As Sega considers launching its own video game subscription platform, industry experts weigh the pros and cons of this potential shift.
Sega Explores Subscription Service to Compete with Gaming Giants
Sega Explores Subscription Service to Compete with Gaming Giants
Could Sega's new subscription service reshape the gaming landscape?
Sega is reportedly contemplating a subscription service for video games akin to that of Netflix, a step that could further intensify gaming's shift towards streaming. The company's president, Shuji Utsumi, expressed to the BBC that such products are “very interesting” and suggested that they are evaluating various opportunities, though he remained tight-lipped on specific details.
The anticipated service would join a crowded field already populated by offerings from Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, Nintendo, EA, and Ubisoft, all of which allow gamers to pay a monthly fee for access to a wide array of games. The concern among industry insiders is that multiple subscriptions could burden gamers financially, forcing them to juggle different services to access their favorite titles.
Currently, various Sega games are distributed across several streaming platforms, each with their respective pricing structures. For instance, the price for Xbox Game Pass falls between £6.99 and £14.99 monthly, while PlayStation Plus ranges from £6.99 to £13.49. Observers note that it could be advantageous for Sega if its fans chose to subscribe to its service instead of those of competitors, particularly for dedicated gamers who predominantly engage with Sega titles.
Twitch streamer Rachel Howie, known as 'DontRachQuit,' expressed mixed feelings about what could be another subscription service, stating, "We have so many subscriptions already that we find it very difficult to justify signing up for a new one." She believes Sega would attract a dedicated audience, but questions whether general gamers would leap at this new offering over others like Game Pass.
Sophie Smart, Production Director at UK developer No More Robots, echoed similar sentiments. While she would love to see Sega's revitalization, she expressed concern about whether a rival service would adversely impact the availability of Sega games on existing platforms. The risk, she suggested, may lead to escalated costs for consumers already navigating a crowded subscription landscape.
Utsumi's remarks came before the launch of Sonic 3, coinciding with a remarkable year for Sega that saw multiple product launches. He remarked on the company's losing streak and asserted the need for it to reclaim its former prestige in the global gaming arena, boosting its outside-the-box creativity. "We need to make a great game," he stated while hinting at an ambitious forthcoming project that he believes could surpass fan expectations.
Previously, Sega dominated the gaming scene in the 1990s, but Utsumi opined that it had lost confidence as it focused too heavily on domestic success. He desires to instill a "rock and roll mentality" within the company and stresses the importance of quality in their output. While discussing the much-loved Sonic Adventure series, he hinted at potential developments but refrained from comfortable disclosures.
Despite facing challenges, including recent job cuts affecting 240 employees and the delay of Football Manager 2025 due to quality concerns, Utsumi remains optimistic. He suggests that Sega's ventures into films and television, especially the recent release of Sonic 3, offer a glimpse of renewed excitement within the company. "It'd be nice if that kind of excitement could continue," he concluded, underscoring the positive trajectory he envisions for Sega.
The anticipated service would join a crowded field already populated by offerings from Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, Nintendo, EA, and Ubisoft, all of which allow gamers to pay a monthly fee for access to a wide array of games. The concern among industry insiders is that multiple subscriptions could burden gamers financially, forcing them to juggle different services to access their favorite titles.
Currently, various Sega games are distributed across several streaming platforms, each with their respective pricing structures. For instance, the price for Xbox Game Pass falls between £6.99 and £14.99 monthly, while PlayStation Plus ranges from £6.99 to £13.49. Observers note that it could be advantageous for Sega if its fans chose to subscribe to its service instead of those of competitors, particularly for dedicated gamers who predominantly engage with Sega titles.
Twitch streamer Rachel Howie, known as 'DontRachQuit,' expressed mixed feelings about what could be another subscription service, stating, "We have so many subscriptions already that we find it very difficult to justify signing up for a new one." She believes Sega would attract a dedicated audience, but questions whether general gamers would leap at this new offering over others like Game Pass.
Sophie Smart, Production Director at UK developer No More Robots, echoed similar sentiments. While she would love to see Sega's revitalization, she expressed concern about whether a rival service would adversely impact the availability of Sega games on existing platforms. The risk, she suggested, may lead to escalated costs for consumers already navigating a crowded subscription landscape.
Utsumi's remarks came before the launch of Sonic 3, coinciding with a remarkable year for Sega that saw multiple product launches. He remarked on the company's losing streak and asserted the need for it to reclaim its former prestige in the global gaming arena, boosting its outside-the-box creativity. "We need to make a great game," he stated while hinting at an ambitious forthcoming project that he believes could surpass fan expectations.
Previously, Sega dominated the gaming scene in the 1990s, but Utsumi opined that it had lost confidence as it focused too heavily on domestic success. He desires to instill a "rock and roll mentality" within the company and stresses the importance of quality in their output. While discussing the much-loved Sonic Adventure series, he hinted at potential developments but refrained from comfortable disclosures.
Despite facing challenges, including recent job cuts affecting 240 employees and the delay of Football Manager 2025 due to quality concerns, Utsumi remains optimistic. He suggests that Sega's ventures into films and television, especially the recent release of Sonic 3, offer a glimpse of renewed excitement within the company. "It'd be nice if that kind of excitement could continue," he concluded, underscoring the positive trajectory he envisions for Sega.
