discussion Ubisoft exec says players must get used to “not owning their games”

[DAP]

https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-exec-says-gamers-need-to-get-comfortable-not-owning-their-games-for-subscriptions-to-take-off

 

Quote

An executive at Assassin’s Creed maker Ubisoft has said gamers will need to get “comfortable” not owning their games before video game subscriptions truly take off.

 

Speaking to discuss the launch of Ubisoft’s new Ubisoft+ Premium and Ubisoft+ Classics subscriptions, Philippe Tremblay, director of subscriptions at Ubisoft, explained to GI.biz what needs to happen before subscription services become a more significant slice of the video game business.

 

"I don't have a crystal ball, but when you look at the different subscription services that are out there, we've had a rapid expansion over the last couple of years, but it's still relatively small compared to the other models," Tremblay said.

 

"We're seeing expansion on console as the likes of PlayStation and Xbox bring new people in. On PC, from a Ubisoft standpoint, it's already been great, but we are looking to reach out more on PC, so we see opportunity there.

 

"One of the things we saw is that gamers are used to, a little bit like DVD, having and owning their games. That's the consumer shift that needs to happen. They got comfortable not owning their CD collection or DVD collection. That's a transformation that's been a bit slower to happen [in games]. As gamers grow comfortable in that aspect… you don't lose your progress. If you resume your game at another time, your progress file is still there. That's not been deleted. You don't lose what you've built in the game or your engagement with the game. So it's about feeling comfortable with not owning your game.

 

"I still have two boxes of DVDs. I definitely understand the gamers perspective with that. But as people embrace that model, they will see that these games will exist, the service will continue, and you'll be able to access them when you feel like. That's reassuring.

 

"Streaming is also a thing that works really well with subscription. So you pay when you need it, as opposed to paying all the time."

 

It’s fair to say Tremblay’s comments haven’t gone down well with some gamers who prefer to buy their video games on-disc as opposed to downloading them or streaming them. But it’s worth pointing out that Ubisoft, like many other video game publishers, does still release its games on-disc, and while digital sales have grown as a portion of overall sales over the years, a significant portion of players still prefer to own their games.

 

Tremblay’s comments also bring up the issue of video game preservation. As more games go down the digital route or rely upon an internet connection to work, so does the risk that these games are lost to time when their servers are shut down. Developer Remedy Entertainment was heavily criticised for releasing Alan Wake 2 as a digital-only video game to keep the price below $70.

 

The physical versus digital debate is sure to grow ever more vociferous as more publishers consider our perhaps inevitable all digital future. Last year, the leaked news of Microsoft’s plan for a slim version of the Xbox Series Xshocked gamers because it mentioned the hardware wouldn’t have a Blu-ray drive. As Xbox boss Phil Spencer said at the time, these plans may have changed.

 

[poki]

This is why corporates try to kill blu-ray / physical media. 

[305]

The difference between games and TV/movies is that users actively go back to their games for a long time. DVDs are usually a one and done thing, maybe once or twice every so often. The comparison doesn’t work, physical media needs to stay. 

[ScorpiosGroove]

more of this "you’ll own nothing and you’ll be happy" bullshit being pushed 

 

[Cameltoe Chariot]

This is why I always buy physical 

[poki]

Let's also remember what R* did to III, Vice City and San Andreas once the Defective Edition came out. Digital media can be delisted at any moment.

[Psylocke]

Streaming has already been proved to be a failed experiment, all of them other than Netflix are struggling and most probably won't survive the next five years... Why would they want to push the same failed business model into gaming? 

[pisuke]

Piracy 

[Mania]

Y'all really pay $10-$100 dollars a month to have corporations spit in your face, the developer, the director, and the art of animation, film, & legacy of iconic video games just because “it’s convenient of not putting something in”. 

Edited January 17 by Mania

[getBusy]

Capitalism is Capitalisming

[Revolution]

Death to all of them

[Watson!]

not necessarily a bad thing., as they will have a reason to release new content every month to keep the subscribers

[kevino]

Oh.. Ubisoft.. 

 

[shinyshimmery]

Well I hope they get used to being unemployed, bc ain’t no way I’m supporting that.

[Life Savers]

No thanks. Like, imagine them dropping a game you love to write it off for taxes like they're doing with movies and shows on Max. I pass.

[Cruel Summer]

And that’s why I don’t play Ubisoft games or use subscription services on PlayStation or Xbox 

[Bloo]

Good thing I abandoned Ubisoft a decade ago. Hopefully the gaming community moves away from subscription based gaming and stops preordering games. 

[Mastamaind]

Is it crack? Is it crack that f*cked up your brain?

 

Subscription services for games and software are total bullsh*t. Put a price on something I'll own forever, want more money? Create something new/make a worthwhile new version, you f*cking lazy avaricious b*tches.

 

Want us to get used to "not owning a game"? Don't make me laugh, b*tch. Why don't you get used to not having a job after we choose a company that gives us what we want?

 

The audacity of these unethical assholes.

Edited January 17 by Mastamaind

[Sabrina Carpenter]

Ubisoft games are trash anyways… who’ tf will pay subscription just to play their mid games 

[Doogle]

Ubisoft exec can get used to no one buying their games.

[TaggedGalaxy]

I will never pay for subscription gaming services and any company that moves in that direction will never get my money. I mostly support indie dev studios these days as they actually put passion into their games

[Gorjesspazze9]

I’m not a heavy gamer anymore and don’t need the clutter. But I understand why people want thier physicals. But it’s definitely gonna die out within the next 5 years and become obsolete. 

[Suilen]

Well I guess as a PC player I'm already used to it, though I have confidence in Steam not to go down anytime soon, can't say the same for Ubisoft

 

[JBJT2786]

They gonna have to get used to me not paying 70+ for a game then....

[JBJT2786]

2 hours ago, Bloo said:

Good thing I abandoned Ubisoft a decade ago. Hopefully the gaming community moves away from subscription based gaming and stops preordering games. 

As long as Gamepass continues to be successful it ain't happening. It might actually get worse before it gets better.