Owning a gaming console today feels less like a gateway to fun and more like a financial trap. Gamers—myself included—are paying hundreds of dollars for a console, $60–$70 for each game, monthly internet bills, and electricity. Yet, we’re still expected to pay an additional subscription fee just to play online with friends. This includes services like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass, which lock basic multiplayer features behind a paywall.

This model is not only frustrating—it’s unfair.

Big gaming companies claim these subscriptions are necessary to maintain servers, but with millions of paying users, their revenue is more than enough. These extra charges place an especially heavy burden on younger players and families with limited income, cutting them off from the full experience of games they already own.

Online play should not be a luxury—it should be a core part of the game we purchase.

We are calling for a shift: If we’ve paid for the console, the game, and the internet connection, that should be enough. It’s time for companies like Sony and Microsoft to put players first—not profits—and focus on creating a gaming experience driven by community, fairness, and accessibility, not just money.

Sign this petition if you believe gaming should be about the players—not just the profit.