Former PlayStation Boss Warns Against Rise of Subscription Services

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Summary

  • Former PlayStation head Shuhei Yoshida has offered a warning about the future of gaming subscription services.
  • While he appreciates what these services offer, Yoshida says that they may make it more difficult for smaller studios to be noticed.
  • Earlier this month, Yoshida announced that his most anticipated game of 2025 is Baby Steps.

Previously heading PlayStation, Shuhei Yoshida is expressing concerns about the potential drawbacks of gaming subscription services, suggesting they could suppress creativity from more daring developers. Known for his advocacy and backing of independent games, Yoshida commended the PlayStation subscription service, PlayStation Plus, but also admitted his bias while urging caution in adopting this increasingly popular business model, emphasizing that companies must handle it thoughtfully.

Instead of buying games individually, many enthusiasts are now opting for subscription services, granting them immediate access to a diverse collection of both classic and contemporary titles that regularly updates. Some of these services have experienced varying degrees of success, with PlayStation Plus experiencing a decrease in player numbers, despite offering a substantial library of games across all tiers. As more people recognize the value offered by subscription services, a gaming industry icon has issued a pertinent caution about the potential consequences for developers in the future.

At Gamescom LATAM, I had a chat with a game developer where Shuhei Yoshida, ex-head of PlayStation, highlighted a significant concern about game subscription services. He stated that big companies rely on their major first-party titles to attract users, making it tough for smaller studios to break through the noise. In essence, if gaming experiences can only be accessed via subscriptions, it could become risky because the type of games that get created will be determined by the subscription service providers.

However, he appreciated PlayStation Plus for including older games that might have been overlooked or skipped by players. He also commended Microsoft for the continued thriving success of Xbox Game Pass, especially their innovative approach to backward compatibility. Yoshida believes that while subscriptions services do offer advantages, it’s essential for smaller and more innovative games to have a chance to stand alongside the big triple-A titles so the gaming industry can continue evolving as a whole.

Shuhei Yoshida Worries That Subscription Services Will Stifle Creativity

It’s not surprising that Yoshida has concerns regarding independent games, given his affinity for smaller, eccentric titles. Just recently, he foresaw the massive success of both “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” and “Blue Prince”, pointing out their ambitious nature and unique direction well before each game’s launch.

2025 is set to see the launch of some big PlayStation games like “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” and “Ghost of Yotei”, but it’s not these titles that have gaming legend Yoshida most eager. Instead, he’s looking forward to “Baby Steps”, a game coming from a studio known for quirky releases such as “Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy” and “Stick it to the Stickman”. What sets “Baby Steps” apart is that players will have to meticulously control every leg and foot movement to navigate a challenging terrain. Already, previews of the game have generated buzz on social media, with many predicting it could be one of the funniest games of the year.

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2025-05-28 16:24