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Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass have seen a rise in popularity, but they also bring concerning trends in the gaming industry. Recently, Larian Studios’ Publishing Director Michael Douse raised a few questions about how these models impact video game development quality. His candid statement comes in light of Ubisoft’s handling of thePrince of Persia: The Lost Crowndevelopment team.
Although the game received praise from the community, the team was disbanded to work on other projects instead of developing a DLC or sequel. This surprising move has raised various questions at a time when the industry is increasingly dominated by subscription models. Douse in his statement emphasized that the trend of prioritizing subscription services over standalone titles has reduced the quality of individual games and threatens the stability of talented developers in the industry.
Douse Highlights the Curse of Subscription Services Like Xbox Game Pass
Douse pointed to Ubisoft as a prime example of this trend. In the past few years, the company has delivered various underperforming titles such asThe Crew,Assassin’s Creed Mirage, andAvatarwhich undermined the value of its subscription service.
So, when amidst all the disappointing releases,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownwas released, it didn’t get the response it deserved and the development team had to bearthe consequences.
The last notable game on their platform was arguably Far Cry 6 in 2021. The Crew, Mirage and Avatar came in 2023 and didn’t perform, so you may assume subscriptions were at a lull when PoP released by 2024. Which means people wouldn’t be launching their store all too much.If it…https://t.co/uiC167uxGG
Douse further emphasized that if the game had been released on Steam without any changes, it could have achieved greater market success and grabbed the attention it deserved. This success might have even encouraged Ubisoft to take the development team’s suggestions for a sequel more seriously.
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By highlighting these flaws, Douse wants to show that prioritizing subscription models where players pay a small fee for a diverse array of games,seriously undervalues most of the game in everyone’s eyes. This approach only leads companies and developers to not focus on the game’s quality as both undermine the real value of a standalone game.
The Challenges of Game Development in the Subscription Era
The gaming industry is already evolving at a rapid pace and on top of that, developers have to make games that not only satisfy the gamer’s excessive needs but now also the platform’s needs due to the subscription model. As Douse said it is harder to make multiple games than to make one.
From the point of view of users, having loads of games the subscription service is a strong selling point and makes the platform feel worth subscribing to. However, from the developers’ perspective, they need to keep developing games for the platform, otherwise, all the previous games will also lose their value.
If the statement “gamers should get used to not owning their games” is true because of a specific release strategy (sub above sales), then the statement “developers must get used to not having jobs if they make a critically acclaimed game” (platform strategy above title sales) is…
This not only puts developers under a lot of pressure but also makes them skip quality checks in favor of quantity. In a way, this approach changes the conventional view of what constitutes a successful game in today’s market. Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft’s platform haveraised broader questions about the future of game development.
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Will developers feel safe to take risks on innovative, high-quality titles if the rewards seem uncertain? As the industry continues to evolve, the balance between subscription access and the value of individual game sales remains a critical point.
In the end, players and the industry will be discussing these changes for a long time, as it is clear that the impact of subscription services on game development is far from over.
Do you think the subscription service is the future of the gaming industry? Tell us in the comment section below.
Shubham Chaurasia
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1368
At FandomWire, Shubham has spent over a year diving into the evolving world of live-service, action, and open-world games. Whether it’s the democratic galaxy of Helldivers 2 or finishing enemies in titles like Assassin’s Creed or Ghost of Tsushima, Shubham brings a sharp eye and genuine enthusiasm to everything he writes.When he’s not writing, you’ll probably catch him clutching rounds in Valorant or leaping off virtual cliffs into a pile of enemies for the perfect finisher. Outside of gaming, Shubham recharges by hitting the gym or heading out on long, spontaneous bike rides, always chasing the next open road. No matter the game or the gear, he’s always committed to bringing readers timely, accurate, and engaging updates from across the gaming industry.
