Shuhei Yoshida warns of the dangers of subscription services for video game developers, as I stare soullessly at the five monthly bank charges for games I don’t play

Speaking to Game Developer, former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment Shuhei Yoshida has outlined his concern regarding video game subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, especially their potential impact on third party and indie developers alike.

According to Game Developer, who spoke to Yoshida at Gamescom LATAM, he stated that it was “great” for those developers allowed inside what the website called the walled garden, but mused that as these services inevitably expand, it’ll be harder for those outside this in-group to cross over.

Yoshida stated, “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 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.”

Yoshida, obviously a tad biased as a former senior member of Team Sony, would go on to say that PlayStation’s approach was “healthier” than what you see on Xbox. This relates to Microsoft’s initial pledge to offer AAA releases day-one on Game Pass, something the company now no longer does for all its biggest releases.

Yoshida continued: “I believe the way Sony approached [subscriptions] is healthier. You know, not to overpromise and to allow people to spend money to buy the new games […] After a couple of years there won’t be many people willing to buy those games at that initial price, so they’ll be added to the subscription service and there’ll be more people to try [those products] in time for the next game in the franchise to come out.”

Speaking purely from my own personal perspective, I do feel that the growth of video game subscription services like Game Pass and PlayStation Plus has devalued big AAA when they come out, especially as the price of those games has increased significantly as of late. I can totally see how a regular consumer would just grab Game Pass and not buy any games full price, which adds merit to Yoshida’s point as this new group of non-buyers wouldn’t be spending on both big AAA releases and third party games outside of these services.

It’s an interesting topic for sure, let us know whether you feel Shuhei Yoshida is on the money down below!