Today, Sony confirmed that Video Pass is a “test service” that will run for a year in Poland, according to Sony Interactive Entertainment global services VP Nick Maguire in an interview with Spider Web (via VGC). Maguire said that they used data to determine where to hold the test and Sony would track how popular the service was before deciding on a full launch.
Right now, the service allows PS4 and PS5 users in Poland to more than 20 Sony Pictures movies and television shows provided they have a PlayStation Plus subscription. More content is slated to be added every three months. When asked for more detail on why Sony is using the Polish market for the test, Maquire responded:
“We know very well that we have a large base of players in Poland who stand out due to their commitment and activity in the network and social media. They also like to use VoD platforms. For us, this is the perfect combination, the perfect market, to introduce a test service as part of the PS Plus program and see what our key users think about it.”
All told, PlayStation Plus Video Pass seems like a pretty good added value for those who has PlayStation Plus subscriptions, and it’s hard to imagine Sony not moving the service to other territories if it is even remotely popular. Like the PlayStation Plus Collection and Play At Home Initiative, this seems like a move designed to compete with Microsoft’s Game Pass, which now reportedly has more than 23 million subscribers, and attract users to Sony’s subscription service.
Last month, Sony announced that it would be discontinuing video rentals and purchases on its online store on August 31, 2021. While that means users won’t be able to buy new video content, they will continue to have access to purchases they have already made.