Ex-PlayStaton Boss Warns Subscription Services Could Be Dangerous To Devs

Although subscription services like the Xbox Game Pass are often seen as a boon for gamers given that they can save a ton of money to play many games, not everyone is on a subscription model.

One person interested in subscription services is Shuhei Yoshida, former director of PlayStation Studios.

Yoshida believes the subscription service may decide what games will be played

Yoshida talked about the subscription service in an interview at Gamescom Latam. There, former PlayStation employees explained why they consider it “dangerous” to developers.

Yoshida said, “If the only way people can play games is through a very dangerous subscription, then what (type) games can be created is determined by the owner of the subscription service. But I don’t think it will drive the industry forward if a large company tells you which games you can create.”

Interestingly, Yoshida believes Sony’s PlayStation Plus Service is healthier for developers. This is only given after the more traditional game release, although major first-party games are given as part of the free game of the service. And before anyone says anything, Yoshida admits his own bias, considering he is a former executive in Sony’s PlayStation division.

“I believe the way Sony approached it (subscription) is healthier. I know, you know, you know, and I know that people will allow money to spend on buying new games. A few years later, they are not willing to buy those games at that initial price.

If Yoshida thinks he’s Sony Sill considering his history with the company, then the former executive conveyed it that way, and he also spoke against the push of live services in Sony’s games and how he would resist if he was still in charge.

I also had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Yoshida on Gamescom Latam.

Yoshida Shuhei worked for Sony for a total of 31 years before leaving the PlayStation division in January this year.