are moving from PlayStation Now gift cards to focus on our current cash denomination PlayStation gift cards, which can be redeemed for PlayStation Now.” For now, this will only affect PlayStation Now prepaid cards. It is undetermined if the same move will be applied to PlayStation Plus cards as well later on since the service can be redeemed with the same PlayStation gift cards.

What are your thoughts on the decision from Sony Interactive Entertainment?

Source: VentureBeat