Former Sony Exec Claims Leaning Too Much on Game Subscription Services Can Force Devs to Play It Safe

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Former Sony Exec Claims Leaning Too Much on Game Subscription Services Can Force Devs to Play It Safe

In recent years, industry giants

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and Sony have been focusing a lot on their paid subscription services. The industry has undergone a drastic transformation in the past decade, as many gamers now prefer to have access to a library of games via monthly or yearly subscriptions. But what’s the catch?

Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida recently explained that if the majority of gamers stop buying video games and play them via subscription services, then they are giving Sony and

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the power to decide what kinds of video games developers can make. This will kill creativity, as developers will not be able to experiment with new or essentially “risky” ideas because the focus will entirely be on generating revenue.

Former PlayStation executive thinks game subscription services stop developers from experimenting with new ideas

Sony and

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’s video game subscription services are convenient for gamers. They allow them to own a massive library of games and, in Xbox’s case, experience some games on day one. The concept is great, but in the long run, it might ruin the gaming industry.

Recently, former PlayStation executive, Shuhei Yoshida, appeared for an interview with 

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 at Gamescom LATAM. During the conversation, Yoshida explained that the popularisation of this concept will prevent developers, especially small ones, from experimenting with new ideas. He said,

If the only way for people to play games is through subscriptions that’s really dangerous, because what [type] of games can be created will be dictated by the owner of the subscription services… That’s really, really risky because 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.

As

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and Sony are often the ones funding indie developers, they will force them to work on a concept that is “safer,” or in basic words, generates more revenue, so it doesn’t turn out to be a financial loss.

Due to these subscription-based services, gamers now think it would make more sense to wait for the game to reach the libraries, rather than buying it when it releases. Surely, major AAA titles don’t have to suffer from this problem, but for indie developers, it is very important because it keeps the studio afloat.

Yoshida thinks Sony is doing a better job because it encourages players to buy the games

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Yoshida further explained that he thinks Sony’s take on the subscription model through PlayStation Plus is “healthier,” because it releases major first-party titles only after a traditional premium release. He supported his statement by pointing out that Sony doesn’t overpromise and encourages players to buy the game.

In Xbox’s case, releasing AAA titles on Xbox Game Pass on day one would be great for gamers, but wouldn’t be so great for developers. However, Sony is also experimenting with this idea now because day one releases indeed attract a lot of new customers.

Most successful video games we know now were once considered to be a “risky” project. The goal to generate revenue was always there, but developers wished to meet the sales target by creating something exceptional. Nowadays, most video games seem like a cheap copy of each other. Most games feel like arcade-style hero shooters because no one wants to take the risk.

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