Subscription services have taken over nearly every corner of our lives. Sad but true. From streaming movies to getting groceries, the “subscribe and thrive” way of living is here to stay.
But when it comes to gaming, subscription-based services may be more temporary – or are they the future on our consoles, PCs, and mobile devices? We’re going to dive into this topic thanks to our friends at Eneba and see what’s what.
The Rise of Subscription Gaming
Subscription-based gaming has taken off in recent years, with services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus reimagining how we access our favorite games. Rather than shelling out $70 or more per title, you pay a monthly fee for a vault of games they can access instantly. But you know all this.
This pricing structure is appealing to so many as it feels like a low-commitment way to experience a huge library of games without feeling locked into just one title. There’s also the factor of flexibility. Rather than committing to a specific game, you can sample different ones, dabble in genres you might never consider buying outright, and generally keep things fresh.
How it Began
Subscription gaming has actually been around in gaming for quite some time. Take the WoW membership (available at a low price via Eneba!) as a prime example. Since 2004, World of Warcraft has been a subscription-based game that’s managed to keep millions of players worldwide hooked for nearly two decades.
WoW’s evolving content and player-driven economy drew people in, but the subscription model kept the virtual world alive and dynamic, ensuring that only active players shaped the game’s landscape. WoW was one of the first to show that subscription-based gaming wasn’t just possible but could thrive. And other developers noticed.
The Evolution
The subscription model isn’t standing still either when it comes to gaming either. Xbox Game Pass, with its entry-level Core tier, has set a new standard in subscription gaming by offering online multiplayer and a rotating lineup of fan-favorite titles at an affordable price. The Ultimate tier delivers an extensive library with day-one releases for major titles too.
As gamer needs shift, subscription services have evolved to offer flexible tiers, expansive libraries, and exclusive perks that cater to everyone. Meaning they’re doing all they can to survive…and thrive.
Is Subscription Gaming Here to Stay?
It seems likely. If the continued popularity of World of Warcraft’s subscription model is any indication anyway – as well as the increasing and expanding number of services like Game Pass and even retro gaming streaming like Antstream.
With technology advances and with more titles going digital, the subscription model seems even more like the future of gaming.
And if you want to get on board with subscription gaming you can go to Eneba.com and save money on WoW memberships, Game Pass tiers, and more.
