Will subscriptions like Game Pass kill game purchasing?

In recent years, the video game market has changed significantly. Subscription services offering access to a large library of games for a monthly fee are gaining increasing popularity. One of the most important platforms of this kind is Xbox Game Pass from Microsoft. Other services such as PlayStation Plus and EA Play are also developing in a similar direction. With their development, the question arises whether in the future players will stop buying games outright.

Convenience and access to many games

The biggest advantage of subscriptions is access to a large number of games for one price. Instead of buying a single title, a user can pay a monthly subscription and gain access to hundreds of productions. For many players, this means the ability to test different games without the risk of spending a large amount on a title they may not like. This subscription model works particularly well for those who enjoy frequently trying out new productions.

Subscription services can also be attractive for game developers. Productions that enter the catalogues of such services can reach millions of users who would likely not purchase them in the traditional way. For many smaller studios, being present in the Game Pass library can mean greater popularity and an additional source of funding.

Will buying games disappear

Despite the growing popularity of subscriptions, much suggests that buying games will not disappear completely. Many of the biggest productions continue to sell very well in the traditional sales model. Players often want to have their favourite titles permanently in their library rather than rely on whether a game will remain in a given subscription service. The most likely scenario is the coexistence of both models. Subscriptions can be a way to discover new games and play many productions without significant costs. On the other hand, buying games will remain popular for the biggest releases and titles that players want to own.

Services like Xbox Game Pass are changing the way players engage with video games, but this does not signify the end of traditional game purchasing. Subscriptions offer convenience and access to a large library of titles; however, for many players, owning a physical copy of a game still holds significant value. In the coming years, both models are likely to coexist and evolve together.

source: Own studies