The return of movies to PlayStation consoles through the Sony Pictures Core app marks a strategic move by Sony Interactive Entertainment to cater to the changing preferences of PlayStation users.
Sony Interactive Entertainment Revives Movie Offerings on PlayStation Consoles
In a bid to adapt to the evolving landscape of streaming services, Sony Interactive Entertainment has reintroduced movies to its PlayStation consoles. After a hiatus of over two years, the gaming giant has launched the Sony Pictures Core app, allowing users to rent or buy a vast collection of movies from Sony Pictures.
The decision to bring back movies to PlayStation consoles comes as a response to the shifting preferences of PlayStation users. With the rise of free and subscription-based streaming platforms, Sony Interactive Entertainment had previously halted its movie and TV show purchase and rental service. However, recognizing the ongoing demand for cinematic content, Sony has now partnered with its studio arm to offer a wide range of movies through the Sony Pictures Core app.
One of the key selling points of the app is its ability to stream HDR movies at up to 80 megabits per second, providing a picture quality comparable to 4K UHD Blu-ray. Additionally, the app boasts a large collection of Imax Enhanced titles, enhancing the immersive viewing experience for users.
At launch, the Sony Pictures Core app offers approximately 2,000 movies from Sony Pictures, including popular titles such as “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Uncharted,” “The Equalizer,” “No Hard Feelings,” “Bullet Train,” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” Furthermore, PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe members gain access to a curated catalog of 100 movies from the Sony Pictures library, available for on-demand streaming at no additional cost. This ad-free catalog will be regularly updated and features notable films like “Looper,” “Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV,” “Elysium,” and “Resident Evil Damnation.”
Sony Interactive Entertainment also plans to offer an exclusive, early-access window for select Sony Pictures films, allowing users to purchase them directly from their consoles in certain markets. The first film to debut with early access is “Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story,” a captivating tale of underdogs challenging the world of elite sports. Users who purchase this film through Sony Pictures Core will receive credit towards in-game purchases in GT7, including cars featured in the movie.
Evan Stern, senior director of global marketing at Sony Interactive Entertainment, expressed that the launch of the Sony Pictures Core app is just the beginning of their plans. They aim to continuously enhance the offerings and benefits of the app over time. As part of this evolution, Sony intends to introduce a selection of hit anime content from Crunchyroll, catering to the diverse interests of PlayStation users.
In conclusion, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s decision to reintroduce movies to PlayStation consoles through the Sony Pictures Core app is a strategic move to meet the changing preferences of PlayStation users. By offering a wide range of movies with high-quality streaming capabilities, Sony aims to provide an immersive and convenient cinematic experience for its gaming community. As they continue to evolve the app’s offerings, users can look forward to an expanding catalog of movies and the inclusion of popular anime content.
