CEO of Balder's Gate 3, Swen Vincke, recently responded on X/Twitter to Ubisoft's comments concerning subscription services, stating that the production of quality games will become more challenging if these platforms become prevalent.
Ubisoft has been receiving backlash for their comments about future subscription service plans. Philippe Tremblay, the director of subscriptions at the company, mentioned in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz that gamers need to adapt to the new reality of not owning the games they play. This statement ignited criticism as many players believe owning their games is an essential part of the gaming experience.
These conversations are happening amidst the growing popularity of gaming subscription services, which are becoming increasingly important in today's digital market. Microsoft's Game Pass has been particularly instrumental in changing the landscape, but other options such as Ubisoft's Ubisoft+, EA's EA Play, and Sony's PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers are also available.
While acknowledging the rise of subscription models, Larian's CEO Vincke expressed concern that this shift could lead to a decrease in game quality.
Recent comments by Ubisoft have prompted a response from Larian
Vincke took to X/Twitter to share his concerns about these subscription models. He argued that if subscription services become the primary distribution model, it will become more difficult to create high-quality content. Only a selected group would decide what games come to market, which in his view, is not desirable.
Vincke further expressed his worry in the Twitter thread. He explained that subscription models lead to a cost/benefit analysis aimed at maximizing profits. This could lead to a situation where a select group of digital distribution platforms control the market, making it extremely challenging for smaller companies to gain visibility. If all such platforms shift to subscription services, the competition could become brutal.
He further said, 'In such a world, by definition, preference of the subscription service will determine what games get made. Trust me – you really don't want that.'
Vincke concluded by firmly stating that Larian's games will not feature on a subscription service. He insists on preserving the current ecosystem where players can buy and own games, as he believes this is a significant value proposition.
In line with this sentiment, Vincke recently announced that it's highly unlikely that Balder's Gate 3 will ever be available on Xbox Game Pass.
As the video game industry continues to evolve further into subscription models, it's likely that this will influence the kinds of games that are produced. This could, in turn, impact the variety of games available for players. Ensuring long-term access to favourite titles also becomes a big concern in this context. Therefore, it's necessary to continue discussing these issues, and it's refreshing to see a CEO like Vincke openly express his thoughts on the matter.