Former Playstation big wig Shuhei Yoshida has spoken about the rise of the subscription services offered to gamers and has warned that these properties could become “dangerous” if they are not handled properly by companies.
Yoshida spoke to Game Developer at the recent Gamescom LATAM event, also covered by Game Developer – Shuhei Yoshida warns subscription services could become ‘dangerous’ for developers. Yoshida said, “There must always be fresh new ideas tried by small developers that create the next wave of development. But if the big companies dictate what games can be created, I don’t think that will advance the industry”.
Adding to this, Yoshida also spoke about how Microsoft brings first-party games onto Gamepass day one as opposed to Playstation, who release the titles at a premium price tag before then bringing them to PS Plus. Yoshida said, “I believe the way Sony approaches (subscriptions) is healthier. You know not to overpromise and to allow people to spend money to buy new games”. Whilst I happen to sort of agree that, yes, Playstation does allow the consumer to buy the games and invest in the developer, Microsoft allows us to discover new games that maybe we wouldn’t pull the money out of our pocket for, for a monthly price and allowing us to simply install the title before it’s pulled away from Gamepass in the future.
Essentially, whilst Yoshida does have a Sony bias as he is the former PS boss, I do think the point stands where Playstation looks to bring eyes to their market with the premium price before having the titles head to PS Plus, where people’s eyes bulge over the game being there. However, I reiterate that Microsoft allows us to simply try out the title that has landed on Gamepass before it heads out, which is received well, will make sales on the backend rather than the front. Both, of course, have benefits. However, Microsoft seems to be having a greater impact on their subscription service as of right now with Sony chasing the pack.
What do you guys think? Do you think Yoshida hit the mark? Or do you believe that both serve equally to the consumers? Let us know down below!
