Xbox may have its strengths and weaknesses, but for Shuhei Yoshida, Microsoft’s push for Game Pass isn’t one of its virtues. The former PlayStation head sees Game Pass as a risk for the industry’s creativity, while praising the PlayStation Plus model.

Xbox has its ups and downs, but for former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida, Microsoft’s focus on Game Pass isn’t one of the positives. Yoshida is willing to acknowledge the impressive work of Microsoft and Xbox but argues that PlayStation Plus offers a healthier environment for the gaming world.

As subscription services become more prevalent in the industry, Yoshida has decided to weigh in on the potential dangers they pose to creativity and the diversity of video games. Now an ambassador for indie games at Sony, Yoshida shared his concern about how the industry might evolve if this model becomes standard, while also applauding Sony’s own PlayStation Plus approach.

Speaking to Game Developer at Gamescom LATAM, Yoshida called subscription models “excellent” overall, but emphasized that they require certain conditions: player privacy must be protected, and the offerings must be well balanced. He warned that if subscriptions become the only way to access games, this could be “truly dangerous,” as it would limit variety and hand control over what games get made to the largest companies.

Subscription Models Could Stifle Originality, Yoshida Warns

For Yoshida, the biggest danger is that subscription services could smother the fresh and original ideas often born in small, independent studios. “New ideas should always have a chance to be tested by small developers who can spark the next wave of innovation,” he said. If large companies set the rules, Yoshida fears the creative growth of the industry could grind to a halt.

This is where Yoshida turned to Xbox Game Pass, explaining that Sony takes what he sees as a healthier path with PlayStation Plus: releasing major games traditionally first, and only later bringing them to the subscription service. He argued this avoids overhyping and allows games to maintain their value without undermining the commercial potential of future releases.

Despite his criticisms of some aspects of Microsoft’s approach, Yoshida also acknowledged the company’s impressive achievements. In particular, he praised Xbox’s efforts in making backward compatibility a reality. “They must have invested a lot of engineering to pull that off,” he concluded.

Source: 3DJuegos