In an interview with Gamescom Latam’s game developer, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida warns developers that they are heavily dependent on subscription services. According to Yoshida, game subscription services like Xbox Game Pass can be “really dangerous” as these services could begin to decide what game developers can do.
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Yoshida has expanded the idea by leaning towards fundraising games based on large, risky ideas in general by guiding developers to a safer genre and gameplay style, and soothe player base that may exist primarily in subscription services.
“The only way people can play games is through a very dangerous subscription, because what (type) games can be created is determined by the owner of the subscription service,” Yoshida said.
“It’s really, really dangerous because there must always be fresh new ideas that little developers have tried out that will always create the next wave of development. But I don’t think it will move forward in the industry if a big company tells you which games you can create.”
Yoshida also believes Sony’s approach to subscription services could be “healthier” for developers and the industry as a whole, through some of the higher stages available on PlayStation Plus. He acknowledges that the hours working for Sony may be a bit biased in the company’s favor, but Yoshida also says through PlayStation Plus, Sony encourages players to buy the game rather than wait for them to come to the game.
“I think the way Sony approached it (subscription) is healthier. You know, you know, not overdo it, but let people spend their money to buy new games,” Yoshida said. “In a few years, not many people willing to buy those games at that initial price, so they will be added to the subscription service and more people will try (these products) in time for the next game in the franchise.”
As for Sony’s competitors in the console market, Yoshida praises Microsoft for their efforts to bring backward compatibility to the Xbox Series X/s. “They must have put a lot of engineering efforts to accomplish what they did,” he said. As for Nintendo, Yoshida praises the company’s strategy and the technology behind the Switch and its Joy-Con controller. “(It’s) very clever,” he said. “It’s their DNA that caters to the needs of their family and friends.”
Yoshida may have points about the game pass, but Microsoft believes it is extremely successful. During the revenue callback in January, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella spoke about the growth of its subscription services, revealing that its subscriber base has increased by more than 30%.
“GamePath has increased its PC subscriber base by more than 30% as it focuses on setting new quarterly records for revenue and driving fully paid subscribers across endpoints.” Indiana Jones and the Great.