The suggestion of not owning games refers to having subscription-based access to them; as of yet only ever offered as a suggested alternative to purchasing games, which is still very much an option.

That is exactly the problem though. How long will it be until the subscription model is no longer an option but the only option? Because i would bet money on that being the actual goal.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

That is already the case for many mobile games, so why the person you're talking to doesn't think it will happen overall, I'm not sure.

[–] Katana314@lemmy.world -2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

And I would bet money against that.

Look at the reaction in these comments. Even if some games get attention from Game Pass, each individual game gets its renown through major fans that play 50 hours a month. What would any of these publishers have to gain from suddenly denying that revenue flow for JUST the people subscribing? Even a single game attempting that model would likely receive major backlash.

Regardless, I’m going to continue judging memes and arguments like these as pathetic - as they’re already fully assuming at-present a situation we haven’t even started to move towards.

[–] Kroxx@lemm.ee 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

How have we not started moving towards it when every company is trying their damnedest to get subscriptions? Look at new vehicles, they are paywalling features on an already purchased car, I bet you would have "bet against this" too before it happened. The problem is companies are slowly changing things over time hoping consumers don't notice until it's too late.

[–] Katana314@lemmy.world -1 points 9 months ago

"Publishers will remove purchase options" does not follow from "Publishers want to add subscription options". The logic is not there.

If you can name more than a few games that removed their option for purchase due to something other than music licensing problems, that suggest it's part of a move to encourage people to use subscriptions, you have a case. Otherwise, it's fantasy. I can't even think of a single game that's done that.