> But as people embrace [the model of subscription video games], they will see that these games will exist, the service will continue, and you'll be able to access them when you feel like. Thats reassuring.
-- The Ubisoft director of subscriptions just the other day.
What is going on at Ubisoft? Is it incompetence? Like, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing?
They do understand how terrible this looks, right?
Right?
/s
Anyway, I kinda get the point of view even if I dislike it. People really do continue to buy the newest CoD and sport franchise games despite the predatory monetization. Those are the people who are predicted to "embrace" their business model. And Ubisoft may actually keep some services running, though I suspect it will be only after they've sufficiently perfected the ~gambling~ ~Skinner box[0]~ ~money-grabbing~ gaming experience.
0: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operant_conditioning_chamber
Netflix frequently removes shows from their collection. Maybe they don't want us to pay for - and own - specific games. Maybe the idea is to convince us to pay $10/month for access to Ubisoft's "complete" collection of titles, with new games coming out regularly and old games being retired at a steady rate.
That would surely mean, not paying sticker price for a new game, right Ubisoft? Riiight?
Even with music I'm increasingly missing my old CD library. I miss knowing that I'll always be able to play my favorite songs even if some music lawyers have a fight, or my internet connection drops out. The subscription economy sure seems brittle.
in the end i think besides releasing the sources this kind of crowdfunding is the most likely way how an online game can be kept alive.