Sony’s Shift to Games as a Service: A New Era for PlayStation?
Over the past few years, nearly every major publisher has begun pursuing its own “games as a service” (GAAS) model – and Sony is no exception. Despite past failures and cancellations, the company continues to invest in this approach, with future projects like Marathon and the recently announced Horizon Hunters Gathering.
Recent financial reports from Sony underscore this strategic shift. Microtransactions on the PlayStation Network (PSN) now generate more revenue than the combined sales of physical and digital games.
The Rise of Microtransactions: A Revenue Game Changer
In the quarter ending December 2025, Sony reported ¥835.477 billion (approximately US$5.3 billion) in game software revenue. A significant portion – ¥418.093 billion – came from microtransactions, exceeding 50% of total revenue. This means that in-game purchases are now more profitable than traditional game sales.
Source: Sony
Why the Focus on GAAS?
With increasingly large development budgets and the potential for a single failure to be devastating for a studio, a successful GAAS represents a consistent revenue stream and risk mitigation for the company. However, establishing a lasting multiplayer experience is becoming increasingly challenging in today’s market.
Cosmetics, battle passes, and other add-on content have proven to be exceptionally lucrative – surpassing traditional game sales. This trend is driving Sony’s investment in GAAS titles.
The Horizon Universe Expands: Hunters Gathering and Beyond
The announcement of Horizon Hunters Gathering signals Sony’s commitment to leveraging its established intellectual property in the GAAS space. The Horizon series, known for its compelling narrative and unique setting, has already sold over 40 million units worldwide. The series includes Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West, the VR title Horizon Call of the Mountain, and the Lego-themed Lego Horizon Adventures.
This move aligns with a broader industry trend. Developers are increasingly exploring ways to extend the lifespan of their games and generate ongoing revenue through live service models.
What Does This Indicate for Gamers?
The shift towards GAAS could mean more frequent content updates, expanded game worlds, and opportunities for ongoing engagement with favorite franchises. However, it also raises concerns about potential monetization practices and the risk of games becoming overly reliant on microtransactions.
FAQ
Q: What is a “games as a service” model?
A: A GAAS model focuses on providing ongoing content and updates to a game after its initial release, generating revenue through microtransactions, subscriptions, or other recurring purchases.
Q: What is Sony’s Horizon Hunters Gathering?
A: Horizon Hunters Gathering is a newly announced game set in the Horizon universe, utilizing a GAAS model.
Q: How much revenue did Sony make from microtransactions?
A: Sony generated ¥418.093 billion (approximately US$5.3 billion) from microtransactions in the quarter ending December 2025.
Q: What other Horizon games are available?
A: The Horizon series includes Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West, Horizon Call of the Mountain, and Lego Horizon Adventures.
Did you grasp? The Horizon franchise has sold over 40 million units worldwide as of November 2025.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on official PlayStation announcements for more details on Horizon Hunters Gathering and other upcoming GAAS titles.
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