Larian Studios’ founder and CEO, Swen Vincke, has made it clear that the company’s games will not be featured on subscription services. This announcement comes in response to remarks from Ubisoft’s director of subscription, Philipe Tremblay, who expressed the gradual adoption of subscription models in the gaming industry compared to other media.
In a social media thread, Vincke acknowledged the opportunities subscription services provide for many developers but emphasized the importance of preserving the existing gaming ecosystem. “You won’t find our games on a subscription service, even if I respect that. For many developers, it presents an opportunity to make their game,” Vincke stated. “I just want to make sure the other ecosystem doesn’t die because it’s valuable.”
Vincke stressed the significance of content in shaping the future of gaming and expressed concerns about the potential dominance of the subscription model. He stated, “Whatever the future of games looks like, content will always be king. But it’s going to be a lot harder to get good content if subscription becomes the dominant model and a select group gets to decide what goes to market and what not. Direct from developer to players is the way.”
This stance aligns with Vincke’s previous statement regarding Baldur’s Gate 3, where he emphasized the need for fair compensation for the creation of substantial games. According to him, the upfront investment in creating a substantial game justifies the existence of a fair pricing model, allowing developers to continue producing quality games.
Tremblay’s comments on the slow adoption of the subscription model in gaming have ignited discussions within the industry. He pointed out that gamers are accustomed to owning their games, similar to DVDs, and suggested that a consumer shift in perception is necessary for the subscription model to gain widespread acceptance. Tremblay highlighted the advantages of subscription services, such as maintaining progress and engagement across different gaming sessions.
The debate surrounding subscription models in the gaming industry continues to evolve, with companies like Larian Studios expressing their commitment to preserving alternative distribution channels and business models.
