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All articles tagged with #subscription services

Sony Was Right: Subscriptions Struggle to Fund Big First-Party Games
business1 month ago

Sony Was Right: Subscriptions Struggle to Fund Big First-Party Games

Opinion piece argues Sony’s caution on day-one, all-you-can-play subscriptions was prescient. It cites Microsoft’s Game Pass price hikes and the COD inclusion as signs the model is financially fragile, while Sony’s PS Plus Extra is valuable without day-one exclusives—despite Horizon joining later. The author suggests the Netflix-for-games idea is fading, MS may pivot, and Sony’s approach appears more sustainable for long-term profitability.

via Push Square|
#business#first-party-games#pricing-strategy
Microsoft Slashes Xbox Game Pass Prices as COD Launch Strategy Shifts
technology1 month ago

Microsoft Slashes Xbox Game Pass Prices as COD Launch Strategy Shifts

Microsoft cuts Xbox Game Pass prices (Ultimate to $22.99/month, PC Game Pass to $13.99) to close the gap with Sony and Nintendo, and confirms that future Call of Duty releases won’t debut on Xbox but will be added to Game Pass a year after release; the move comes amid ongoing Xbox struggles and a leadership shake-up with Asha Sharma now heading the division, a shift that analysts still view as a positive for MSFT stock.

via TipRanks|
#call-of-duty#microsoft#subscription-services
Subscriptions drive US video game spend up 3% in January, Circana finds
business3 months ago

Subscriptions drive US video game spend up 3% in January, Circana finds

Circana reports US video game spending rose 3% year over year in January to $4.3B, led by a 23% jump in non-mobile subscription services ($596M). Hardware spend climbed 16% to $248M, with Nintendo Switch 2 helping offset declines for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. In software, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and NBA 2K26 topped the Top 20, Madden NFL 26 rose, Battlefield 6 fell, and Final Fantasy VII Remake jumped into the Top 10 after new Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S versions. Mobile content dipped overall.

via GamesIndustry.biz|
#business#circana#hardware-spend
Resist and Unsubscribe launches 30-day tech and AI subscription boycott
technology3 months ago

Resist and Unsubscribe launches 30-day tech and AI subscription boycott

Resist and Unsubscribe has launched a 30-day economic strike against major tech/AI firms—Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Paramount+, Uber, Netflix, X, Meta, and OpenAI—along with consumer-facing firms seen as ICE enablers, in protest of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Participants are urged to unsubscribe from paid services in February, refrain from buying Apple hardware through March, and delete Meta platforms while using Instagram to spread the message without ads. The organizers say the aim is to press policymakers and corporate leaders by signaling through economic activity, noting the tech sector’s political influence; Gizmodo sought comment.

via Gizmodo|
#ai-companies#anti-ice#resist-and-unsubscribe
Most US Gamers Purchase Two or Fewer New Games Annually
technology7 months ago

Most US Gamers Purchase Two or Fewer New Games Annually

A new report reveals that in the US, a third of gamers buy less than one game per year, with 63% purchasing two or fewer annually, highlighting a small core of highly engaged players who sustain the industry. This trend raises questions about the future of game sales, the impact of subscription services like Game Pass, and the viability of smaller studios amid changing consumer habits.

via Eurogamer|
#game-pass#game-purchases#gaming-industry
Microsoft Raises Xbox Game Pass Prices Amid Subscriber Backlash and Plan Overhauls
technology7 months ago

Microsoft Raises Xbox Game Pass Prices Amid Subscriber Backlash and Plan Overhauls

Microsoft defends its recent Xbox Game Pass price increases, claiming added value, despite consumer backlash and cancellations. The price hike, especially for the Ultimate tier, has led to dissatisfaction, but Microsoft shows no signs of reversing the decision. Meanwhile, PC Game Pass remains a cheaper and more appealing option for gamers, with broader affordability and access to new titles, potentially making PC gaming more attractive compared to console options. The situation hints at a possible future where PC gaming gains an edge over console gaming due to pricing strategies.

via TechRadar|
#microsoft#pc-gaming#price-hike
Xbox's Call of Duty Losses and Game Pass Price Hikes Highlight Revenue Challenges
technology7 months ago

Xbox's Call of Duty Losses and Game Pass Price Hikes Highlight Revenue Challenges

Microsoft reportedly lost $300 million in Call of Duty sales last year due to the game being available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, which impacted traditional sales. Despite efforts to grow Xbox Game Pass, including price increases and new tiers, the service has not met expectations for explosive growth, and the shift has raised concerns about market consolidation and pricing. The last known subscriber count was 34 million, with the service generating nearly $5 billion in revenue.

via VGChartz|
#call-of-duty#gaming-industry#microsoft
FTC Sues LA Fitness Over Difficult Membership Cancellation Policies
business9 months ago

FTC Sues LA Fitness Over Difficult Membership Cancellation Policies

The FTC is suing LA Fitness operators, alleging they make it excessively difficult for customers to cancel memberships through complicated processes and inadequate disclosures, leading to consumers paying unwanted recurring fees. The complaint highlights issues with in-person and mail cancellations, and the company’s online options still impose burdens, with the FTC seeking remedies including a court order and refunds.

via ABC News|
#business#consumer-protection#ftc