I agree with most of this, except that I think comparing video game services to video streaming services is misleading. As the author points out, video game content can have a much longer lifespan than linear content, so people skip around a lot less. If you like crime TV shows you can watch all the episodes of a crime TV show and then try another show and another show and there is an ongoing demand for similar content.
If you like Fortnite you play more Fortnite. You might try another game like Fortnite, but only one or two games and you are probably going to settle on one. Same if you are a fan of CoD, GTA, Madden, etc. In general you are not trying a new game every month the way you might see a new movie or read a new book.
There are some gamers on Steam who try lots and lots of different games all the time. Everything well reviewed, things on sale.. etc. My kids are like that. But gamers like that are rare. 95% of the people on Steam play two games or one exclusively.
Therefore I don't see a rise of services that are like "Netflix" for gamers. Digital DRM channels like Steam, Origin, Epic, etc. will continue to thrive because they let you buy the thing you really want. I question the long term major success of things like Apple Arcade. People who will pay for games want to pay for the game they want most. They don't mind getting other games, but having a library to sample is of dubious value. I can see the point if you are a parent and you are buying for your kids so it will continue.
Otherwise I think this article is great. Yay gaming industry!
If you like Fortnite you play more Fortnite. You might try another game like Fortnite, but only one or two games and you are probably going to settle on one. Same if you are a fan of CoD, GTA, Madden, etc. In general you are not trying a new game every month the way you might see a new movie or read a new book.
There are some gamers on Steam who try lots and lots of different games all the time. Everything well reviewed, things on sale.. etc. My kids are like that. But gamers like that are rare. 95% of the people on Steam play two games or one exclusively.
Therefore I don't see a rise of services that are like "Netflix" for gamers. Digital DRM channels like Steam, Origin, Epic, etc. will continue to thrive because they let you buy the thing you really want. I question the long term major success of things like Apple Arcade. People who will pay for games want to pay for the game they want most. They don't mind getting other games, but having a library to sample is of dubious value. I can see the point if you are a parent and you are buying for your kids so it will continue.
Otherwise I think this article is great. Yay gaming industry!