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[alabtrosMyster]

To get the total value.

but that's not what you get, especially on a service like GP or whatever other service you want to compare it to.

I'll never get close to play 5% of all these games before they leave the service.

If you want to count a value it would be with something like:

20$ * 12months = 240$ a year (to get the AAA games day 1)
5yrs * 240$ = 1200$

Do you normally spend more than 240$ on games each year? and are ALL the games you will play on GP (or similar service)? Do you spend any amount of time on SaaS/f2p games?

Over 5 years, would 1200$ still make sense? You would not have anything to show for it, if you stop paying you lose every single game.
After 5 years I have 17 AAA games bought on day one, that I can replay at will.

Or, more realistically I have a couple of day 1 games, a couple of 20-30$ purchases and a few sub 10$ purchases and I built a library TO MY TASTE.

Personally few of the games I play are on the service, many I can have for free or for a pretty good price if I don't get them day 1, so the value is extremely far from 4800$ USD (which is a dishonest way of representing it).

 

[reinking]

Spoiler

 

[Punished Miku]

but that's not what you get, especially on a service like GP or whatever other service you want to compare it to.

I'll never get close to play 5% of all these games before they leave the service.

If you want to count a value it would be with something like:

20$ * 12months = 240$ a year (to get the AAA games day 1)
5yrs * 240$ = 1200$

Do you normally spend more than 240$ on games each year? and are ALL the games you will play on GP (or similar service)? Do you spend any amount of time on SaaS/f2p games?

Over 5 years, would 1200$ still make sense? You would not have anything to show for it, if you stop paying you lose every single game.
After 5 years I have 17 AAA games bought on day one, that I can replay at will.

Or, more realistically I have a couple of day 1 games, a couple of 20-30$ purchases and a few sub 10$ purchases and I built a library TO MY TASTE.

Personally few of the games I play are on the service, many I can have for free or for a pretty good price if I don't get them day 1, so the value is extremely far from 4800$ USD (which is a dishonest way of representing it).

That's fine. Everyone will have their own way of representing value. Nothing about it is dishonest. This is just one way to do it.

Another way you can do it is just count the amount of games you were going to want to buy. I wanted to buy Starfield for $70. I'm going to wait to buy it until it's like $20 on black Friday. That's a savings of $50 from what I would have paid already. That means I'm getting 2.5 months of full price GP basically free by just waiting to buy Starfield. At the end of the day, I will still own Starfield, but I also got 2.5 months of rentals free by just delaying the purchase a bit, but still having access to it day 1. Once I beat a game, I'm not likely to replay it for literally 5 years unless it's a replayable action game. Just wait, put it on your wishlist and get it when it's $20. Do that for a few games and you cover GP. Many indie games now are $40 and I want to play most of them, and they can be purchased at a later date for a large discount. You own your game eventually, you still play day 1, you get dozens of other rentals, and you're not spending more.

If I do spend more it's because I want to, and am exposed to dozens of new titles I wouldn't have tried and loved so much I want to buy them. Happens often.

 

[A.Romero]

It works for me. I don't have that much time to play anymore so having options to play quickly is a god send.

Also, my brother is subbed as well so we have a large library of games that we both can access and play together.

I don't play even 1/4 of the games offered but as long as there is something for me to play whenever I feel like it it works for me. I still buy PS5 games (last year I probably bought between 7 and 10) and some PC games either in a bundle or directly on Steam.

Don't care that much about owning them but if I try a game in Gamepass and like it I'm more willing to purchase it permanentely on steam or GOG whenever there is a sale.

 

[mitch1971]

One word : Saturation.

 

[Ozriel]

Hey I got the sports channels on my cable subscription.

This is the same as if I bought ALL THE SEATS IN ALL THE STADUIMS WHERE GAMES FOR ANY SPORT that are broadcasted, alongside the plane tickets and hotel stays I would need to view them (forget it if I invite friends over to watch a game with me)!

Only GamePass influencers are stupid enough to see things this way.

Someone needs to create a free “how to make sensible analogies” course on Udemy, because what is this take?

but that's not what you get, especially on a service like GP or whatever other service you want to compare it to.

I'll never get close to play 5% of all these games before they leave the service.

If you want to count a value it would be with something like:

20$ * 12months = 240$ a year (to get the AAA games day 1)
5yrs * 240$ = 1200$

Do you normally spend more than 240$ on games each year? and are ALL the games you will play on GP (or similar service)? Do you spend any amount of time on SaaS/f2p games?

But If you do play any online games, the incremental cost of a Gamepass ultimate sub becomes even smaller. Because the sub also includes the cost of what used to be Xbox Live Gold.

And if you do take advantage of deals or conversion plans to get GPU for cheaper than the monthly fee, it’s an even better deal.

Over 5 years, would 1200$ still make sense? You would not have anything to show for it, if you stop paying you lose every single game.
After 5 years I have 17 AAA games bought on day one, that I can replay at will.

At the end of those five years, the handful of those games you’d want to replay would be dirt cheap at retail.
it’s not like there’s no route to owning these game permanently long term if you played them on GamePass.


GamePass certainly won’t appeal to everyone, depending on your play habits. but for many, it’s a great deal.

 

[Crayon]

I have the PS sub and if you look at the value of the games I play on it, it just baaaarely breaks even with the sub price. Mediumest deal in gaming.

 

[ShadowkillXNA]

Value is subjective.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

To some degree, but an actively managed service is more likely to have a shorter or arbitrary window, no?

Maybe

I have purchased many games that have failed and servers get shut down so again mileage may vary

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

 

[rofif]

 

[alabtrosMyster]

Someone needs to create a free “how to make sensible analogies” course on Udemy, because what is this take?

It's not me that added the price of all the games to get the "value" of the service.

it’s not like there’s no route to owning these game permanently long term if you played them on GamePass.

That makes the subscription even less sensible, you pay twice, even if you get the game on rebate.

As a replacement for old time week-end rentals? You can make that argument.

But a real gamer builds a library over time.

 

[poodaddy]

The value for consumers can't be debated, it's a good deal. The long term viability of the business models is a different conversation, and requires a more nuanced position.

As I've said before, I've enjoyed the service, been on it for a very long time now, perhaps five years or so, but I'm letting it expire this year and I'm not renewing. I have far too many games and not enough time to play them, and this service doesn't help with that and ends up just giving me anxiety about playing games before they leave the service rather than just playing them whenever I get around to it and enjoying them regardless. I'm letting PSPlus expire for the same reason. I pretty much end up with everything on Steam anyway, so I don't really need these services at all, though they're great if you actually make use of them for certain.

 

[bitbydeath]

They do these kinds of tallies on cost of games per sub every year for PS+ and GP. Nothing about it is new.

PS Plus subscribers bagged over $1400 worth of monthly games in 2023

The PS Plus monthly games of 2023 total value comes to over $2K worth of PS5 and PS4 games — let's break down which months gave subscribers the best value.

www.truetrophies.com

PlayStation Plus’ free games for 2022: The most value for the least cost

Not good for Sony’s beancounters, maybe, but great for PS4 players

www.polygon.com

Chart Shows 'Real' Value of PS Plus 2021 Games

A Reddit user creates a chart tracking the 'true' value of PlayStation Plus games in 2021 based on each game's lowest discounted price.

gamerant.com

Value of PS Plus Games in 2020 Blows Subscription Costs Out of the Water

PS Plus offers great games every month for subscribers, managing to accumulate a massive value from January to December 2020.

gamerant.com

PlayStation Plus 2019 Report Card: Price, Value, And Looking To PS5

Sony's PlayStation Plus service went through some major changes in 2019, as the industry began to change around it as well.

www.gamespot.com

PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection Included Games Worth $1,500 in 2018 - PlayStation LifeStyle

An analysis of the Instant Game Collection reveals that the combined retail value of PlayStation Plus 2018 games sits at $1,500 as of Friday, December 21.

www.playstationlifestyle.net

PlayStation Plus gave out $1,287 worth of games in 2017. Were they any good?

Looking back on the quantity, and the quality, of a key benefit to PlayStation Plus subscribers

www.polygon.com

PlayStation Plus gave out $1,150 in free games in 2016. Were they any good?

Looking back on the quantity, and the quality, of a key benefit to PlayStation subscribers.

www.polygon.com

PlayStation Plus gave out $1,000 in free games in 2015. Were they any good?

Looking back on the quantity, and the quality, of a key benefit to PlayStation subscribers.

www.polygon.com

Did PlayStation Plus Represent Value for Money in 2014?

Play more, pay less

www.pushsquare.com

Sony did release 222 games last year on PS+.
Sometimes it’s better if we just don’t compare.

 

[Punished Miku]

Sony did release 222 games last year on PS+.
Sometimes it’s better if we just don’t compare.

Compare whatever you like. Why wouldn't you?

 

[adamsapple]

Maybe

I have purchased many games that have failed and servers get shut down so again mileage may vary

Don't worry Heisenberg, the people who bought this physical, permanent, copy will enjoy this in perpetuity.

But a real gamer builds a library over time.

 

[DAHGAMING]

Amazing deal, I need to renew in March and I cant wait, im going to get on to support to see if I can pay more as always feel im ripping them off. So great just to get amazing games day 1 and play them on Xbox beast or on PC, Microsoft treat us right no need to beg for games off of different platforms as were getting fed so well from the best deal in the world .

 

[DAHGAMING]

I can get 137 games on Steam key sites for less than $100

Sounds a good deal, I bet there all bangers aswell .

 

[Edgelord79]

Renting instead of buying is rarely a deal my friend.

It’s always a deal if the person renting doesn’t care about owning it. It’s completely subjective.

Owning a game isn’t a deal either necessarily.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Sounds a good deal, I bet there all bangers aswell .

It was a slight exaggeration but even older bangers are like $2.

 

[Laptop1991]

So it's quantity over quality like Steam does but in lower numbers, trouble is nothing stands out to me and it;s just a statistic in the end, added with PC game passes restriction's you don't get on Steam or GOG, this won't make me a subscriber, great games might!.

 

[SF Kosmo]

GamePass has been a total game changer for how my family plays games.

My wife and daughter don't follow games media and forums, they don't know what's coming out when, but they love to game and Game Pass let's them just try stuff and see what they like. That works so much better for us. The Xbox totally replaced the PlayStation in the living room and Game Pass is the reason.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

It was a slight exaggeration but even older bangers are like $2.

Brand new $70 console games are like $50 day 1 on these sites. Laugh all you want paying $20 more for new games and about $20, more for older games.

 

[Rawbutt Jellybean]

I accept this rebuke.

However, I was only pointing out that you did not get $4,800 worth of games, rather, you purchased a window in which you may access those games, after which the games and your money will then be gone, leaving you with only the memories of the games you played.

You get to keep the games yes but you lose a lot more money. If you bought GP for $15 and only played 1 new game, you're -$15. If you buy a $70 game you're -$70 and left with a game that's plummeting in value (unless it's from Nintendo of course) and that's also assuming you're actually buying physical which is becoming less common.

 

[Sanepar]

Top50 of 2024 added: only 3 games

 

[ReBurn]

Renting instead of buying is rarely a deal my friend.

It's always a deal if it's cheaper to play it that way. GameFly has been great. Why pay $70? Especially if you're only going to play it once?

 

[semiconscious]

Or, more realistically I have a couple of day 1 games, a couple of 20-30$ purchases and a few sub 10$ purchases and I built a library TO MY TASTE.

Personally few of the games I play are on the service, many I can have for free or for a pretty good price if I don't get them day 1, so the value is extremely far from 4800$ USD (which is a dishonest way of representing it).

yep. people use the term 'value' when what they're talking about is price/cost. 'value's relative/subjective. price/cost is simply price/cost...

 

[Edmund]

People who are smart don't go around shouting that they are smart. It's only stupid people who do.

Same for those who keep shouting that gamepass is great value.


If its really that great, people will see it for themselves. Apparently it's bad that's why green rats like you gotta shout about it for years.

Just a reminder that the ambassador program is gone and kindly just shut the fuck up.

 

[Topher]

It's always a deal if it's cheaper to play it that way. GameFly has been great. Why pay $70? Especially if you're only going to play it once?

I really don't care a thing about owning games in most cases. I'm either going to rent or resell it when I'm done. There are some like Starcraft that I'll play forever, but those are far a few between.

I can understand collectors wanting to continue their hobby of building a real physical library, but outside of that, I think a digital library of games is dang near useless for me. I will say that now that Steam has a viable Family sharing option, I don't mind it quite as much since my sons have access to my games and I have access to theirs.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Game Pass is single-handedly taking Microsoft into bankruptcy; Nadella is not earning his bonuses, Phil is losing his hair faster than Asmongold, Sarah is stuttering on stage, Butty is suffering from a severe case of hemorrhoids and Greenberg is even locking his twitter account. and you are here enjoying Game Pass....playing VideoGames?...How Dare You!

 

[AJUMP23]

I’m digging it.

 

[Ashamam]

Think the title is missing the word potentially, and no one banks the full potential or even close to it in most cases. Which doesn't mean it isn't a good deal, just the title is rubbish.

 

[Rawbutt Jellybean]

People who are smart don't go around shouting that they are smart. It's only stupid people who do.

Same for those who keep shouting that gamepass is great value.


If its really that great, people will see it for themselves. Apparently it's bad that's why green rats like you gotta shout about it for years.

Just a reminder that the ambassador program is gone and kindly just shut the fuck up.

 

[ReBurn]

I really don't care a thing about owning games in most cases. I'm either going to rent or resell it when I'm done. There are some like Starcraft that I'll play forever, but those are far a few between.

I can understand collectors wanting to continue their hobby of building a real physical library, but outside of that, I think a digital library of games is dang near useless for me. I will say that now that Steam has a viable Family sharing option, I don't mind it quite as much since my sons have access to my games and I have access to theirs.

I completely get the collecting thing, too. When I was younger I did collect until I just tired of it. Then I started selling off old games and trading newer games after I played them because it was less expensive overall than holding onto games I know I'm never going to play again. That's why most games I play are either from GameFly or through game pass or PS plus.

I still buy a half dozen or so games a year if I really like them or I specifically want to support the developers, but overall ownership is meaningless to me. I really don't care that I may eventually lose access to the digital games I have paid for when these multibillion dollar companies that host the libraries go under any day now in the console wars. I figure I already got my money's worth and I won't play most of them anymore anyway. For the handful I'm really sentimental about I tend to keep a physical copy around just in case.

 

[adamsapple]

People who are smart don't go around shouting that they are smart. It's only stupid people who do.

Same for those who keep shouting that gamepass is great value.


If its really that great, people will see it for themselves. Apparently it's bad that's why green rats like you gotta shout about it for years.

Just a reminder that the ambassador program is gone and kindly just shut the fuck up.

I really don't care a thing about owning games in most cases. I'm either going to rent or resell it when I'm done. There are some like Starcraft that I'll play forever, but those are far a few between.

I can understand collectors wanting to continue their hobby of building a real physical library, but outside of that, I think a digital library of games is dang near useless for me. I will say that now that Steam has a viable Family sharing option, I don't mind it quite as much since my sons have access to my games and I have access to theirs.

+

= happy Topher.

 

[MiguelItUp]

This is true but how many people really go back and replay games? Can't be that many. I barely ever replay games and I play daily. There's about 5 games I'll go back and replay. Either way sub services like this aren't for me because I like to decide what I play next and the game I want to play next is almost never on a sub service. So I'd rather just buy the game I want to play next instead of playing something just because it's on a sub service and I kind of want to play it. Even if I'll probably never touch that game again after beating it.

I honestly think the majority don't revisit games after completing them. The only games the majority revisit are live service/multiplayer driven ones. I think it's another reason why Game Pass is doing well. Because a lot of people would rather pay a small subscription fee a month to play multiple games, than have to worry about individual pricing that is more expensive than the price of a monthly membership.

I primarily play on PC, but I still own consoles, and as a result I'll always want physical on consoles. Hell, I'd want it on PC if it were still an option. It's the only thing that truly makes you feel like you're owning something, because you actually do. It's in your hands, you can access it, and it belongs to you. The difference between digital games and a subscription is very slim, you don't "own" either of them. Anything could happen to them at any point.

But the way I look at it, at least upfront Game Pass is cheaper for folks. Whereas digital games are the same price as physical games, but you don't own them. If they were generally cheaper it'd be a different story, but they're not.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

We already had a "shut the fuck up moment" to influencers/shills like Paris lilly, Destin, Colt, jez blogger, Pachter or even Jaffe, who claimed that Game Pass was the future; the gaming paradise on Earth, promising better games, complete financial security and creative freedom to game studios; the advocates that minimized and dismissed the potential problems of a service like that as FUD or shit like that.

I just wonder at what point the shared realization of buying older games or AA-indie titles is more cost-effective than using Game Pass. Once this happens, compounded by the lackluster AAA Xbox releases, oh boy, oh boy

 

[El Muerto]

If you sub to Netflix you dont own the movies. YoU wIlL oWn NoThInG.....
If people like a game they can buy it. It's always been an option. There are no gamepass games that are not available to purchase.
And compared to inflation, Xbox Gamepass is a better deal than the blockbuster gamepass which i also subbed to back in the day.

 

[baphomet]

Must be a lot of shit, because i only saw like 5-6 games I wanted to play.

 

[Jaybe]

What was the value of all the games it lost?

 

[Hari Seldon]

I think it is a solid option for most people, but depending on your use case it is probably not worth a full time sub. Like 2-3 months per year is the sweet spot for me. Catch up on the MS exclusives and any Indy games I was too iffy about to purchase for full price. This year I’m playing Indy, the two COD single player, and Frostpunk 2. I also wanted to try their Civ clone and I did (glad I didn’t buy it). So I get really good value out of this. But it being viable business wise is a different story, one that I don’t give any shits about.

 

[Three]

Damn, a decade of shills getting directives ..

Unfortunately they don't have the true shills he's speaking of to create the threads here.

 

[adamsapple]

If you sub to Netflix you dont own the movies. YoU wIlL oWn NoThInG.....
If people like a game they can buy it. It's always been an option. There are no gamepass games that are not available to purchase.
And compared to inflation, Xbox Gamepass is a better deal than the blockbuster gamepass which i also subbed to back in the day.

$14.99 first month then $20 after is pretty devious.

I remember Gamestop tried to do a pilot program a few years back for something like this for pre-owned games only, but they canceled it before it even went into effect.

 

[baphomet]

$14.99 first month then $20 after is pretty devious.

I remember Gamestop tried to do a pilot program a few years back for something like this for pre-owned games only, but they canceled it before it even went into effect.

$20 is less than it cost to rent 3 games a month at that time.

Also if you were smart, you were making copies of all the games you were renting with BB GP. I literally had a copy of every game they had through the PS2/Xbox/GC/360 days.

 

[geary]

You "rent" games on gamepass and play them, you make memories and move on. You want to play the game later, you buy it, most likely at a discount.
Not rocket science logic.

People butthurt on "renting" games, buy the physical editions and then sell them on ebay... How are not seeing the hypocrisy.
I have ~1800 game on different pc libraries, but if i wouldn't have them, i would use gamepass a lot.

 

[Valedix]

Perfect. Lol.

 

[MMaRsu]

Renting instead of buying is rarely a deal my friend.

You dont literally have to buy every game you want to try.....

I know, it's a headscratcher for some..

Being able to rent games was always fun back in the SEGA days.

Not sure why it's suddenly looked down upon.

 

[Astray]

I love how they used the current prices of those games on the Microsoft store as their yardstick and not the historical low from other digital storefronts.

Yep.

They do these kinds of tallies on cost of games per sub every year for PS+ and GP. Nothing about it is new.

PS Plus subscribers bagged over $1400 worth of monthly games in 2023

The PS Plus monthly games of 2023 total value comes to over $2K worth of PS5 and PS4 games — let's break down which months gave subscribers the best value.

www.truetrophies.com

PlayStation Plus’ free games for 2022: The most value for the least cost

Not good for Sony’s beancounters, maybe, but great for PS4 players

www.polygon.com

Chart Shows 'Real' Value of PS Plus 2021 Games

A Reddit user creates a chart tracking the 'true' value of PlayStation Plus games in 2021 based on each game's lowest discounted price.

gamerant.com

Value of PS Plus Games in 2020 Blows Subscription Costs Out of the Water

PS Plus offers great games every month for subscribers, managing to accumulate a massive value from January to December 2020.

gamerant.com

PlayStation Plus 2019 Report Card: Price, Value, And Looking To PS5

Sony's PlayStation Plus service went through some major changes in 2019, as the industry began to change around it as well.

www.gamespot.com

PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection Included Games Worth $1,500 in 2018 - PlayStation LifeStyle

An analysis of the Instant Game Collection reveals that the combined retail value of PlayStation Plus 2018 games sits at $1,500 as of Friday, December 21.

www.playstationlifestyle.net

PlayStation Plus gave out $1,287 worth of games in 2017. Were they any good?

Looking back on the quantity, and the quality, of a key benefit to PlayStation Plus subscribers

www.polygon.com

PlayStation Plus gave out $1,150 in free games in 2016. Were they any good?

Looking back on the quantity, and the quality, of a key benefit to PlayStation subscribers.

www.polygon.com

PlayStation Plus gave out $1,000 in free games in 2015. Were they any good?

Looking back on the quantity, and the quality, of a key benefit to PlayStation subscribers.

www.polygon.com

Did PlayStation Plus Represent Value for Money in 2014?

Play more, pay less

www.pushsquare.com

The existence of opposing shills doesn't disprove my statement.

 

[MMaRsu]

I've always said EGS is the real best deal in gaming. The only place where you get free games for literally no money and no subscription. Just a free account sign up.

Yeah but then you'd have to use that horrible hypocrite's store. Fuuuuuuck that

 

[Shrap]

I still don't get gamepass - the vast majority of the games I've played and give a shit about aren't on gamepass. The best games I played in 2024 - Elden Ring, Wukong, SH2 Remake, FFVII rebirth, LAD: Infinite Wealth, Balatro, Indika, and Pacific Drive are all not available on gamepass along with a ton of other stuff making up the vast majority of the year's best games.

Fuck gamepass. Play the games you actually want, don't rent the ones Microsoft let you.