What is your opinion on gaming subscription services?

[Shiken]

SvennoJ said:

Shiken said:

@Bold

How the hell does using a service like gamepass make you "not a true gamer" like this implies?  This is not a matter of value or if the person would get the full value because they only play a few games a year, I just want to know exactly what the implication is here.  Because I play 90% of my games to main content completion be it from gamepass or retail, and this makes no sense to me.

Also for Trophy/Achievement hunters, one could argue that gamepass is a godsend for them.  I know a few people that has had their Achievement Score skyrocket because of gamepass, just because there is that many more games to get Achievements from.  So this is counter to your example.

Again, I agree that it should be a 50/50 split.  Services are not for everyone, and not everyone is going to see the full value if they do not play games as much as others.  I just don't see why you would use those two examples as factors that would deter someone from gamepass in any way, shape, or form.

I guess true gamer is a trigger term nowadays. In the ancient times, true supporters are those that support their passion by collecting stuff and visiting matches/performances/concerts. Using a service like gamepass is like watching soccer/concerts/movies on tv. That doesn't make you a true supporter.

What are the consequences of subscription services for collectors (leaving true gamer term out of it). Prices will go up (already to $70) for actually owning a game while collecting complete games becomes more difficult due to the shift to gaas. The shift to digital already eroded the extras, as well as achievements/trophies replacing meaningful things to unlock. Like artwork and making of videos.

The nickel and diming in the games industry is only further accelerated by streaming services. Digital downloads need to be small and the same as physical editions, prices needed to be low, just the bare bones game.

The arguments pro subscription services seem to be these

- Access to more content to try out
I have no issue with that but it's a small minority that will actually convert that try out into a purchase.

- MTX and DLC sales compensate for the loss of initial salve revenue
I have a big issue with that as MTX and DLC are already a big negative on current games.

- Steady income for developers, can take more risk
Erm no, steady income does not stimulate innovation

- Smaller games have more chance to get noticed
Some, maybe, those that conform to / are let on the service. The rest get an even smaller chance?

That does not reflect what is actually happening though.  People who prefer to buy games still buy them, gamepass just allows them to play more games to bridge the gap between releases and try stuff that they could be interested in without the need to drop even more money on an expensive hobby.  I did not pass on Nier Replicant under the, to be honest likely, chance that the game could go to gamepass.  Nor did I pass on pre ordering RE8 just because RE7 is on there, giving hope that one day the same could happen for 8.  Furthermore people were suprised at how well Outriders sold on XBox, despite being a day 1 gamepass game.

For the most part, those that use gamepass for the sole purpose of being their only way to play games are the same people that would wait for a big discount before buying a game anyway.  The difference here is that instead of only getting a small portion of what could have been a full price purchase, the developers have already been compensated to satisfaction by MS to get the game on the service in the first place.  Used in tandem with what does get sold through at full price, profits can be higher than if they left it off the service.  For all the controversy the Days Gone director caused by saying, "buy the game at fing full price", clearly people who wait for discounts are not good for devs when their profits are hinged on full price purchases.  With an upfront payment from MS for gamepass, yes there is less risk.

And this also applies to more games coming to XBox as well.  For example Japanese devs a few years back for more niche games figured an XBox port was not worth the risk because it might not sell on the platform.  But by putting their games on gamepass, the risk is bypassed as they get an upfront payment from MS, more people are willing to try the game, and the game is now available for those who do want to buy it to do so.  Saying that lowering risk is not a factor is just plain wrong in cases like this.

As for DLC and MTX, that is why raising games to 70 dollars is an even bigger problem than saving with gamepass.  DLC and MTX plaguing full retail games has been an ongoing problem for year.  They will never stop, and publishers will only push them harder with or without services.  They said it was because prices for games do not go up with inflation.  Now lets say that is true, the problem is that even WITH game prices being increased MTX and DLC will still be pushed just as hard regardless of services.  The only thing the price hike does is take more money out of the pockets of consumers.  And if the solution is wait till the price drops, that is no better than just playing it on gamepass if you are so concerned about devs making money without DLC.

Last edited by Shiken - on 30 April 2021