PlayStation‘s New Rewards Program Faces Widespread Criticism from Players
New York, NY – September 25, 2024 – PlayStation’s recently announced “Franchise Rewards” program is facing a significant backlash from its player base, with a recent poll revealing that 67.2% of respondents view the initiative as “terrible.” The program, unveiled earlier this week, aims to reward players for purchasing digital games and content through the PlayStation Store with “Platinum” points redeemable for PlayStation Store gift cards. However, the perceived value of the rewards, coupled with the program’s structure, has sparked widespread discontent within the PS5 community.
The negative reception highlights a growing tension between PlayStation and its customers regarding value and engagement.While similar rewards programs are commonplace in the gaming industry – including Microsoft Rewards and Nintendo Rewards – PlayStation’s implementation has been criticized for offering a low return on investment. Players must spend significant amounts of money to accumulate enough points for meaningful rewards, leading many to view the program as a superficial attempt at customer loyalty. The program currently offers 1 Platinum point for every $100 spent, translating to a 1% cashback rate, and requiring 5,000 Platinum points for a $5 PlayStation Store gift card.
The program’s launch comes at a time when PlayStation is navigating a shifting landscape in the gaming market, including increased competition from Xbox Game Pass and the rise of autonomous game distribution platforms. The failure to generate positive sentiment with Franchise Rewards could further exacerbate concerns about PlayStation’s approach to customer value and service offerings.PlayStation has not yet responded to the overwhelmingly negative feedback, leaving players questioning the future of the program and the company’s commitment to rewarding its loyal fanbase.
