The subscription model has changed music, movies, and television industries. Now the gaming industry is following suit. Platforms like Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and cloud gaming services provide subscribers unlimited access to vast libraries of games for a flat monthly fee. Easy for the gamer, sure, but a problem here is that they may kill creativity in game making.
The Appeal of Subscriptions
From the consumer’s point of view, subscription gaming services are attractive.
- Affordable access: Gamers receive access to hundreds of games for the price of one game
- Variety and discovery: Subscriptions allow gamers to experiment with new genres and studios with no risk involved
- Convenience: Games are downloaded or streamed immediately, without the storage or large upfront payments required
- Industry growth: More players join in when costs are lowered, expanding the gaming audience
On the surface, subscriptions are a win-win for everyone involved in playing games and running them.
The Hidden Risks for Developers
Behind the ease, subscription schemes can be problematic for game creators.
- Profit distribution: Indies can make less than hit movie studios who get most of the eyeballs
- Algorithm-driven success: Like streaming video, games could be assigned visibility based on popularity factors rather than uniqueness
- Shorter shelf life: Gamers play a game for a few minutes and then are gone, so experimental design becomes unlikely
- Pressure to conform: Developers are under pressure to produce games that fit subscription metrics rather than creative vision
In this model, creative risk-taking is overruled by proven formulas.
Lessons from Other Industries
The video games industry is not the first to face this problem.
- Music streaming: Artists end up earning fractions of a penny per play, leading many toward mainstream popularism rather than niche creativity
- TV streaming: Shows are increasingly well-designed for binge viewing, occasionally at the expense of originality
- Film: Subscription platforms are concerned with volume of content rather than enduring cultural relevance
If the trend is followed through with gaming, artists will tend to go for quality and user engagement rather than creativity and art.
What This Means for Players
Gamers may be enjoying cheaper prices and greater accessibility, but they may also suffer unforeseen repercussions.
- Fewer experimental indie games will fit onto big platforms
- Genius mechanics will be trumped by established, formulaic releases
- Games could be built to meet retention goals instead of good storytelling or innovative experiences
In short, the variety and innovation that have characterized gaming for years stand to be eroded.
The Bottom Line
Subscription models are disrupting the gaming ecosystem, giving gamers unprecedented access and value. They also carry hidden trade-offs that may discourage risk-taking and innovative game creation.
If the ecosystem overdepends on engagement economics, gaming could be more predictable and less innovative. The challenge ahead is finding a balance that will allow subscription models to thrive without stifling the kind of creativity that makes games so iconic.
