Comment on Is Game Pass underperforming?
megopie@beehaw.org 4 months ago
I think the larger issue here is that you can’t compare music or TV shows to games, at least not in how people interact with them.
TV has always been a subscription model, the only difference with streaming is getting to choose when and what you watch. Games have always ether been pay per play or pay for a copy, with the notable exception of free to play or MMOs that require a subscription. Music is an odd case because it’s split between two models historically, radio and records/CDs.
I generally watch a show or movie once, maybe I’ll rewatch it if I really like it, similar for music. If i loose acces to it because a streaming service drops it, shame, but no big deal. But I’ll often go back and play a game for hundreds of hours, loosing acess to a game is a much bigger deal. People generally put a lot more time and effort in when they play a game, owning it makes more sense in that context. Personally, I don’t buy that many games over all, having access to thousands of titles doesn’t mean much if I’ll only ever play a handful. Something like Game pass is more expensive than the rate i buy new games at and loosing access to a game that i routinely play is a legitimate concern with a streaming model, ether because i stop paying the subscription or they desire to take a title off the service.
dax@beehaw.org 4 months ago
Growing up without ubiquitous cable or satellite tv, I just did the world’s biggest double take when I read “TV has always been a subscription model”.
Just saying. We had 3 channels. 3. And on Sundays, every one of them was TV church. It was the fucking worst.
megopie@beehaw.org 4 months ago
Yah I suppose that’s true, broad cast was a thing, suppose that’s the equivalent for free to play or something.