How Do You Feel About Subscription-Based Games?

Do you remember the old days of being able to pop discs into your PC or console and claim the game, and plunge into your virtual world with no worries? The gaming world is catching up with its most-loved expression: “subscribe and save.” Or, is it “subscribe and play”?

Let’s explore the ever-changing world of games that are subscription-based. There’s no over-simplified thoughts, and perhaps some laughter.

Subscriptions Everywhere

Gaming subscriptions are all over the place: Xbox Game Pass PlayStation Plus, EA Play and more. They provide a wide selection of games with a monthly fee, which makes it attractive for those who are on a tight budget or suffer from the FOMO (fear that they will be left out for those who aren’t millennials). Imagine having an access pass to Top PC Games of All Time and paying less than the latest release. Imagine walking into the buffet where you can eat everything and knowing that there’s dessert included.

However, here’s the problem: Not everyone can indulge in 50 different kinds of dessert each month. That’s kind of the issue with these subscriptions–they’re amazing, but can you really use them to their full potential?

What Gamers Really Think

The players are divided. Some claim, “This is the future!” Some complain, “I want my games the old-fashioned way.” Both parties have a point. One thing is that it’s possible to explore a wide range of titles without the need to pay $60 for only one. It’s a great way to discover obscure treasures (or finding out that you dislike the game that everyone praises when reading PC review articles).

However, having games to play is gratifying. There’s something special about looking at them neatly stacked on your shelves or on your Steam library, such as medals of victories (or backlog games the game you’ll “definitely play one day”).

Why It’s Not Perfect

There are certain games that require commitment. Subscription services allow you to play all kinds of games and finish…nothing. A story-driven RPG on the Best PC Games 2024 list isn’t intended to be a speed-run because your subscription is due to renew automatically. For live-service games, or news coming from the PC gaming news? Subscriptions are like paying for rent in an online play area.

And then there’s the lurking anxiety: “What if they remove the game before I’m done?” Imagine seeing your favorite show taken off Netflix during your binge–painful I’m with you, dear reader.

So, How Do I Feel About It?

In reality, it’s all about. For casual gamers and those who enjoy the variety of games, subscription services are a great option. They’re affordable, give access to upcoming PC Game Releases, and take away the pain of buyer’s remorse (looking towards expensive games that have poor reviews).

However, for those who are devoted to their gaming collection or are seeking total control over the items they own Subscriptions can be like taking chips from the bag of someone else’s however the chips weren’t yours.

To Subscribe or Not to Subscribe?

In the end, it’s a private phone call. If you’re a fan of every aspect of PC gaming options without breaking the bank, gaming subscriptions could be the right choice for you. However, if you’d rather own and enjoy your games like the best wine–or cling to them for the rest of your life, there’s no harm to stick with traditional ownership.

At the moment, it appears that the industry of gaming is playing the dice with subscriptions. Let’s hope that they get the nat-20 but not with snake eyes. We wish you a happy gaming experience, however it works for you!