Find out why SEGA is hinting at the Launch of its own Subscription Service

By whizzerlow Gaming News
25 December 2024 no comments

From an exclusive interview with BBC, it seems that SEGA is considering launching a gaming subscription service. What are the advantages and challenges?

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Gaming subscription services are nothing new, but it is certainly a very tough market to enter. Requiring a vast game library to make the offer appealing. On top of that, they also need to offer extra features to justify choosing one service over another.

In the gaming world, services like Xbox Game Pass and Playstation Plus dominate. Offering game libraries with monthly new entries as well as various perks like discounts or streaming on other devices. In such a competitive space, what could SEGA’s offer be?

SEGA: Considerations for a Netflix-style Subscription Service

The news comes from an exclusive interview with BBC, where SEGA president Shuji Utsumi expressed interest. In the interview, Utsumi stated that the idea is well-discussed internally, with some plans in mind, though he could not disclose further details.

Based on the president’s remarks, this could potentially materialize. However, many gamers are skeptical. The discussion touches on various aspects of the gaming medium and live services/subscriptions, which many companies are pushing.

SEGA Subscription: Pros and Cons for Gamers

From a financial perspective, especially for shareholders, launching a subscription service seems like a winning move. However, the real question is about the end user opinions. Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Pros

• SEGA Game Library: A large selection of SEGA’s classic and modern titles, along with entries from all its development teams.
• Price: At a competitive price, the service could attract SEGA fans.
• Additional Content: Added features and bonuses are necessary to justify SEGA’s service compared to others.

Cons

• Another Subscription: One of the biggest criticisms is the oversaturation of services, with too many subscriptions overlapping with similar offerings.
• Licensing Issues and Removals: Potential future removal of games from the catalog due to expired licenses. This has happened before and has just recently happened in 2024 from SEGA with games delisting.
• Game Selection: The selection must be compelling, offering not only classics and recent titles but also potentially future releases.
• Annual Cost: Even a low monthly cost might not be worthwhile if players are only interested in a few SEGA titles throughout the year. It could end up costing more than purchasing 2-3 games outright.
• Exclusivity: The potential removal of SEGA games from other services might “force” users to choose SEGA’s service. There’s a strong risk of making some games available only through the subscription, alienating potential SEGA fans.

About SEGA’s Future

In the interview, Shuji Utsumi enthusiastically spoke about wanting SEGA to return to its 1990s golden era and compete with industry giants. While this enthusiasm seems positive, recent years have not been exatly rosy for the company.

With numerous cuts, including a significant one in March where 240 jobs were lost, and the delay of Football Manager 2025 to next year, SEGA faces an extremely competitive 2025. Time will tell if SEGA’s strategy for next year is solid, and if the subscription service is a worthwhile offer or another misstep.

whizzerlow

A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !

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