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[Moogle11]

I think the biggest counterpoint to this is the digital game market on PC. Most PC gamers in the western world buy digital, so much that physical games are almost impossible to buy. This has not led to games costing more though, in fact PC gaming probably has the lowest costs and highest availability for games of all platforms.

The other counterpoint to this is digital music and digital TV/movies. Sure, tons of shows/movies are on subscription services, but even with that a majority of them can be rented/purchased on Apple Store/Google Play/Amazon/Microsoft Store/Sony Playstation Store/Vudu or any plethora of other services. Some people still love to own their media, even if it is in digital form.

The entire idea that subscription services lead to the downfall of entire industries has proven false again and again, and I don't see it being any different in gaming than other forms of content. In fact, I would argue that we are in a better place in gaming because digital delivery and digital storefronts allow game makers of all sizes to access the market, whereas previously large game studios dictated releases due to the cost of physical release and distribution.

Agreed. Even with music and movies you can still buy cds (and even records for many) of pretty much any album, DVDs/BRs/UHDs for most movies and shows.

Physical media isn't going to die off, it's just back to being more a niche market. Much like movies in the VHS era when most just rented, but some bought VHS or Laserdiscs and had collections. The publishers aren't going to turn down that easy money form collectors. They just simply produce fewer physical copies as demand is lower than it was at the peak DVD/CD buying era.

And definitely agree on gaming. There's never been a better time to be a gamer IMO, between PC, Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo all doing well and co-existing and digital gaming giving rise to the huge indie scene to cover niche things the AAA publishers don't bother with.

 

[x@3f*oo_e!]

Access is built around novelty of the moment.

I think this is part of an argument for a "game pass lite" service, probably cloud based that offers 1hr/1day (whatever) demos of games (at a subscription price) with the option to upgrade to the full game, or even pay to keep playing.

One thing I hate is buying a game (full or near full price) and discovering I just don't like it.

 

[Moogle11]

From my view, there is nothing Objectively wrong with GamePass (or PS Now, Stadia, etc). However the value proposition is very subjective. Some people are more than happy to pay a set fee to have access to a rotating set of content. Some people want the content they want, WHEN they want it and this model does not work for them.

And others want both.

I'll keep buying Sony and Nintendo first party games day one (or later on if I don't have time at launch), big story driven AAA third party games like FF7R, Cyberpunk, RDR2 etc. as I love those games and want publishers to keep making them and because they aren't things that hit a free service (other than maybe some on PS+ ages later) and I want to play them at or near launch.

But I also love Gamepass, Epic freebies etc. for all the reasons I listed in my post above. It's a super frugal way to play games I'm less stoked about to fill the void between those big games I'm willing to buy. Movies I'm mostly fine with the streaming services (and we have HBO and cable), but we still (when not in a pandemic) go to the cinema a few times a year and pay to rent things on iTunes, Amazon, Redbox etc. when we don't want to wait. We largely quit buying movies as we very rarely rewatch things and even stuff I do rewatch every so often like Star Wars is on streaming services we have these days.

 

[Hawking Radiation]

From my view, there is nothing Objectively wrong with GamePass (or PS Now, Stadia, etc). However the value proposition is very subjective. Some people are more than happy to pay a set fee to have access to a rotating set of content. Some people want the content they want, WHEN they want it and this model does not work for them. Its just like it was back in the day HBO vs buying movies.

There are smaller elements that differentiate the two paradigms (ownership vs access) as they work by different motivators. Ownership targets big/memorable events that you wait for and then remember longingly. This allows long lead times but raises the expectation. Access is built around novelty of the moment. Lowers the expectation but demands constant fresh content. Both are powerful and can be successful.... but they make two different end products. Ownership rewards big gambles/investment, access does not (to the same degree). Does this stop big content from coming to an access service? No. It makes it economically harder as you have to do it often and when you do you are cannibalizing your own eco system.

Very well said.

 

[Warnen]

Love it myself, seems like the natural progression, physical to digtial to subscription. All you can eat at one price is awesome. It’s an excellent value proposition for the Xbox brand.

 

[Redlancet]

its just common sense time will tell

 

[Hezekiah]

Imagine having to pay 70 dollars for each Netflix film you wanna see and be happy about it.

Imagine thinking that people pay an average of $70 for the games that they buy, or that they have time to burn through games at the same rate they consume films and TV shows.

 

[Tmack]

Gamespass can work out for people with way too much free time or to people who buy games for others where price wins over quality (ie parents).

You cant be serious comparing games with netflix where you can watch a whole movie under 90 minutes... Even below average movies can be enjoyable considering the time invested.... Average games sucks. Noone want to invest 10+ hours in the learning curve alone to grasp a shit game.

 

[Tiamat2san]

I love gamepass.
If it’s not for some people, ok.
Don’t subscribe to it and that’s it.

 

[M1chl]

Gamepass isn’t for me. I play game slowly and sometimes they remove game, from it. I would be pissed off if a game I’m playing is removed.

It's most likely a year to play game, so... Rockstar games are different obviously.

 

[Radical_3d]

Subscription services are the future. But that future is dark and full of mediocrity. Maybe more in the game industry, which requieres a large investment to make a proper big good game. And even so Netflix and other subscriptions are filled with nothing but mediocrity. Not bad shows, but not great shows or movies. How Sea of Thieves was launched, the main series of Forza and the lack of any diversity in the titles offered by MGS until they bough Zenimax is a testament for what’s to come.

 

[captainraincoat]

With the amount of studios ms has now means that all of their first party stuff will be free and day one for gamepass subscribers
regardless of if you consider the old xbox one output as a measuring stick on quality you would be silly walking away from having access to the games coming and the cherry on top is you get some pretty awesome 3rd party stuff and ea access thrown in

i suspect the people mad about it are the ones that dont have it

 

[Valued Gamer]

PlayStation fanboys only have a problem with it as they are jealous that Sony doesn't offer them a similar thing but rather than admitting the truth they try to make themselves feel better by saying its a bad thing.

 

[dottme]

It's most likely a year to play game, so... Rockstar games are different obviously.

That’s true if you start day one.
But just the idea that the game might be removed is enough to keep me away. I would understand that sometimes there’s license issue. But my understanding is that most of the game which go in gamepass will eventually be removed.

 

[M1chl]

That’s true if you start day one.
But just the idea that the game might be removed is enough to keep me away. I would understand that sometimes there’s license issue. But my understanding is that most of the game which go in gamepass will eventually be removed.

True, did not take that into account, nevermind : )

 

[bxrz]

That’s true if you start day one.
But just the idea that the game might be removed is enough to keep me away. I would understand that sometimes there’s license issue. But my understanding is that most of the game which go in gamepass will eventually be removed.

That is not an accurate understanding. The only game that I've seen that got removed in less than a year is RDR2. Literally thats it.

If you can't finish a game in a year than thats on you lol

 

[12Dannu123]

It's a pretty obvious answer. When you don't have an equivalent service on your favourite console, you get jealous, that's the main source of it.

Also because people know that MS has an advantage in this business model and Sony doesn't. For a subscription service to succeed you need.

1. The willingness to burn money to gain market share and grow the service in the short and medium-term.
2. IP. Getting well-known IP will draw people to the ecosystem and new IPs and indies can be used to sustain engagement
3. Add content day 1 or recently released content onto the service, people won't subscribe to games that are 1-3 years old
4. Tech, known your infrastructure brings big advantages to reach users at scale. It's why publishers are joining the Cloud Giants and not going it alone.

If you don't have all of these, a subscription service will struggle to become mainstream and gain market share.

 

[Excess]

I have (had) it for PC, and I think it adds a lot of value, for sure. But I just recently canceled due to the backtracking on adding EA Play. Otherwise, if Xbox starts pumping out AAA content in the next few years, the service is going to be very hard to ignore.

In fact, it's my belief that neither Sony nor Microsoft will be so much interested in the hardware anymore. The real war will be a streaming content war of game studios, much like Netflix, et al. are doing right now. And I know people continue to make fun of Stadia, but do not laugh; it has the capital, the infrastructure, and the technical expertise to be a viable player in the next decade. Stadia isn't going away.

 

[Hezekiah]

PlayStation fanboys only have a problem with it as they are jealous that Sony doesn't offer them a similar thing but rather than admitting the truth they try to make themselves feel better by saying its a bad thing.

Realistically I think most realise that there are more and better exclusives on Playstation and appreciate that over anything else. Microsoft offers GamePass as a value proposition because its content doesn't match-up. I haven't felt inclined to jump in on PC as not enough of the library appeals to me.

 

[ironmang]

I don't have a problem with it existing, just don't think it's something for me. The PC version apparently has problems when you try to uninstall games so not messing with that. I can't justify spending $500 for an XSX plus a monthly subscription fee. I'm already content with working on my backlog and buying the occasional new game which is often a Sony exclusive that GP won't have anyways.

 

[DavidGzz]

1. Fanboys hate MS so they downplay it.
2. MS fans gush about it so it makes it even worse for these sensitive Lil guys.

 

[ACESHIGH]

Because Sony fanboys love getting shafted. Gamepass is awesome and it totally changed my game purchasing habits. Also despite I can easily pirate games on PC, having gamepass makes it easier to try games outside of my comfort zone just because they are there. Tetris Effect, Tales of Vesperia, Fallout 76, Crusader Kings 3? Sure why not.

Also the Xbox app on PC, while not ideal, has gone a long way and keeps getting better.

They even say PS Now is an alternative to gamepass ffs. Ps Now is like in 10 countries tops and works like crap.

 

[Raekwon26]

I've never seen the allure of this thing and I still don't.

Had it for a weekend and thought "what the hell is the big deal here?"

 

[Stuart360]

Because its Microsoft doing it. I'd love if that was wrong but it isnt. Once Sony bring their version out (which they will imo), it will be a fantastic idea and product.

 

[waxer]

Gaming is a small hobbie for me. I don't personally think it's worth it.
I don't spend more than a few hours a week gaming nowadays in avg.
I'd rather just buy a few of the games I actually want at bargain prices.
There can be times I won't play for a month or longer. Between work family fishing hiking etc

 

[MDSLKTR]

I've never seen the allure of this thing and I still don't.

Had it for a weekend and thought "what the hell is the big deal here?"

WIth a subscription stacked up for 2 years, I bought a brand new console and didn't spend money on games nor do I see myself spending any in the future.
It just feels good man.

 

[Valued Gamer]

Realistically I think most realise that there are more and better exclusives on Playstation and appreciate that over anything else. Microsoft offers GamePass as a value proposition because its content doesn't match-up. I haven't felt inclined to jump in on PC as not enough of the library appeals to me.

That's changing with both Zenimax and the other new MS studios finally getting their games out to the market, and to Gamepass.
Day one for Doom, Wolfenstein, Hellblade, Halo, Gears, Fallout, TES, Star field, Forza, etc etc is going to shake Sony up.
Reality is that with Zenimax on board MS first party leaves Sony behind.

 

[Griffon]

I don't like paying rent.

 

[Vasto]

That's changing with both Zenimax and the other new MS studios finally getting their games out to the market, and to Gamepass.
Day one for Doom, Wolfenstein, Hellblade, Halo, Gears, Fallout, TES, Star field, Forza, etc etc is going to shake Sony up.
Reality is that with Zenimax on board MS first party leaves Sony behind.

Its just more downplay / denial. We have already gotten great AAA high quality games like Halo 5 Guardians, Flight Simulator, Gears 5 and Forza Horizon 4 day 1 into Game Pass with alot more announced.

 

[mikefrails]

Because it’s Xbox.

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Some people are just egregiously against digital gaming.

 

[Raekwon26]

WIth a subscription stacked up for 2 years, I bought a brand new console and didn't spend money on games nor do I see myself spending any in the future.
It just feels good man.

But what games?

What major 3rd party game gets released on there the same time it comes out for purchase?

Xbox 1st party has been lacklustre so I honestly don't see the allure of it.

 

[Griffon]

Then buy the products

I don't know if anyone noticed, but MS games that are on gamepass have a much higher retail price on pc. Flight sim is a solid 60€ no matter where you look, and sea of thieves has only now been under the 30€ bar years after it's release. Hell, forza horizon 4 is positively ancient and hasn't been under 30€ ever.

Things are not happening in a vacuum, they are pushing us toward rent models by any mean they have.
Owning games will cost much more and be treated more and more as a luxury.

We won't have much choice, and we'll end up paying more in subscriptions than we currently do by just buying the few games we want at current prices.

 

[Eternal21]

I don't mind it, but it's not something I'd ever use.

That's changing with both Zenimax and the other new MS studios finally getting their games out to the market, and to Gamepass.
Day one for Doom, Wolfenstein, Hellblade, Halo, Gears, Fallout, TES, Star field, Forza, etc etc is going to shake Sony up.
Reality is that with Zenimax on board MS first party leaves Sony behind.

Decent titles, but nowhere near the quality Sony's 1st party studios like Naughty Dog put out. Microsoft badly needs GOTY material, and I don't see it coming.

 

[MDSLKTR]

But what games?

What major 3rd party game gets released on there the same time it comes out for purchase?

Xbox 1st party has been lacklustre so I honestly don't see the allure of it.

Well honestly you're just being disingenuous there. Take the time to look up steam charts, millions of people bought with hard cash Halo, Sea of Thieves and MFS last year. All those games are on GP including other quality games with tons of updated content like Forza, Gears and Minecraft. As for third party I just finished Doom Eternal which was one of the highest rated games last year, my go to multiplayer game is BFV that has a revigorated playerbase now and next is the Medium which is the most anticipated game this month.

"But what games "

 

[danielJackson]

Over priced
Rental
Games wont stay forever
Quantity vs quality
Supports trash games to be made
Lower aaa quality


Ps+ offers +400 games that stay there for multiple platforms. If you had it for years.

And I dont play most of those either, so why pay for rental when buying 1-2 games month costs the same (used/sales). Time limits it anyway

 

[danielJackson]

Well honestly you're just being disingenuous there. Take the time to look up steam charts, millions of people bought with hard cash Halo, Sea of Thieves and MFS last year. All those games are on GP including other quality games with tons of updated content like Forza, Gears and Minecraft. As for third party I just finished Doom Eternal which was one of the highest rated games last year, my go to multiplayer game is BFV that has a revigorated playerbase now and next is the Medium which is the most anticipated game this month.

"But what games "

None of those games are good (to me). So should I still like it when there are no games(I like)?

Why do you talk about them like they would be universally liked? Different tastes

 

[renzolama]

I'm starting to miss the days of console war bans

 

[Bridges]

Game Pass is the second best thing MS started last gen (only after their BC efforts). It's really great to have 100+ games for a year for the price of 2. It's not for everybody, but it sure works out for a lot of us.

That said, I do somewhat sympathize with the fears some have about the subscription-based future we're headed towards. I think in a lot of ways Spotify has done a great deal of harm to music as a medium, and the huge amount of video streaming services have continually increased the amount of subscriptions required to get access to all the "best" new shows. But physical media never disappeared for those mediums either, and before Gamepass was a twinkle in Spencer's eye it was pretty clear that Gamestop was going the way of Blockbuster, so I'm not sure it's fair when people point the finger at GP as some indicator of the end times. They were coming regardless, we should at least be thankful the service itself is pretty good.

The vast majority of the critiques though, seem to be based in console warring more than anything else

 

[DarkMage619]

It's so funny to see Sony guys keep saying rental over and over again. It's like they refuse to believe you can purchase any game on the service for a discount. Something you can't do with Netflix a REAL rental service. Oh well it's not like it's on PlayStation so they'd have no idea anyway.

 

[Derktron]

People only have an issue with xbox gamepass because its not called playstation gamepass.

That sums it up, okay mods close this thread

 

[mxbison]

Right now my only issues are the terrible Windows Store and XboxApp.

The offer is good, I'm just worried you'll need GamePass, AmazonPass, GooglePass, EpicPass, and PlaystationPass in a few years to play all the games.

 

[laynelane]

That sums it up, okay mods close this thread

So, that was your intent in creating this thread.

 

[killatopak]

One issue I have with gamepass is physical disc users like me don’t really benefit.

Other than that it’s the feeling that gamepass will make future games cater to the subscription model. Basically making games more episodic instead of having just one big release.

By itself gamepass is a great concept. I just don’t like the baggage it carries with it.

 

[New Yorks Finest]

1. Fanboys hate MS so they downplay it.
2. MS fans gush about it so it makes it even worse for these sensitive Lil guys.

Exactly..one hunnit

I don't understand how mind of these goofy delusional loyalists work, like..@#$% is your bum ass doin in a MS thread anyway ?? Or any other "Positive Spotlight" MS thread. Why y'all sweating and worry about a platform, somethin you hate from birth?!..these cats is weird and way different man.

 

[SkylineRKR]

GP is good value. But there is also a lot of trash on there.

The good value is that you didn't have to hand over cash to play a surprise hit like, say, SoR4 or a game I have doubts about like Haven at launch day. SoR is a great game and worth every penny and Haven was kind of soothing, but if you have GP running you can play it. You also don't have to buy a single MS Game Studio exclusive which would set you back for 60 or 70 a piece. The problem though is that their quality isn't close to Sony's. I've been playing catch up lately and I easily got my investment back by playing all Halos, Gears 5, FH4, Battletoads, Sunset Overdrive etc. But the likes of Sunset are imho FAR removed from the quality of Tsushima, Days Gone and even Infamous. Gears 5 actually impressed me but it doesn't hold a candle against the better Sony games as well. Crackdown 3, Bleeding Edge were outright stinkers. Sony had some stinkers at PS4 launch, like Knack and Shadow Fall, but their average quality is undeniably higher.

But on the whole all I bought was Yakuza early November, well and PD Orta for a small fee. For the rest I used GP. But as I said there is a lot of trash. I'm done with the aforementioned games, there isn't much left for me. I'm not going to play that onslaught of Five nights or old FIFA games. There is also quite a bit of classics that are unoptimized for XB One and don't run that much differently from what you experience with PS Now.

 

[Panajev2001a]

One issue I have with gamepass is physical disc users like me don’t really benefit.

Other than that it’s the feeling that gamepass will make future games cater to the subscription model. Basically making games more episodic instead of having just one big release.

By itself gamepass is a great concept. I just don’t like the baggage it carries with it.

Exactly, it does sound great (hey, free games), but it contributes or could contribute to loss of games’ perceived value with similar effect to the mobile games economy where F2P games filled with micro transactions are the common standard... and it does affect game design despite what some people want you to think or might believe.

 

[Freeman76]

36 tinfoil hat plebs so far. Imagine if you posted this on era lmao.....at least 10 times that. Seems here we have a ratio of 5 rational adults to everyone 1 petulant littlw prick. Keep it that way GAF.

 

[FatKingBallman]

EA, Warner, Capcom, Square Enix, Bandai Namco, Ubisoft, Bethesda (prior to acquisition), Sega etc.

They don't put games day one but they participate in it.

So, like they also participate in PS Now too. Gotcha. I've thought it is something reaaaally special for GamePass

 

[DarkMage619]

One issue I have with gamepass is physical disc users like me don’t really benefit.

Other than that it’s the feeling that gamepass will make future games cater to the subscription model. Basically making games more episodic instead of having just one big release.

By itself gamepass is a great concept. I just don’t like the baggage it carries with it.

I'm pretty sure last time I checked all of my disc based games still worked even though I have game pass. The issues people seem to bring up about game pass are 'what ifs' and not really the system as it is today.

What if the price rises to $50? What if game pass is the only way to get games on Xbox? What if the only games on game pass are games as a service? What if all you can do is 'rent' games and they stop selling them? The problem is there is no evidence any of these things will happen. How about complaining about things when they happen instead of random speculation? If they all happen pretty sure game pass is toast anyway.