Zinger Key Points
- Larian Studios' Swen Vincke opposes video game subscriptions as the industry's dominant model.
- Vincke warns against a select group dictating game production in a subscription-dominated scenario.
Swen Vincke, the head of Larian Studios (the developer behind the popular Baldur's Gate 3), firmly opposed the idea of video game subscription services becoming the dominant model in the industry.
In response to recent comments from an Ubisoft Entertainment SA UBSFF executive suggesting gamers need to accept not owning their games for subscriptions to thrive, Vincke took to X to express his concerns.
He emphasized the critical role of content in the gaming industry, stating: "Whatever the future of games looks like, content will always be king."
"But it’s going to be a lot harder to get good content if subscription becomes the dominant model and a select group gets to decide what goes to market and what not. Direct from developer to players is the way," Vincke added.
The Larian Studios boss highlighted the potential pitfalls of subscription models, stating: "Subscription models will always end up being cost/benefit analysis exercises intended to maximize profit."
He cautioned against a scenario where a few platforms control subscriptions, as it could lead to a situation where the preferences of the subscription service dictate which games get made, potentially harming creativity and diversity in the industry.
Vincke firmly stated Larian's games would not be available on subscription services, echoing similar sentiments expressed in a previous interview where he confirmed that Baldur's Gate 3 would not launch into Xbox Game Pass.
"You won’t find our games on a subscription service even if I respect that for many developers it presents an opportunity to make their game. I don’t have an issue with that. I just want to make sure the other ecosystem doesn’t die because it’s valuable."
His stance aligns with broader industry concerns raised by figures like Sony Group Corp.'s SONY PlayStation boss Jim Ryan, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc TTWO and Activision, which have reservations about releasing games directly into subscription services.
Read Next: 'Don't Kid Yourself': Former PlayStation CEO Sounds Alarm On Video Game Industry
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