PlayStation is planning a new service to compete with Xbox Game Pass.

According to sources familiar with Sony's intentions and papers obtained by Bloomberg, the PlayStation division of Sony Corporation is working on a new subscription service to compete with Microsoft Corporation's successful Xbox Game Pass.

It's called Spartacus, and it's designed to let PlayStation customers subscribe to a library of both new and old games, according to the sources, who requested anonymity because they were not allowed to discuss the plans. While the PlayStation 4 has sold more than 116 million units, Sony's next console, the PlayStation 5, introduced more than a year ago but is still hard to come by owing to supply chain concerns, will almost certainly have the offering.

PlayStation Now and PlayStation Plus will be combined into a single subscription service when it comes in the spring, according to Sony. It is currently necessary for most online multiplayer games and offers free monthly titles for PlayStation Plus members, while PlayStation Now allows players to view or download older titles. Bloomberg reports that Sony aims to keep the PlayStation Plus name, but to phase off PlayStation Now in the future.Spartacus may still be under development, but Bloomberg has seen documents indicating a three-tiered service. In the first instance, PlayStation Plus features would be included. PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games would be available under the second option. Extended demos, game streaming, and a library of vintage PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP titles would be included in the third tier. Requests for comment to PlayStation were not immediately returned.

Spartacus may still be under development, but Bloomberg has seen documents indicating a three-tiered service. In the first instance, PlayStation Plus features would be included. PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games would be available under the second option. Extended demos, game streaming, and a library of vintage PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP titles would be included in the third tier. Requests for comment to PlayStation were not immediately returned.

While the PlayStation has recently outsold the Xbox, Sony has fallen behind Microsoft in terms of subscriptions. Sony will use this new structure to compete with a popular and valuable Xbox feature.

Microsoft's Game Pass, which is sometimes referred to as the Netflix of video games, now has over 18 million customers. It charges players between $10 and $15 each month for unrestricted access to hundreds of games. Xbox's general strategy has been designed around the service in recent years, with all of its internally produced titles available on Game Pass immediately upon release. Xbox has also made significant purchases, including Bethesda Softworks for $7.5 billion last year, with the intention of expanding the Game Pass catalog.

Sony is also investing resources in extending its cloud gaming initiatives, according to individuals familiar with the program. Earlier this year, Microsoft's xCloud game streaming service became widely accessible.