“I don’t need it, I buy my own games”: Salty PS5 Fans Call Game Pass a ‘Welfare Pass’ after Xbox Showcase Decimated State of Play

Xbox emerges as the clear winner in the 2024 Console Wars.

ps5, xbox showcase

SUMMARY

  • Xbox Games Showcase clearly outshines PlayStation's State of Play, leaving PS5 fans scrambling to defend game ownership.
  • Some PS5 fans criticize Game Pass, preferring to buy games outright, but their arguments fall flat.
  • Meanwhile, Xbox fans mock PS5 enthusiasts, celebrating Game Pass's clear value and convenience.
  • The shift towards subscription-based gaming services like Xbox Game Pass is becoming increasingly undeniable.
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The console war between Xbox and PlayStation has been raging on for years, but after yesterday’s Xbox Games Showcase, it’s clear that Xbox has emerged victorious in 2024. Despite the “valiant efforts” of PS5 enthusiasts to defend their beloved console, the sheer number of incredible titles announced for Xbox Game Pass in the latest Showcase has left them scrambling for arguments.

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PS5 Fans Defend Their Console, But Their Arguments Fall Flat

Picture of Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer presenting the latest Xbox Games Showcase 2024.
Phil Spencer presenting Xbox Game Showcase 2024. | Image via Xbox

In the wake of the Xbox Games Showcase, some PS5 fans have resorted to calling Game Pass a ‘welfare pass,’ implying that it’s a handout for those who can’t afford to buy games.

Some, like X (formerly Twitter) user @SKTheKingYT, are still living in denial, proudly proclaiming their preference for buying games outright:

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Others, like @chriscznn, are grasping at straws, pointing out that some of the games shown will also come to PS5… but for $70?

@CharioBro echoes a similar sentiment:

These fans argue that they prefer to own their games outright rather than relying on a subscription service. However, these arguments fail to address the sheer value and convenience that Xbox Game Pass offers.

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With a single monthly subscription, players can access a vast library of games, including day-one releases from Xbox’s first-party studios and recent acquisitions like Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and more!

Xbox Fans Revel in Their Victory, Trolling PS5 Fans

A scene from the Doom: The Dark Ages reveal trailer showcased in Xbox Games Showcase 2024.
An epic Pacific Rim-esque scene from the DOOM: The Dark Ages trailer. | Image via Xbox

On the other side of the fence, Xbox fans are reveling in what they see as a decisive victory.

Some, like @OMSofficial23, mock stubborn PS5 fans who still can’t come to terms with the fact that the idea of “game ownership” is a thing of the past:

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Others, like @LonerSkii, are already looking forward to the next big COD title, Black Ops 6:

Some Xbox fans even twist the knife, giving PlayStation fans a gentle reminder:

And when a PS5 fan tries to downplay the significance of the Xbox Games Showcase, @TommySalamey is quick to set them straight:

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The latest showcase has, no doubt, left many Xbox fans feeling confident about the future of their platform!

The Undeniable Value of Xbox Game Pass

Image featuring the logos of every game that was presented in the Xbox Games Showcase 2024.
Every game announced in the Xbox Showcase. | Image via Xbox

At the end of the day, the arguments put forth by PS5 fans simply cannot compete with the incredible value proposition of Xbox Game Pass. For just $16.99 per month, subscribers can access hundreds of games, including day-one releases, on both Xbox and PC. The $9.99 per month option for console or PC only offers an even more affordable entry point.

With highly-anticipated heavy hitters like Gears of War: E-Day, State of Decay 3, Avowed, Fable, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and, of course, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (to name a few) all joining Game Pass’s extensive lineup on day one, denying the service’s appeal would be completely impractical.

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Add in the fact that Microsoft now owns a sizable portion of the gaming industry thanks to major acquisitions like Bethesda and the more recent Activision Blizzard, and it’s clear that Xbox is in a dominant position!

The Future of Gaming Is Game Pass

The screen that kept appearing after each trailer in the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, 
 displaying 'Play It Day One With Game Pass.'
Microsoft continued to rub salt into Sony’s wounds with each trailer. | Image via Xbox

As much as some PS5 fans may cling to the idea of game ownership, the writing is on the wall. The future of gaming is subscription-based, and Xbox Game Pass is leading the charge. With its unbeatable value, constantly expanding library, and day-one releases, it’s the service to beat.

While PlayStation fans may not like to admit it, Xbox has won the 2024 console battle. The combination of Game Pass, a strong lineup of exclusive titles, and a growing roster of first-party studios has left PlayStation in the dust.

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No matter how salty PS5 fans get, it’s hard to deny the facts: Xbox is now the king of the console war, and Game Pass is its crown jewel!

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Written by Soumyajit Mukherjee

Articles Published: 30

Soumyajit (ign: LockDown) is a die-hard PC gamer with a passion for competitive FPS games, having played Rainbow Six Siege at a competitive level in the past. For nearly two years, he has turned his love for gaming and writing into a profession, delivering the latest gaming news and guides to his readers. And when he is not writing or dominating the lobby in Call of Duty or Valorant, you can find him in theaters watching the latest comic book films or binge-watching anime and thriller flicks!