The advertising model seems to be making a comeback where we least expected it: in streaming services and unlimited access subscriptions. Designed to differentiate themselves from linear television by offering, for a fee, a catalog of content without advertising, they increasingly return to their initial proposal.
After Netflix launched its least expensive subscription offer, but punctuated with ad videos before and during a show, it’s Disney+’s turn to prepare to…raise the price of its current package if you don’t want ads. Other services, such as Pluto TV and France.tv Slash for video, opted from their launch for a free service in exchange for advertising clips. But 2023 could well be the year of the explosion of this economic model.
In-game ads
According to the Windows Central site, Microsoft would also consider it for its video game offering. The Xbox Game Pass subscription could thus see its price drop seriously in the face of the arrival of advertising.
It’s hard to imagine being cut off in the middle of a match at fifa23 or full monster attack on god of war ragnarok by advertising This would not be considered by the computer giant, but in a more subtle way.
Gamesual has detected the filing of a patent application. It would be a function to identify when interactivity is the least important in a game, a moment that would later be propitious to place a potentially personalized advertising page. This would require a permanent internet connection from the console.
In the submitted application, it can be seen that the ads would not be invasive either. They would even be integrated into the game in some way, on signs along a highway, at the edge of the field for a sports game, etc. Finally as during a live event in linear.
An offer at a bargain price, but with far fewer advantages
The American media also mentions an email sent to certain users in which they give their opinion on a possible cheaper offer in exchange for advertising. According to a message in Spanish on the ResetEra forum, this subscription could be offered at 2.99 euros per month compared to 9.99 euros for the standard version and 12.99 euros for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which allows you to play on PC and console, but also in cloud gaming. smartphones in particular.
However, the ad-supported offer would be extremely limited. This would include access to games that are at least six months old and online multiplayer, but no new or exclusive releases, discounts on purchases or additional content, nor is cloud gaming expected.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has considered a cheaper subscription. In Brazil, the company is currently testing a multi-member family plan that significantly reduces the individual Xbox Game Pass bill. The unlimited access service to hundreds of video games on PC or consoles already has close to 30 million subscribers. A figure that the gaming branch would like to see inflate, waiting to find out if it will be able to add Activision Blizzard King games or not.
Source: BFM TV
