The PSN Outage Highlights A Larger Problem For Modern Gamers

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Over the weekend, I, along with many other PlayStation owners, encountered a nearly 24-hour-long disruption in the PlayStation Network service. As of now, Sony hasn’t given a comprehensive explanation about the cause, only stating that it was related to an “operational issue.” This outage happened during the initial weekend of Monster Hunter World’s second playtest, and while users are anticipated to have another day from developer Capcom to compensate for the lost time, it left many of us surprised. To our dismay, even single-player games that we believed didn’t necessitate an online connection were found to be unplayable.

PSN outage illuminates larger problem with the current state of digital video games

PS Plus is a service where gamers can enjoy PlayStation games online and also access a collection of digital games, discounts, and other benefits through subscription. In times like these when there’s an outage, it makes sense that players would be unable to utilize their usual online features provided by PS Plus. However, many PlayStation users have reported losing access to their digital library, even if they don’t subscribe to PS Plus. On the forum ResetEra, some gamers from Eurogamer stated that “everything was down,” and further commented that people sharing games (like myself) were locked out of their entire digital library, including offline games. The interesting part is that you didn’t require a PS Plus subscription to experience this issue.

In recent times, there’s been a gradual shift from traditional gaming using physical media towards digital gaming. Both Xbox and PlayStation consoles now offer two options: one with a disc drive, the other without. Services like PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass have accelerated this trend by providing vast digital libraries of games. This might not be surprising to Steam users, but even Steam has started making it clear that when you buy a game, you’re actually purchasing a license to play, not the game itself.

Concerningly, Sony has yet to disclose any specifics about the nearly 24-hour service interruption we’ve experienced recently. The cause and duration remain unknown, which is troubling in many aspects. Some gamers might recall the extended PSN downtime back in 2011 that lasted almost a month. Although outages have become less common since then, it’s disquieting not to know how long the next one might last. Moreover, there’s apprehension about whether sensitive data such as passwords and credit card details could have been compromised during this lapse in service.

In a show of goodwill following the resolution of the issue, Sony chose to generously extend PS Plus memberships by an additional five days for its players. While this extra time may not seem significant to those intending to maintain their subscriptions, it overlooks the users who were impacted without holding a PS Plus subscription in the first place. This incident could serve as a wake-up call for many, and the decisions they make going forward might carry great importance.

Relying on the goodwill of huge corporations is not a fair deal for gamers

As a gamer, it’s disappointing to find out that some game companies decide to discontinue online services for their games when it benefits them financially. For instance, Ubisoft ceased support for The Crew last year, rendering it unplayable for anyone who had previously bought it, including those with physical copies. This is why I brought up The Crew – because Ross Scott, the guy behind Stop Killing Games, filed complaints with France’s consumer protection agency about Ubisoft (since they are based in France) over the removal of The Crew.

In today’s gaming world, players are increasingly expected to adapt to the idea of not personally owning their games. However, when these gaming services depend on an internet connection, they are vulnerable to potential issues that companies like Sony might not always be able to guarantee. For instance, imagine if Steam went offline for a week, or if Sony decides to shut down the PlayStation Network tomorrow. Trusting these massive corporations to allow us to keep renting and playing their games is risky, as users are essentially entering into an agreement that isn’t entirely secure.

Users are advised to prioritize buying physical games when they can, but be aware that this isn’t always a guaranteed option. As an alternative, consider using digital storefronts like GOG.com, which offer actual game purchases instead of just licenses. Additionally, support initiatives such as Stop Killing Games by signing their EU petition on their website, and make thoughtful decisions about where you direct your spending.

Following criticism over the closure of The Crew, Ubisoft has disclosed plans for future games to include offline play options. Moreover, Ubisoft has faced a lawsuit in California, potentially prompting Steam to be more open about gaming licenses. These decisions have broader implications within the video game industry. Meanwhile, enthusiasts of The Crew are actively recreating the game anew.

This is a wake-up call for all gamers

For numerous PlayStation owners this past weekend, it may have served as an unexpected reminder. Many gamers were eagerly anticipating playing the games in their collection, and for Monster Hunter Wilds enthusiasts, this was a significant weekend. It marked the second open beta playtest, and there was a noticeable improvement compared to the first one in October. This time around, players no longer required a PS Plus subscription to access the beta, which meant non-subscribers could sample one of 2025’s most eagerly awaited titles. However, unfortunately for them, this opportunity was abruptly withdrawn.

If you’re a PlayStation user watching your friends play the Monster Hunter Wilds beta on Steam and Xbox while you can’t, it might leave a bitter taste. Moreover, losing access to an entire digital library could make some players question whether they made the right choice in terms of console or ecosystem. This weekend seems to have more PlayStation owners contemplating Steam and Xbox than before. However, even if these platforms appear more attractive now, they still come with many of the same limitations.

In the upcoming days, I’ll be eagerly waiting to hear if Sony sheds light on what led to the recent downtime. If they choose to disclose any details at all. Here’s hoping that our online services and digital collections stay accessible for a while, but this incident serves as a reminder that such access isn’t guaranteed. We should all take this as a sign to be prepared and act accordingly.

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2025-02-11 02:32