The Future of Gaming - Thanks to Bethesda, the future doesn't look too bright....

MASTERMINDEVAN · Oct 26, 2019

Fellow gamers, I had an epiphany in light of the new "Fallout 1st" subscription service being implemented into Fallout 76 regarding the future of gaming, and it's not a good one. Bear with me:

Bethesda might have just created the newest monetization method in our $60 video games for other triple-A developers / publishers to implement and personalize going into the next console generation - the "in-game subscriptions"
method.

Think about it. Each console generation in recent history has acted as a waypoint for new monetization methods to be tested and later fully realized in our gaming market. With the original Xbox and PS2, the prominent monetization
method at the time was separate game "expansions", and then smaller DLC packs within games started to catch on. With the Xbox 360 and PS3, the prominent method became the DLC packs which further evolved into "season passes", and then microtransactions in
the form of "vending machine" purchases started to catch on. With the current generation of the Xbox One and PS4, the prominent method of microtransactions further evolved to include RNG "loot boxes" of both cosmetic only and pay-to-win items alongside seasonal
"battle pass" systems. Now I fear that the newest monetization method that might catch on for the upcoming Xbox "Scarlett" and PS5 are in-game subscriptions that lock off "premium" content behind a monthly / yearly paywall.

Before you call me crazy and write this discussion post off as conspiracy theory, consider looking at this monetization method from a business perspective. The triple-A games where I would predict this method
to most likely take place are 3rd-party titles that are eventually added to both the Xbox Game Pass and Playstation Now subscription services, a business model where 3rd-party developers / publishers essentially choose to omit their game's sales profit numbers
in return for higher profit numbers from the other monetization methods like DLC and microtransactions. The 3rd-party companies could justify this method by saying that in-game subscriptions are a "necessary alternative" to make up for the financial loss of
fewer sales numbers. Hell, even games that aren't included in Xbox Game Pass or PSN (both 1st and 3rd party) could see in-game subscriptions being added alongside DLC and microtransactions IN ADDITION to the initial $60 asking price. What a
[Mod Removed - Profanity] show that would become....

So, if any of my aforementioned predictions has concerned you about the future of gaming, I implore you to NEVER even consider subscribing to Fallout 1st, or any other potential in-game subscription within a $60 video
game for that matter. It has been proven many times within our gaming industry that when consumers collectively retaliate against egregious business practices (i.e. NOT purchase / subscribe to them), companies do listen and concede so long as it affects their
bottom line(s). We vote with our bank accounts friends, and because of Bethesda, election season for the next console generation regarding monetization methods has just started.

What will you vote for?

:)

SoberCoffee752

Its sad to see top publishers/devs like bethesda become like EA. Most of my games consist of bethesda published/ developed games and i would hate to see them fall on my never buy from again list.

CptMorgnNoBeard

I am very disappointed with big companies like Bethesda, EA and Ubisoft these days. Most games they release are pushed out so quickly and are riddled with bugs and glitches. I prefer to buy games months after release because of these issues.

oDarth Plagueis

Makes us think twice about Elder Scrolls 6. I will probably still get it day one.

x EeMBe x

I agree and it's sad to see what gaming has become. I will never spend money on something like this. I hope they fail with this subscription model and no one tries to copy them.

tejo chase

We as gamers have the power to stop this sort of monetization happening by not buying into it or other schemes like it. I for one will not pay for such a thing infact I also refuse to pay for loot boxes either for cosmetic or pay to win items. I dont mind
DLC as it often adds good content to a game and prolongs the games life.

Hopefully enough players will not buy into Bethesda's Fallout 1st and it ends up failing.

The Future of Gaming - Thanks to Bethesda, the future doesn't look too bright....