For me, it has changed which games I buy but not really how much. Absolutely if a game is released on GamePass day one, I typically won’t buy it. If I really enjoy it I’ll probably buy later at a discount.The narrative is that Xbox is teaching its consumers to not buy games. What say you? What tier do you subscribe to? And how has it impacted how much you spend and on what you spend your money?
I only buy games. I don't think the narrative from Xbox is that it's teaching consumers to not buy games. On the contrary, 85-90% of the people are buying games on Xbox, with the other 10-15% using Game Pass. They said that, on console, Game Pass has reached a saturation point. It's just another option for consumers that want to consume games.The narrative is that Xbox is teaching its consumers to not buy games. What say you? What tier do you subscribe to? And how has it impacted how much you spend and on what you spend your money?
I subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It’s made me spend less on individual games since I can access a wide variety through the subscription.For me, it has changed which games I buy but not really how much. Absolutely if a game is released on GamePass day one, I typically won’t buy it. If I really enjoy it I’ll probably buy later at a discount.
I have bought a number of Xbox first party upgrades (like Starfield and Forza Horizon 5 and, sadly, Redfall). So they got me to spend some extra towards those.
I bought Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth because of other games released on GamePass that showed me how much I enjoyed them.
And GamePass allows me to buy other games not on GamePass that I really want to play.
I also play more variety and play more games overall.
So I’m probably in the camp that spends more since I’m subscribed to GamePass. But if I have to tighten my belt at least I still have a regular cadence of new (or new to me) games to play.
For example, I don't buy games and have already stopped buying games on release. Maybe I've started to value money. I got the feeling that there's no need to rush, because half of the games sooner or later appear in the subscription.I have Game Pass Ultimate through July 2027 and it doesn't affect how I buy third party games unless they're on Game Pass Ultimate day one. It's all about day one for me because im not waiting to see if/when a game I want to play goes on Game Pass. I did however buy the Premium Edition of Starfield.
I am a subscription guy though and do prefer subscriptions over buying games due to the fact that I rarely replay games, don't care about ownership or collecting games. For example, I use Ubisoft+ on Xbox for their games where as before, I used to buy them all day one.
With that said, I do buy games. Bought Visions of Mana and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 digitally on Xbox recently as well as a few Call of Duty games that were on sale two weeks ago since I skipped them but after completing Modern Warfare III last year and looking forward to the Black Ops 6 campaign, I decided to buy Black Ops Cold War, Vanguard and Modern Warfare II. Also bought Scarlet Nexus, Star Ocean The Divine Force and Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion but not sure if I will ever play the first two games.
Next new game purchase and last for 2024 is the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard which is looking more and more like my 2024 game of the year. Can't wait!!