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I despise games as a service/game streaming.
4 years ago
General
So over the past few years several game companies have been trying this whole games as a service or game streaming model, where in basically a physical or download version of a game does not exist. Therefore you must either pay a subscription to that game or to the publisher of the game.
I do understand the logic from a business perspective, especially in regards to making physical versions of a game. But I cannot understand it when we live in an age with digital downloads. I am not sure what the cost is for a developer/publisher in regards to making a digital download available for a game.
Anyway, no matter the case I do NOT like this model as it causes some games to exist only temporarily. And yes, I do understand digital download games do share the same issue long term, but at least it has some tangible ownership over the product you purchased.
Even with Nintendo I do NOT like their Nintendo Online Expansion Pass, and as such I have not and WILL NOT buy that expansion to play their paltry amount of N64 games. This is especially considering that I still have a working N64 and have most of the games I'd want to play. Now if I could BUY these N64 games digitally on my Switch I would. I'd be willing to pay $20 to have Banjo Kazooie on the Switch. Yes, I know that sounds weird considering the price of the Online expansion is only $10 more than the previously mentioned price. However in this case I would own the game and could play it without any other steps involved. Tying these games to a service completely changes things from my point of view.
So anyway, I may not be part of a solution to stop the games as a service/game streaming model, but at least I am not part of the problem. Simply put I refuse to support this model and even if I prefer buying physical games I am more willing to accept buying digital games at an inflated price as opposed to supporting games as a service.
I do understand the logic from a business perspective, especially in regards to making physical versions of a game. But I cannot understand it when we live in an age with digital downloads. I am not sure what the cost is for a developer/publisher in regards to making a digital download available for a game.
Anyway, no matter the case I do NOT like this model as it causes some games to exist only temporarily. And yes, I do understand digital download games do share the same issue long term, but at least it has some tangible ownership over the product you purchased.
Even with Nintendo I do NOT like their Nintendo Online Expansion Pass, and as such I have not and WILL NOT buy that expansion to play their paltry amount of N64 games. This is especially considering that I still have a working N64 and have most of the games I'd want to play. Now if I could BUY these N64 games digitally on my Switch I would. I'd be willing to pay $20 to have Banjo Kazooie on the Switch. Yes, I know that sounds weird considering the price of the Online expansion is only $10 more than the previously mentioned price. However in this case I would own the game and could play it without any other steps involved. Tying these games to a service completely changes things from my point of view.
So anyway, I may not be part of a solution to stop the games as a service/game streaming model, but at least I am not part of the problem. Simply put I refuse to support this model and even if I prefer buying physical games I am more willing to accept buying digital games at an inflated price as opposed to supporting games as a service.
I really hope that nintendo sees the light and goes back to its virtual console design for any future consoles, though I doubt it :(
I've yet to try the N64 or Genesis games myself, but have been using it as a way to enjoy the Happy Home Paradise DLC.
Sometimes games as a service makes sense, when the game by its design requires online play with real people, something like Among Us, Fortnite, Fall Guys, etc.
But for something like NSO? It's terrible, you're paying for access to something that really doesn't need an online connection.
Nintendo Switch's online services as I understand them are primarily peer-to-peer, meaning you're not exactly footing a bill for online infrastructure either, you're just giving Nintendo more income to play the games online.
But as your counterpoint states single player games serve little to no need being tied to a games as a service model as it comes off as anti-consumer in many ways.