Gamers need to get used to not owning games

The traditional approach to buying and owning games is shifting to a radically different model, as subscription and temporary access become the norm. So Ubisoft is inviting us to rethink the way we consume video games with its new Ubisoft+ subscription offering.

Ubisoft seems to be playing with fire by calling into question (again) the good old physical format of games. Basically, they want players to pay not to own a game, but just for the right to use it for a certain period of time.

Philippe Tremblay, person responsible for subscription strategy at Ubisoft, He explains Also, you have to get used to not having your toys anymore. Just imagine having the option to rent a car instead of buying one, except that car is for gaming.

(…) When we look at the results (of the study), players really enjoy and engage with our catalog when they sign up.

We will abandon purchasing games in favor of renting them

Their new show is called Ubisoft + Premiuma mix between legacy Ubisoft+ Multi-Access services and PC Access services. For 17.99 euros per monthplayers on PC, Xbox, and Amazon Luna will be able to access new features as soon as they are released, such as the latest Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. They also have another subscription, Ubisoft + ClassicsPriced at €7.99 for PC, giving access to already released games.

Ubisoft is going all out for subscriptions, hoping players will take the bait. They argue that games will always be there, available when you want, as long as you pay. It also highlights the fact that game progress won't disappear, but rather everything is saved in the cloud.

Another advantage of this model is that you can stream without having to download games. This can be very practical for playing without waiting especially on multiple platforms and screens.

This system is not unanimous

However, this system is not unanimous, especially among video game fans. For those who like to collect boxed toys, this change presents a problem. The issue of ownership becomes sensitive: by subscribing to this service, players pay for temporary access, without owning the game at all. It's more like renting instead of buying.

This situation raises important questions about the power that game publishers have. They control access to games, radically changing the player experience. In other words, this model changes the rules of the game in terms of control and ownership, potentially redefining the way we consume our games.