That’s a different and possible argument, it’s a possibility, but that’s probably not going to happen.
Actually you are right. It is just that when I saw the announcement about Call of Duty which was even reported on main news channels as ‘Microsoft has torn up the rules of big video game launches by announcing its most eagerly awaited new title - Call of Duty:Black Ops6 - will be available straight away to subscribers of its Game Pass service’ it kinda spooked me.
call me paranoid but it almost reads like a new policy.
That depends whether or not you own Steam. You may well be rubbing your hands together. 
Well it is my experience when main News Services like the BBC suddenly start reporting this, it normally means something out the ordinary has happened else they wouldnt bother.
‘Microsoft has torn up the rules of big video game launches by announcing its most eagerly awaited new title - Call of Duty:Black Ops6 - will be available straight away to subscribers of its Game Pass service
So I merely posed the question. But you are most probably right, there is most likely nothing to it.
But they are literally saying that the special thing is that it will be available via the Pass from day 1, no? In no way did they imply that it could be exclusive.
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Gaben wouldnt sell. Estimates put his own wealth somewhere around $8bn and it’s also possible that Valve is worth waaayyy more than $16bn given it’s market dominance/prominence.
Plus, given he really owns about 25% of Valve, it wouldn’t be entirely up to him anyway. They do not have to answer to stockholders as Valve is still “privately owned.”
Remember, it’s in Microsofts mission statement: If we can’t compete, buy em out. It’s entirely plausible for MS to consider purchasing valve/Steam.
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I can agree with that as well, but you didn’t take into account that GamePass isn’t just for MSFS. It does allow you to have access to a whole bunch of games in their library at our disposal.
I guess it depends on how you plan on justifying the cost. Your breakdown does makes sense assuming that you only play MSFS every day for the entire 4 years. But if there are days that you’re not playing MSFS, then that’s an expense that you already made that you don’t take a value out of it.
Then when you are a gamer that plays other games on top of MSFS, like Skyrim, Fallout, Starfield, Dragon Age, etc. Purchasing those games separately does tend to add up to the cost that would drive the value away.
While a subscription base, you pay a fixed price which isn’t really that much higher than your own breakdown, but you have access to all the other games available at your disposal. So it doesn’t matter which games you play, whether it is MSFS or other games, you’re getting value out of the subscription that you pay for. And if you don’t want to play anymore, simply cancel the subscription and that’s it.
But it’s indeed become an issue if you’re only playing MSFS and nothing else. Then a GamePass subscription isn’t the way to go.
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This is true. But maybe I am paranoid but subscription models only are obviously the end business goal. This applies to any of these companies. Yes, no plans, they say but a large take up will be the edge of the wedge. So i rather nake it clear that for me, and I stress this is just my personal opinion, subscription is a no go.
I don’t like subscriptions either. (I stopped using Waves plugins in music for that reason).
But I can easily imagine myself stopping a subscription when the sim is looking worse (like now with the low and bad resolution tiles) or when it’s plagued with stutters or bugs.
If a lot of people protest that way maybe it can be a way of “voting with our wallet”…
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The live weather, live traffic, and multiplayer all have ongoing costs. If there were ever to be recurring charges I hope MS still “sells” the software but charges for the things that incur ongoing costs. It’s handwaving and semantics to an extent but that way those who prefer weather presets, don’t care about or have other facilities for live traffic, etc, can do their thing.
I’d rather “upgrade” in the traditional sense. Unfortunately FS doesn’t feel ready for software as a service. Too many regressions and issues each update where anyone paying monthly for that would have legitimate gripes. When those updates are all bug fixes and feature adds, maybe. But paying to have their sims broken will upset a lot of people - as it already does.
Sounds like it’s not an issue for now but Microsoft will ultimately want to change that when we no longer have recourse. Other online things have added all sorts of revenue generation to their formerly free “services”. Amazon added ads to their Prime lineups now. The profit motive is strong and MS is no different from other corporations. Some frustrated bean counter will find a pain point that works. You can bet on it.
About Game Pass, a friend has noted if you buy each year when they run black Friday or other holiday promotions, you can get it for half price or maybe lower.
That’s true, but @BegottenPoet228 is right - they find a way to sneak in commercials here and there. As for a GamePass-exclusive model, I know I read somewhere that PC manufacturers (and MS as well) were trying to make the PC “relevant” again.
Yes, exactly - just like your Netflix subscription when your dissatisfied or going to be traveling, etc you can pause your subscription for a period of time (of your choice). At some point (of your choice) you want to use the sim you merely toggle back on your subscription.
Some do. I wouldn’t say “most.” And that’s a very recent development. For years there was no option. The fact is that consumers were lied to. And we still are. I pay extra for Prime with no commercials. Guess what? There are still ads with some of their content.
Nice analogy. 
That’s true. I was speaking in fairly general terms about ‘pay-to-play.’
Some like it, and I can understand their reasoning.
Also, pray that msfs doesn’t bombard you with other games ads. Windows is already adding ads, can’t believe it has come to this where the very operating system you cannot avoid will be used to serve you ads.
Wasn’t there talk at one point about throwing ads in with Windows? Just bloop an ad for male supplements
Well, probably not at that level … Yet. For various apps, games and software services, very much likely.
I am expecting to see the type of ads that we see in the MS store in other areas of windows like start menu and settings, may be. I mean the settings already update the **** out of windows 11 on my win 10.
I dunno… If it’s plaid I might hold off for a bit…
I wish- I’d have Rodney Dangerfield plaid pants. I’d be standing around waiting for 2024 LET’S GO WHILE WE’RE YOUNG
“Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh? Oh, it looks good on you though.”
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