While the requirement for console players to pay the console company to play in multi-player game modes exists, it does not affect most of the game's features as they are pan-modal in their implementation (with, from memory, only Wings, Multi-Crew & CQC being specifically unavailable to console players without premium platform access). Which is why PvP-gating Powerplay to Open would be to remove bought and paid for content from those players.
Wait one...
Microsoft Store said:Take control of your own starship in a cutthroat galaxy. Join the endless open world adventure featuring a connected galaxy, evolving narrative and the entirety of the Milky Way re-created at its full galactic proportions. Explore, trade, fight and survive in Elite Dangerous' massively multiplayer galaxy and challenge the world in CQC. Become Elite in the interstellar PVP arenas of the ultimate 34th century gladiatorial contest. 400 Billion Star Systems. Infinite Freedom. Blaze Your Own Trail.
Nowhere in that description do I see anything about features being pan-modal. That description makes it come across as a PvP game.
Playstation Store said:To play this game on PS5, your system may need to be updated to the latest system software. Although this game is playable on PS5, some features available on PS4 may be absent. See PlayStation.com/bc for more details.
Elite Dangerous is the definitive massively multiplayer space epic, bringing gaming’s original open world adventure to the modern generation with a connected galaxy, evolving narrative and the entirety of the Milky Way re-created at its full galactic proportions.
Starting with only a small starship and a few credits, players do whatever it takes to earn the skill, knowledge, wealth and power to survive in a futuristic cutthroat galaxy and to stand among the ranks of the iconic Elite. In an age of galactic superpowers and interstellar war, every player’s story influences the unique connected gaming experience and handcrafted evolving narrative. Governments fall, battles are lost and won, and humanity’s frontier is reshaped, all by players’ actions.
400 Billion Star Systems. Infinite Freedom. Blaze Your Own Trail.
Remote Play requires PS Vita system and sufficiently robust Wi-Fi connection.
Online features require an account and are subject to terms of service and applicable privacy policy (playstationnetwork.com/terms-of-service & playstationnetwork.com/privacy-policy).
1 player
Network Players 2-99 - Full game requires PlayStation®Plus membership to access online multiplayer
15GB minimum save size
DUALSHOCK®4
Remote Play
Online Play (Required)
I'll be...look at that. Requires online play.
So tell me again what content console players are paying for? Seems to be online play and PvP if either of these store descriptions are to be believed.