MLB The Show 21 (PS4 and PS5)
Reason: Including MLB The Show 21 a few weeks ago would have been an absurd suggestion. Not only will it be one of the year’s best sellers, but Sony never gives big first-party games away to PlayStation Plus subscribers on day one. Never. However, after backlash over the game coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one, PlayStation has to save face and make it free for PlayStation Plus subscribers and issue refunds to those with subscriptions that have already purchased the game. Of course, this will be a big financial hit, but there are also long-term financial repercussions to big PR plunders. Just ask Microsoft about the disastrous reveal of the Xbox One and how that went for it. This isn’t as significant or noteworthy as that, but PlayStation is in desperate need of a PR win.
Description: “Own the show. Experience faster, deeper, and more intense moment-to-moment match action on the field, with a variety of game modes for all you rookie players and returning seasoned vets.
Skate City (PS4)
Reason: Skate City is releasing right as May’s PlayStation Plus games will go live, making it the ideal offer if Sony wants to give PlayStation Plus subscribers a brand-new game as it releases. Of course, doing this is a bit pricey, but Skate City is a smaller release so it shouldn’t cost Sony an arm and a leg. Further, the subscription service has given away games at launch before, such as Rocket League. Meanwhile, for the developer, it’s an easy decision as they can take the money upfront and hope the game hits big like Rocket League, Fall Guys, and other games offered on day one in the past have.
Description: “Skate the streets of real-world, iconic destinations from around the globe. Master combos of flip tricks, manuals, and grinds to set high scores in challenge mode, or ride at your own pace with Endless Skate. Head over to the skate shop to customize your player & unlock everything else available!”
Resident Evil 7 (PS4 and PlayStation VR)
Reason: We thought Resident Evil 7 would have been offered last month ahead of the release of Resident Evil Village. Of course, Capcom could be of the mind that the release of Village will drive up sales of RE7, which is probably a safe bet, however, getting RE7 in the hands of more players ahead of the release of Village will also drive up sales of the latter. The fact that Village is a direct sequel is all the more reason to give it away. And of course, if there’s plenty of incentives for Capcom to give the game away, it makes the deal easier and cheaper for Sony.
Description: “Set in modern-day rural America and taking place after the dramatic events of Resident Evil 6, players experience the terror directly from the first-person perspective. Resident Evil 7 embodies the series’ signature gameplay elements of exploration and tense atmosphere that first coined “survival horror” some twenty years ago; meanwhile, a complete refresh of gameplay systems simultaneously propels the survival horror experience to the next level.”