PlayStation just revealed a new addition to its trophy system. For select games, players will have the opportunity to buy merchandise and other items if they complete the set task by a specific date. They’re currently testing it out with Ghost of Tsushima to tie into the upcoming Ghost of Yotei, which is coming out next week.
Sony has offered incentives for trophies before, but this move is causing a stir, and it’s not hard to see why. PlayStation Franchise Rewards is a step in the wrong direction, and it’s not surprising that many gamers are unhappy at the idea of earning the chance to buy something. That said, it’s not too late for Sony to fix PlayStation Franchise Rewards and deliver something fans can be happy about.
PlayStation Franchise Rewards Have Gamers Riled Up
The PlayStation Franchise Rewards system is directly tied to trophies, with Sony confirming that other first-party franchises will eventually join the program. It’s starting with Ghost of Tsushima, as Sucker Punch Productions introduces Ghost Rewards. Players who earn two specific trophies by December 31, 2025, will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive Ghost of Tsushima merchandise.
The first trophy, Mono No Aware, is earned by completing the main story. Its description reads, “Leave the past behind and accept the burden of your new mantle.” Unlocking it gives players the chance to buy a Ghost of Tsushima t-shirt for $30. The second trophy, Living Legend, is awarded for earning the platinum trophy. Those who achieve it can purchase an exclusive pin for $25.
It’s a noble effort to get players invested in first-party titles, especially when PlayStation exclusives include some of the best games of all time, but this method of pulling players back in isn’t it. Requiring players to use real money to purchase rewards doesn’t feel like a win. Unless the t-shirt is made from the world’s most comfortable material, getting the chance to purchase merch isn’t much of a reward. Having to spend more money on top of the game itself is enough to take the wind out of any gamer’s sails.
This doesn’t come across as a serious attempt to reward fans, and the real goal seems to be getting PlayStation players to give Sony more money. That doesn’t even include potential shipping costs or tax. On top of that, Sucker Punch Productions has noted that the estimated shipping window is two to three months, so players might not even receive their reward until spring. The concept sounds good in theory, but asking players to spend at least $55 doesn’t seem worth it at all.
What makes the whole thing even funnier is that PlayStation Trophies are already one of the most desired rewards in the gaming community. Entire channels and blogs are dedicated to chasing platinum trophies in PlayStation games. It’s something Xbox, Steam, and others have tried to replicate but haven’t really matched in terms of community attention. If PlayStation really wants to maximize its rewards program, it should look to its own past.
PlayStation Can Still Fix Its Franchise Rewards
Instead of sticking with Franchise Rewards, PlayStation should look back at its previous program, PlayStation Stars. Now, PlayStation Stars was far from perfect, especially with how it seemed to push NFTs without explicitly saying so, but it had a stronger foundation overall. Gamers could earn points and digital collectibles by completing campaigns and buying from the PlayStation Store. Now, forget the collectibles and the need to spend money to earn points. If the Franchise Rewards gave players points for trophies, then that would be perfection.
It’s hard to say how many points each trophy should be worth. A platinum trophy in Ghost of Tsushima takes around 30 hours, which is relatively short compared to something like Monster Hunter: World, which takes closer to 300 hours. Sony would have to figure out how much time and effort each trophy demands and reward players accordingly. The main thing, though, is that earning points would actually feel like a reward.
Players could earn points to purchase either a selection of games set at different point values or redeem them for a PlayStation Store gift card. This would not only keep players in the PlayStation ecosystem but would also make them feel like they truly belong there. Hopefully, the new PlayStation Franchise Rewards program will be a temporary thing, as the current level of excitement probably isn’t where Sony wants it to be. If PlayStation truly wants to reward players for their time, it should consider an alternative approach.
