Imagine yourself in the year 2045, eager to share your favorite game of 2023, Alan Wake 2, with your future partner, child, or friend. You’ve held onto your dependable PlayStation 5, anticipating a wave of nostalgia to prompt you to unearth the old console and relive the gaming memories.
However, as you power it up, you’re confronted with a revelation – Alan Wake 2 is not installed on your system. Compounding the issue, the PlayStation Store no longer supports the PlayStation 5, and the game was never available for physical purchase. A scenario like this underscores the evolving landscape of digital game distribution.
In recent years, the gaming industry has witnessed a surge in digital game sales, coinciding with a concerted push from publishers towards the subscription market. The prevailing notion is that the industry’s future and expansion hinge on embracing subscription services. However, this transition comes with a fundamental shift – the relinquishment of actual ownership of games.
This week marked the release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a remarkable addition to the gaming world. Yet, Ubisoft, the publisher behind the game, made waves not just with its new release but also with a rebranding of its subscription service to Ubisoft+.
The changes in offerings, as outlined by Philippe Tremblay, Ubisoft’s director of subscriptions, were detailed in an interview with gamesindustry.biz. However, one statement from Tremblay stirred controversy, asserting that gamers must grow accustomed to the idea of not owning their games.
In this episode of Spot On, Tam and Lucy delve into the ascent of the subscription model, the mounting concerns regarding ownership and preservation, and the implications for consumers and game developers striving to bring their creations to life. The evolving landscape prompts reflection on our relationship with games and the industry’s trajectory.
