Gaming's Best Subscription Services
By: Bryce L. Jackson
Just like Live TV, Gaming has its fair share of subscription services competing with each other for the adoration of their fans. These services each have their quirks depending on gaming preferences like genres, perks, and time dedicated to gaming. Which service gives the best deal for your money? That’s dependent on the platforms they have access to, how much they are willing to pay, and if they want to manage another account login.
5. PlayStation Now
Cost: $60/yr or $25/3mos or $10/mo
PlayStation Now is Sony’s entry into the game streaming space. Held back by a hefty initial price point, PS Now is currently the same price as PlayStation Plus. While it has an attractive library and offers support on PC with a dedicated app for the platform, it has had a rough time garnering attention and respect among the other players in the space. Some games offered have also been offered as PlayStation Plus Free Games in the past, others are games one may find through other services. For now, there are other places that have better selections and a better experience than PS Now.
4. Amazon Luna
Cost: $49.99 Required Controller then $6/mo*
*-Early Access pricing
The newest service of all listed, Amazon Luna offers those new to gaming a low entry price point and reduced busywork of managing gaming platforms. Amazon’s foray into cloud gaming is currently in beta and has a limited rollout but shows promise as a solid service. Luna promises 1080p60fps with a minimum of 35MB down internet and low latency with its specialty controller. With Amazon Web Services managing the technical side, it has an encouraging foundation. The initial catalog is lean but has attractive titles like FIFA 21 and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, but that is sure to fill out over time.
3. Ubisoft+
Cost: $14.99/mo
Added Perk: Available in conjunction with Amazon Luna and Google Stadia
Ubisoft wants in on the action of gaming subscriptions and to be fair, it’s not a bad deal. With the strength of their Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, Far Cry franchises and others, it's an appealing service for their single-player and story-driven properties. They also extend their catalog to the big Cloud Streaming sites in Google Stadia and Amazon Luna and progress cross saves between platforms.
2. EA Play
Cost: $5/month or $30/yr; ProPlay: $15/month or $100/year for Day One releases
EA gets on the subscription service bandwagon offering the game titles under their large umbrella. The vast reach of their library gives gamers the option to hop into games they’re interested in. Not needing to commit $60 to any of their current sports titles (after a few months under the basic plan), their Need for Speed titles, or their Star Wars titles is a great value. EA, in my opinion, is one of those companies that have great social games like FIFA or Madden but can become shelved after that initial hype period. EA Play offers a no-guilt option that saves money and hard drive space for those that know they won’t play a sports title every day until the next year's update.
1. XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, PC, or Console
Cost: $15/mo with Ultimate, $10/mo without
Added Perk: Ultimate includes EA Play and xCloud
The pinnacle subscription service of the medium. The reason existing subscriptions are scrambling to beef up their services and why others want in on the game. XBOX Game Pass is the best deal out there for gamers. With the largest library of all the existing services, Game Pass offers users a great opportunity to trial very popular games without the full price commitment. Users do have to be mindful of which games are supported on which platform between consoles and PC, though it rarely an issue. With cross save between console, PC, and mobile with xCloud, Game Pass cements itself as a force in gaming that many want to be apart of and make many others jealous.