Cool, so the patches and updates that were removed are just a temporary issue, and they'll be restored in full? Because some of these games... not good without them.
And in attempting to pretend that this type of move is just standard operating procedure, you've only highlighted another issue with Sony's approach here: why isn't Sony using a shared service? Why are they stuck in the dark ages, closing stores for entire consoles to cut costs, when they've never made more money then they are making right now?
What are you talking about? Your GFWL analogy would only make sense if GFWL was the online store for an
entire console. Xbox Live on the Xbox 360 still works. I can still buy games, DLC, and movies, and my games can still be patched and updated as of right now. If you wanted an appropriate Microsoft comparison, you'd actually want to refer to the Xbox Live Service for the original Xbox,
which was closed in 2010. This rendered the online multiplayer components of all OG Xbox Games non-functional - including those played via the Xbox 360. However, because online digital titles weren't really a thing for the OG Xbox, it didn't make much of an impact other shutting down the limited multiplayer communities for the respective titles. However, with Sony's consoles, there are versions of them that are entirely
digitally only. The owners of those consoles are now screwed completely. In comparison, Microsoft closed a service barely anyone was using that shutdown multiplayer for games few if any were still playing. Night and day difference.
What Sony has done with this type of move is force gamers to ask questions that don't have favourable answers. Why would I buy a PS5DE knowing Sony plans to kill my ability to enjoy content on it in the not-distant-enough future? If Sony are planning on doing that, what else are they planning on doing that I wouldn't like? You only have to ask a handful of these before the narrative around Sony begins to change. That's whats happening in this thread, and the discussion at large.