Subscription Services Could Be ‘Dangerous,’ Says Ex-Sony Boss, But PS Plus is Better Than the Rest
Shuhei Yoshida, a former Sony executive, is no longer working in the video game world like he used to, but he still shares his opinions on current trends, including subscription services in gaming.
In an interview at Gamescom LATAM, Yoshida discussed why he believes subscription services can be “dangerous” for developers.
Yoshida’s Thoughts on Subscription Services
Yoshida explained, “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.”
He added, “That’s really, really risky because there always 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.”
PS Plus: A Healthier Option for Developers
However, Yoshida doesn’t believe all subscription services are bad. He thinks Sony’s PlayStation Plus service is better for developers, as major first-party games are included in the service, but only after they have been out for some time. Yoshida also noted that his views might be influenced by his history with Sony.
Yoshida explained that Sony’s approach to subscription services is more balanced and thoughtful. Instead of making too many big promises, Sony encourages players to buy new games at full price when they first release. However, after a few years, when the game’s initial appeal fades, it gets added to the PlayStation Plus subscription service. This way, more people can experience the game at a lower cost, just before the next installment in the series is released, which helps keep interest alive in the franchise.
