4 ms·

While I agree that all these PC storefronts are a complete PITA, none of them charge a subscription fee like these streaming TV services do. The added cost is i

While I agree that all these PC storefronts are a complete PITA, none of them charge a subscription fee like these streaming TV services do. The added cost is in terms CPU, RAM and convenience. The multitude of stores is proving very difficult for independent developers that would ideally release on every store, because each one comes with different APIs, DRM and community features that require bespoke integrations in both the game and game server (if you have one). The documentation for this stuff is rarely great due in part to the secrecy surrounding the industry, and the speed at which publishers are knocking their own stores together.

falcolas 7y ago
> none of them charge a subscription fee Don't worry, they're working on that. EA Access, Microsoft All Access, and others are looking to fill that "missing feature".
- gruez 7y ago
  You can still buy the games outright, and it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.
  - falcolas 7y ago
    With some caveats today: You get them later than those with the subscriptions. Sometimes up to a week later. I'd also point out that on the Nintendo Switch subscription program, there are a number of games (such as Tetris 99) that you can't buy or play without being a subscriber. And so, I'd argue that the change is underway, today.
- strig 7y ago
  These subscription services are a great way to try out games without paying full price. I spent 10 bucks on EA access to try out Anthem and it saved me 50 bucks in the end since it wasn't worth buying.