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Microsoft, Sony, and Google are investing in subscriptions and streaming to give gamers more choice - but the real challenge is changing the way people play

Jul 9, 2019, 23:25 IST

Paying for online services like Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus has become commonplace for dedicated gamers.

PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass offer huge game libraries for a monthly fee.

In an effort to promote subscriptions, Microsoft and other companies are offering their newest games to subscribers the same day they're released.

A few subscriptions also give players access to upcoming games before they're released, but it's a riskier business model for third-party publishers.

Apple's Arcade subscription could drive revenue from millions of gamers who use the App Store for free.

Stadia will use Google's massive cloud infrastructure to stream games directly to players, providing an alternative to expensive consoles.

But cloud gaming has a spotty track record, and it's unclear if gamers will be into Stadia.

Compared to Stadia, Microsoft and Sony's streaming services are only meant to be a supplement. Some industry veterans aren't convinced that the technology will lead to more players.

If free-to-play games continue to dominate the industry, building a "Netflix for Games" might not be a viable business strategy.

Subscriptions are the latest way for the industry to find and monetize new players, and they will help lower the barrier to entry for prospective gamers.

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