现代媒体消费都是关于订阅的。Netflix、Spotify、Kindle Unlimited和Marvel Unlimited等服务现在很常见。电影、电视节目、书籍、音乐等现在只需支付少量月费即可获得。
电子(Video)游戏也没有摆脱这种趋势。似乎每个与该行业相关的大公司现在都在提供某种形式的游戏订阅服务(game subscription service)。游戏订阅服务(game subscription service)值得吗？让我们来看看这种新玩法的具体细节。
“游戏界的 Netflix”？
当我们提到游戏订阅服务(subscription service)时，我们谈论的是一个非常具体的模型。这些服务会向您收取费用，然后让您访问可以玩的游戏库。这不包括PlayStation Plus 或 Games(PlayStation Plus or Games) with Gold等订阅服务(subscription service)，这些服务会逐件奖励您游戏。
PlayStation Plus 的新订户无法访问该服务过去提供的整个游戏库。如果您想知道PlayStation Plus是否值得，请查看我们关于其工作原理的文章。
在本文中，我们讨论的是 Netflix 风格的无限量游戏订阅(game subscription)服务。因此，让我们分解价值主张(value proposition)和您应该考虑的一些警告。
流媒体与本地播放
视频游戏(Video game)流媒体服务是视频游戏行业(video game industry)的另一项发展，与订阅服务同步起飞。这些服务让您可以玩在远程计算机上运行的游戏。换句话说，您的本地机器(machine doesn)不做任何处理或图形工作。
有时，这些服务还提供一些游戏作为订阅的一部分，同时还出售游戏许可证以逐个标题地进行流式传输。例如，PlayStation Now 提供了数百个(PlayStation)PlayStation游戏，这些游戏可以通过互联网进行流式传输，包含在您的包中。
一种更常见的订阅服务(subscription service)形式可让您将游戏下载到您的控制台或计算机(console or computer)上，就像您以传统方式购买游戏一样。这意味着您仍然需要一台能够(computer capable)满足PC 游戏(PC gaming)最低要求的计算机。
在我们看来，流媒体游戏是个好主意。但是，如果您的互联网太慢或断开连接，您将无法播放它们。要记住的事情。
你别无选择
与Netflix一样，您无法控制订阅服务(subscription service)库中提供哪些游戏。这些服务中的大多数都很好地整合了一个游戏库(game library)，可以为每个人提供一些东西，但如果你想要特定的特许经营权或游戏，你唯一的选择就是购买它们。
游戏来来去去
订阅服务上的游戏不是永久性的。将有源源不断的新游戏可用，而旧游戏将离开。幸运的是，在大多数情况下，您会提前几周收到通知，这样您就可以在游戏结束之前完成您仍然想玩的游戏。
较旧的标题更常见
这些订阅服务中的大多数都是从旧游戏中构建的。这本身不是问题。尽管许多游戏玩家主要对最新游戏感兴趣。尽管如此，最新和最伟大的 AAA 游戏不会立即出现在订阅服务上，这是有道理的。
这也有例外。如果订阅是由自己开发或发布游戏的公司提供的，那么他们自己的第一方游戏很可能最终会出现在该服务上。但这不是常态，因此您必须接受负担得起的游戏订阅服务(game subscription service)意味着玩旧游戏。
这是扩展视野的好方法(Your)
游戏订阅(game subscription)服务的一大优点是，您可以玩原本不会为自己购买的游戏。由于订阅是固定费用，因此没有理由不尝试并尝试图书馆中的所有内容。
你可能会发现一个你认为(t think)不好玩的游戏实际上对你来说是完美的。这也是避免累积大量游戏积压(gaming backlog)的好方法。
可以有额外的津贴
游戏订阅服务(game subscription service)的主要吸引力当然是您作为会员可以玩的游戏。但是，您还应该考虑是否有额外的东西可以使交易变得更甜蜜。
最常见的福利类型是始终受欢迎的折扣。作为图书馆一部分的游戏可以以较低的价格永久购买。同样(Likewise)，订阅者可能会比非订阅者获得更好的可下载内容交易。考虑这些额外的福利以及它们对您的价值，这可能会影响整个服务是否值得。
一些好的订阅
有这么多订阅服务，很难知道去哪里找。好消息是，只有这么多值得一提。让我们来看看各种平台上的一些首映选项。
对于 PC 游戏玩家，在撰写本文时排名第一的服务是 PC 版 Xbox Game Pass。这提供了大量的游戏选择，包括Forza Horizon 4、Halo 和 Microsoft Flight Simulator(Halo and Microsoft Flight simulator)等第一方 AAA 级游戏。如果您还拥有一台Xbox One，则可以支付涵盖这两个平台的订阅层。(subscription tier)
发行商特定的订阅，例如来自 EA 通过Origin Access或 Ubisoft 通过Uplay+的订阅值得研究。但是，它们只对那些通常是这些发行商粉丝的游戏玩家有意义。例如，如果你是《刺客信条》或《孤岛惊魂》的忠实粉丝(Creed or Far Cry fan)，Uplay+对你来说会更有价值。
在macOS 和 iOS(macOS and iOS)上，最引人注目的游戏订阅(game subscription)服务无疑是Apple Arcade。这些游戏由Apple策划，提供各种优质体验。能够在您的Mac、iPhone 和 iPad(iPhone and iPad)上玩相同的游戏非常棒。它还支持家庭共享！在此处阅读有关Apple Arcade的更多信息。
谷歌以(Google)Play Pass的形式为Android提供了类似的东西。它提供数百款高级游戏以及非游戏应用程序。对于Android游戏玩家来说是一笔不可思议的交易，但不像Apple Arcade那样在全球范围内可用。
PlayStation 的粉丝们会想看看PlayStation Now。该服务最初是一种将较旧的经典 PlayStation 游戏流式传输到其他平台的方式。您仍然可以这样做，但它还提供可下载的PlayStation 4游戏。
如前所述，Xbox One 用户可以拥有GamePass或选择Ultimate 层级(Ultimate tier)，其中包括PC 版GamePass以及Xbox Live 服务(Xbox Live service)。
游戏中的最佳优惠
虽然关于游戏订阅是否对整个游戏行业(game industry)有利有很多争论，但毫无疑问，它们对游戏玩家来说是非常好的交易。显然，如果你不真正玩游戏，它们一文不值。
Are Game Subscription Services Worth It?
Modern media consumptiоn is all about subscriptions. Services like Netflix, Spotify, Kindle Unlimited and Marvel Unlimited are commonplace now. Movies, TV shows, books, music and more can now be had for a small monthly fee.
Video games haven’t escaped this trend either. It seems like every major company involved with the industry is now offering some form of game subscription service. Are game subscription services worth it? Let’s look at the nuts and bolts of this new way to play.
The “Netflix Of Games”?
When we refer to game subscription services, we’re talking about a very specific model. These services charge you a fee and then give you access to a library of titles that you can play. This excludes a subscription service such as PlayStation Plus or Games with Gold, which reward you with games on a piece by piece basis.
A new subscriber to PlayStation Plus does not get access to the entire library of games that have been offered by the service in the past. If you want to know if PlayStation Plus is worth it, check out our article on how it works.
In this article, we’re talking about the Netflix-style all-you-can-eat game subscription services. So let’s break down the value proposition and some of the caveats you should take into account.
Streaming Vs Local Play
Video game streaming services are another development in the video game industry which is taking off in parallel with subscription services. These services let you play games that are running on a remote computer. In other words, your local machine doesn’t do any of the processing or graphical work.
Sometimes these services also offer a number of games as part of the subscription, while also selling game licences for streaming on a title by title basis. PlayStation Now, as an example, offers hundreds of PlayStation games that can be streamed over the internet, included in your package.
A more common form of subscription service lets you download your games to your console or computer just as you would if you bought it the traditional way. Which means you still need a computer capable of meeting the minimum requirements, in the case of PC gaming.
In our opinion, streaming games are a neat idea. However, you can’t play them if your internet is either too slow or disconnected. Something to keep in mind.
You’ve Got No Choices
Just as with Netflix, you don’t have any control over which games are offered in the library of the subscription service. Most of these services do a good job putting together a game library that will have something for everyone, but if you want specific franchises or games, your only option is to buy them.
Games Can Come And Go
The games on subscription services aren’t permanent. There will be a constant flow of new games becoming available and old games leaving. Luckily, in most cases, you’ll receive a notice a few weeks in advance, so you can finish games that you still meant to play before they’re gone.
Older Titles Are More Common
Most of these subscription services build their libraries out of older games. This is not a problem in and of itself. Though many gamers are mainly interested in the latest titles. Still, it stands to reason that the latest and greatest AAA titles are not going to show up immediately on subscription services.
There are exceptions to this. Where the subscriptions are offered by companies that also develop or publish games themselves, their own first-party titles may well end up on the service. This isn’t the norm however, so you’ll have to accept that your affordable game subscription service means playing older games.
It’s a Great Way To Expand Your Horizons
One of the great things about game subscription services is that you get to play games that you otherwise would not have bought for yourself. Since the subscription is a fixed cost, there’s no reason not to experiment and try everything in the library.
You may find that a game you didn’t think would be any fun is actually perfect for you. It’s also a good way to avoid building up a giant gaming backlog.
There Can Be Additional Perks
The main appeal of a game subscription service is, of course, the games you get to play as a member. However, you should also take into account whether there are extras to sweeten the deal.
The most common type of perk is the always-welcome discount. Games that are part of the library may be available for permanent purchase at a lower price. Likewise, subscribers might get better deals for downloadable content than non-subscribers. Consider these extra perks and how valuable they are to you, that could tip the scale on whether the service as a whole is worth it.
A Few Good Subscriptions
With so many subscription services out there, it can be hard to know where to look. The good news is that there are only so many worth mentioning. Let’s go through some of the premiere options on various platforms.
For PC gamers, the number #1 service at the time of writing is Xbox Game Pass for PC. This offers a huge selection of games, including 1st-party triple-A juggernauts such as Forza Horizon 4, Halo and Microsoft Flight simulator. If you also own an Xbox One, you can pay for a subscription tier that covers both platforms.
Publisher-specific subscriptions such as those from EA via Origin Access or Ubisoft via Uplay+ are worth looking into. However, they only make sense for gamers who are fans of those publishers in general. If you’re a big Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry fan, for example, Uplay+ will be worth more to you.
On macOS and iOS, the most compelling game subscription services are without a doubt Apple Arcade. These games are curated by Apple and offer a wide variety of quality experiences. Being able to play the same games across your Mac, iPhone and iPad is pretty great. It also supports Family Sharing! Read more about Apple Arcade here.
Google has something similar for Android in the form of Play Pass. It offers hundreds of premium games as well as non-game apps. An incredible deal for Android gamers, but not available worldwide as Apple Arcade is.
PlayStation fans will want to look to PlayStation Now. This service started out as a way to stream older classic PlayStation games to other platforms. You can still do this, but it also offers downloadable PlayStation 4 games.
As mentioned, Xbox One users can have GamePass or opt for the Ultimate tier, which includes GamePass for PC as well as the Xbox Live service.
The Best Deals in Gaming
While there are plenty of debates on whether game subscriptions are good for the game industry as a whole, there’s not doubt that they are incredibly good deals for gamers. Clearly, if you don’t actually play the games, they are worth nothing.
