Former PS executive criticizes Game Pass: Turning developers into wage slaves

2025-08-15 23:20:25|Myriagame |source：minecraft skins

Recently, the game media Gamesindustry.biz released a column "Macro Perspective, Part One: I don't know if games are recession-proof"". The article invited Shawn Layden, former head of PlayStation's global studio, and analysts Mat Piscatella and Piers Harding-Rolls to discuss the current problems facing the gaming industry.

When talking about the diverse pricing model of the gaming industry, it is inevitable to talk about the current popular subscription model.Shawn Layden, a former PlayStation executive who has publicly criticized Microsoft Xbox Game Pass, has once again opened fire.Sean Leiden expressed his dislike for the subscription model, especially Game Pass.

In his opinion, the subscription model forces game developers to essentially become "wage slaves"/workers. "They don't think about making a big splash after the sale, then participate in the share of the money, get extra income, and enjoy those wonderful things. Instead, it becomes - 'You pay me by the hour, I'll help you make a game, give it to you, and put it on your server'."

Excerpts from the article:

Analyst Matt Piscatra believes that this diversified pricing model will continue. "I think we will see a lot of experimental practices, and everyone will try and explore, and then finally be optimized to the extreme - just like the Steam Summer Promotions now. In the past, it was a ‘Wild West’ of discounts and pricing, with all kinds of prices; but now, every year, you can basically guess what the discount will be."

Piscatra continued: "Now there are a lot of 'feeling' analysis in terms of game start-up pricing. Of course, there are also many smart people doing this. They use various charts and data analysis, but due to the high market volatility and the variety of pricing methods, many times they will eventually return to the feeling of 'I think this game is worth $50, I think that is worth $70' - this is not the best way, but it does it often."

What makes the situation even more complicated is that there is now a subscription model that subverts traditional pricing concepts - which also makes the public generally feel that games should cost almost nothing.

"I don't really support the idea of 'Netflix in gaming', and I think it's a danger," Shawn Layden said.

"Look at what's going on with music. In the public's mind, music is worthless, and music should be free. What is Spotify? It's about $15 a month, but almost no one buys music anymore."

He believes that the only benefit of the music industry is that musicians also have a "market next to them" - tour.They can rely more on concert tickets and peripheral products to earn income.

"But the problem with the gaming industry is that our only revenue node is the first release. That's all. No one will spend money to come to the studio to see us write code."

This is also one of the reasons why he believes that putting the game in the subscription service on the day it was first released is "not good for the industry".

"Even big names like Strauss Zernick (Boss Take Two) have said that "GTA" will never be available for subscription on the day of its launch."

GTA6 starter will not log in to Game Pass

Leeden admits that the situation may be different for independent game developers who are eager for exposure, but for the 3A masterpiece, he questioned the practice of putting the game's first release directly into subscription services such as Xbox Game Pass.But since this concept has been proposed, it is difficult to turn back—“You can’t take back the bell that has already ringed, right?”

However, in addition to the economic rationality issue of making the new game "free" first release, Layden is more worried about the change in the concept behind this model.

"There are a lot of debate now - is Game Pass profitable or not? What does it mean? But that's not a question to ask."

"Any enterprise service, as long as you want, can make it look profitable through various financial ‘magic operations’. You just need to remove enough costs from the books and you can say ‘Look, it’s profitable’. But for me, the real question is – is this model healthy for developers?”

Lyden believes that under the subscription model, developers essentially become "wage slaves."

"They are not creating value, putting it in the market, looking forward to the popularity, then participating in the sharing of the money, getting extra benefits, and enjoying those wonderful things. Instead, they become - 'You pay me by the hour, I'll help you make a game, give it to you, and put it on your server'."

“I don’t think this really motivates game developers.”

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