@Edwirichuu You're conveniently overlooking the fact that not everything shown on Netflix or other streaming services is available to legally buy on physical or digital media. Some are, but many are not. And that's obviously intentional - these companies want you to continue paying out, month after month to access their exclusive content. By limiting how it is available (at least legally) they are tying you in to their service as long as you are willing to pay for it, yet you own nothing. So yeah, sure, if I watch something on Netflix and I really like it I will go and buy it. But crucially that's not always possible as they don't release everything to buy. And why would they? If I want to watch certain films I have to pay my sub to Netflix or whoever. That's their whole business model.
The danger for me (and my point which I didn't make clearly enough so apologies for that) is gaming is going the same way - right now you can indeed try a game on GamePass, and if you want it, buy it so you own it.
You might think it's good right now - but what about the longterm?
Will MS allow people to buy their games individually (either digitally or physically) in the future? I'd wager not. I obviously do not know this, but why do they want you to own something 'forever' when they can have people repeatedly paying the same monthly sub for it? This is the way the wind is blowing in all forms of media - games are no exception.
Let's see where we are in 10 years. I would be amazed if MS and probably Sony haven't tried to implement a sub only strategy to play games on their hardware.
Look at Nintendo. On Wii we had the Virtual Console - I could permanently buy old games and own them forever as long as my Wii console kept on working. What is Nintendo's model on the Switch? A subscription to access these same retro games. No longer can I buy Super Mario World or Ocarina of Time to own forever and pay a one off fee for. Now to access these games I have to pay each and every year to have continued access on my current machine. That's the point. And a perfect example of a shift in strategy from a games company. (And to be honest - I only want to play about 10% of the games on NSO - so whilst there's a lot of choice for me, I'm actually not interested in most of it and would wager that's the case with many players.)
If the XBox brand is around in 6 or so years (it's reported that if GamePass isn't profitable by 2030 their current way of doing business is unsustainable) how will MS be making games available? Sub only?
As for trying out games for less on a sub model - sure I can see your point. That's clearly good for many people.
My worry though is that people are sleepwalking into a model of business which on the surface seems convenient and beneficial right now - you have the choice to do either - but given time and if companies like MS have their way there will only be one option, and it'll be the one that benefits the games companies getting paid month in month out and not one for gamers.
Presuming Microsoft will release physical copies of their games on PS and Switch and I'm all for that.
All the fools paying for subscription services across movies, music and videogames - you own nothing and this content can be taken away at a moment's notice and you are powerless to stop them. Why can't people see this?
Look at the furore with Sony recently announcing they were deleting Discovery TV shows even though people had PAID to apparently own them. Even their climb down from this is a temporary solution as they've only extended the deal for an extra few years or smth?
Wake up, smell the coffee and buy physical!!! Screw subscription services!!!
Phenomenal game. Best 2D platformer on Switch IMO. I prefer it to the too easy (yet still great) Mario Wonder as it packs more of a challenge. Would have loved Retro to have made another entry by now...
@NinjaNicky Yeah here in the UK we got the Black Box design variant so that should really read North America and UK. Not the first time Nintendo Life has mixed up/confused the European and UK's releases on the NES!
It was definitely Black Box in the UK with the Mattel version.
How funny, was thinking about these guys the other day. Absolutely loved Impossible Layer (double dipped on Switch) and the first YL game was solid as well. Having more people and time can only be a good thing. Eagerly anticipating whatever they do next.
Comments 56
Re: Xbox Game Pass Really Isn't Coming To Nintendo Switch
@Edwirichuu You're conveniently overlooking the fact that not everything shown on Netflix or other streaming services is available to legally buy on physical or digital media. Some are, but many are not. And that's obviously intentional - these companies want you to continue paying out, month after month to access their exclusive content. By limiting how it is available (at least legally) they are tying you in to their service as long as you are willing to pay for it, yet you own nothing. So yeah, sure, if I watch something on Netflix and I really like it I will go and buy it. But crucially that's not always possible as they don't release everything to buy. And why would they? If I want to watch certain films I have to pay my sub to Netflix or whoever. That's their whole business model.
The danger for me (and my point which I didn't make clearly enough so apologies for that) is gaming is going the same way - right now you can indeed try a game on GamePass, and if you want it, buy it so you own it.
You might think it's good right now - but what about the longterm?
Will MS allow people to buy their games individually (either digitally or physically) in the future? I'd wager not. I obviously do not know this, but why do they want you to own something 'forever' when they can have people repeatedly paying the same monthly sub for it? This is the way the wind is blowing in all forms of media - games are no exception.
Let's see where we are in 10 years. I would be amazed if MS and probably Sony haven't tried to implement a sub only strategy to play games on their hardware.
Look at Nintendo. On Wii we had the Virtual Console - I could permanently buy old games and own them forever as long as my Wii console kept on working. What is Nintendo's model on the Switch? A subscription to access these same retro games. No longer can I buy Super Mario World or Ocarina of Time to own forever and pay a one off fee for. Now to access these games I have to pay each and every year to have continued access on my current machine. That's the point. And a perfect example of a shift in strategy from a games company. (And to be honest - I only want to play about 10% of the games on NSO - so whilst there's a lot of choice for me, I'm actually not interested in most of it and would wager that's the case with many players.)
If the XBox brand is around in 6 or so years (it's reported that if GamePass isn't profitable by 2030 their current way of doing business is unsustainable) how will MS be making games available? Sub only?
As for trying out games for less on a sub model - sure I can see your point. That's clearly good for many people.
My worry though is that people are sleepwalking into a model of business which on the surface seems convenient and beneficial right now - you have the choice to do either - but given time and if companies like MS have their way there will only be one option, and it'll be the one that benefits the games companies getting paid month in month out and not one for gamers.
Peace out man.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Really Isn't Coming To Nintendo Switch
Well I never wanted it anyway.
Presuming Microsoft will release physical copies of their games on PS and Switch and I'm all for that.
All the fools paying for subscription services across movies, music and videogames - you own nothing and this content can be taken away at a moment's notice and you are powerless to stop them. Why can't people see this?
Look at the furore with Sony recently announcing they were deleting Discovery TV shows even though people had PAID to apparently own them. Even their climb down from this is a temporary solution as they've only extended the deal for an extra few years or smth?
Wake up, smell the coffee and buy physical!!! Screw subscription services!!!
Re: Anniversary: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Is Now A Decade Old
Phenomenal game. Best 2D platformer on Switch IMO. I prefer it to the too easy (yet still great) Mario Wonder as it packs more of a challenge.
Would have loved Retro to have made another entry by now...
Re: Meet The Bosses Of 'Penny's Big Breakaway' In Gorgeous Animated Trailer
I really WANT!!!
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl - Donkey Kong
@NinjaNicky Yeah here in the UK we got the Black Box design variant so that should really read North America and UK. Not the first time Nintendo Life has mixed up/confused the European and UK's releases on the NES!
It was definitely Black Box in the UK with the Mattel version.
Re: Video: What's Going On At Playtonic, The Studio Behind Yooka-Laylee?
How funny, was thinking about these guys the other day.
Absolutely loved Impossible Layer (double dipped on Switch) and the first YL game was solid as well.
Having more people and time can only be a good thing. Eagerly anticipating whatever they do next.