Gaming Industry Debates Over Shift to Subscription-Based Model

Larian Studios CEO Opposes Subscription Model, Citing Potential Impact on Game Diversity and Quality

Ubisoft's director of subscriptions, Philippe Tremblay, has suggested that gamers should become comfortable with not owning their games, as the industry moves towards a subscription-based model. This has sparked debate within the gaming industry, with some executives and developers expressing concern over the potential impact on game diversity and quality.
Larian Studios CEO, Swen Vincke, has strongly opposed the subscription model, arguing that it could lead to a narrow selection of games dictated by the preferences of service providers, potentially stifling creativity and diversity in game development. He emphasized the importance of direct sales from developers to players and stated that Larian's games will not be available on any subscription service.
Industry analysis indicates that subscriptions and direct purchases will coexist for now. Mat Piscatella from Circana (formerly NPD) reports that the growth of video game subscription services has flattened and currently only represents 10% of total video game content spending in the US.
Despite the rise of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, many game developers are not embracing this model. Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian Studios has made it clear that the game won’t be coming to subscription services, stating that the amount they charge for the game is fair.
The debate over the role and impact of subscription services is likely to remain a critical topic for developers, players, and industry observers. While subscription models offer convenience and affordability, they also pose challenges to the traditional ways games are created, distributed, and experienced.