If you have more room in your budget and time for additional subscription services, then Sega will gladly fill it. That’s because Sega is now planning to introduce its very own video game subscription service that’s similar to Netflix or to what some of you might already be subscribed to, such as Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus.
Currently, this move is under consideration and hasn’t been launched yet. Sega president Shuji Utsumi himself was the one who revealed the gaming corporation’s plan and future stakes in the gaming industry.
“We’re thinking something – and discussing something – we cannot disclose right now,” Utsumi teased in an interview with BBC. It’s worth noting that Sega owns some of the biggest video game franchises right now such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Yakuza, and Phantasy Star, along with some acquired titles such as Total War, Persona, and Shin Megami Tensei.
Additionally, Sega notably owns some of the old and beloved retro video game titles and franchises such as Virtua Fighter, Streets of Rage, Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe, etc. Hence, Sega likely already has a lineup in mind for what their planned game subscription service might entail.
Sega also Delisted Its Retro Games Earlier in 2024
The funny thing is, that Sega pulled out its retro games in all online and digital storefronts earlier in the year. Thus, it’s easy to assume that Sega might be planning something related to their subscription service with those aforementioned retro games.
As for the fee, there’s no concrete information yet, but since Sega doesn’t own a competitive modern gaming platform or console, it’s fair to expect their subscription service to be less expensive compared to what Xbox or PlayStation offers. After all, Sega also doesn’t have modern platform exclusives.
However, an additional subscription fee is still something to be concerned about for many customers. Sega’s rivals, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and even Ubisoft all have their own forms of subscription services as well, on top of what Microsoft and Sony offer with their platform exclusives.
Hence the game subscription service market is already starting to look saturated. It’s not too far-fetched to expect other big gaming corporations like Square Enix, Capcom, Tencent, Bandai Namco, or even Take-Two Interactive to follow suit if they see financial success in others.
