Subscription Services
Ongoing coverage on Subscription Services.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, CrossCode and For the King 2 Coming to PS Plus Essential on July 7th
Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Essential games for July, featuring Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Cross-Gen Bundle), the roguelike RPG For the King 2, and the action RPG CrossCode. While Modern Warfare 3 and For the King 2 receive mixed reviews, CrossCode is highlighted as a strong offering. These titles will be available to subscribers on July 7th.
GTA 6 Preorders Include Auto-Renewing Membership To Something You Might Not Actually Want
Grand Theft Auto 6 preorders now include a free month of the GTA+ subscription service, which auto-renews at $8 unless canceled. Details on when the first month begins are still unclear. The article also discusses the potential implications for GTA 6's online mode and the existing GTA Online community.
Modern Warfare 4 Facebook ads want to make sure everyone understands this year's Call of Duty won't be on Xbox Game Pass
Activision is using Facebook ads to inform players that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will not be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, a shift from previous years. This marks a change in Microsoft's strategy for its gaming division under new leadership. The game will release on October 23rd for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, with pre-orders offering early access to the campaign and an expanded DMZ mode.
PlayStation Plus Adds Massive 2025 PS5 Adventure RPG
Sony has added three new PlayStation 5 games to the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium catalogs for June 2026: Black Desert (2025), Blades of Fire, and Farming Simulator 25. The article also lists other games added to the service this month, including Final Fantasy 16 and Sonic X Shadow Generations.
Nintendo Switch Online Japan Subscription Prices Are Going Up
Nintendo is increasing the subscription prices for its online services in Japan, affecting both individual and family memberships for standard and expansion tiers. The price hike will take effect on July 1, 2026, with current rates valid until June 30, 2026. This change impacts users with Japanese region accounts, including international gamers who use them for exclusive content.
Xbox marketing takes embarrassing turn with new Call of Duty ads loudly disclaiming 'NOT ON XBOX GAME PASS THIS…
Xbox has launched new advertising campaigns for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 that explicitly state the game will not be available on Xbox Game Pass this year. This marketing shift follows a business decision to exclude new Call of Duty titles from the subscription service at launch to boost direct sales, after the service reportedly incurred significant losses.
Morning Metaverse
Comcast has announced plans to separate its media and technology businesses into two distinct public companies. Separately, YouTube Premium has increased its monthly subscription price to $16, prompting some users to reconsider their viewing habits.
Xbox reportedly stops signing third-party Game Pass deals
Xbox has reportedly halted new third-party deals for Game Pass, with sources indicating that developers were informed of a pause in negotiations. This decision comes as new Xbox boss Asha Sharma assesses the company's strategy following significant acquisitions and a recent price increase on consoles. While the future of third-party content on Game Pass is uncertain, the service remains a key component of Xbox's business model.
Another PlayStation Plus Price Hike Feared After Sony Statement
Sony has indicated a shift in strategy, prioritizing revenue from existing PlayStation players over monthly active users, leading to fears of a PlayStation Plus price increase. The company aims to increase Customer Lifetime Value and recurring revenue, suggesting that costs for servers and network infrastructure will be passed on to subscribers if they rise.
Nintendo Switch Online is what Game Pass wanted to be - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that Nintendo Switch Online is a more successful subscription service than Microsoft's Game Pass. The author highlights Nintendo's lower price point, retro game focus, and less aggressive marketing as key factors in its quiet success, contrasting it with Game Pass's perceived issues with rising prices and overwhelming choice.
PS5 pre-orders for GTA 6 are outselling Xbox by a huge margin
Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders are significantly favoring the PlayStation 5 over the Xbox Series X/S, with data indicating a 6-to-1 sales ratio. Sony has emphasized its console's advantages, including DualSense features and faster load times, while Microsoft faces challenges with lower console sales and the potential impact of Xbox Game Pass on full-price game purchases.
Nintendo Download: Prepare for Sortie with Team Star Fox!
Nintendo has announced its latest eShop updates for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, featuring new releases like Star Fox, DELTARUNE Chapter 5, and Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition. The company is also promoting summer sales on digital games and offering a bonus month for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack memberships.
Games Leaving PS Plus in August Revealed, July List Updated
Sony has revealed the list of games departing the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers in August 2026, earlier than usual. The July departure list was also updated, with some titles now leaving later in August. Notable games leaving in August include Clash: Artifacts of Chaos and Roki.
GTA 6's free pre-order bonus comes with a catch – it's automatically set to charge you a month after…
Players pre-ordering Grand Theft Auto 6 are being warned about a free month of GTA+ that comes with the purchase. While the subscription offers benefits for Grand Theft Auto Online and access to other Rockstar titles, it automatically renews after the free month unless manually turned off. This auto-renewal feature has prompted caution among fans to avoid unexpected charges.
GTA 6 is a 'singleplayer experience', leaving me to question what's going on with GTA Online
Rockstar has confirmed Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch as a singleplayer experience in November 2026, leaving uncertainty about the future of its lucrative Grand Theft Auto Online component. While a "top secret" feature for online lobbies was revealed in court documents, Rockstar has remained silent on GTA Online's fate, though historically multiplayer modes have launched post-singleplayer release. The article speculates on potential models for a new online service, including standalone releases or subscription expansions.
Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders begin at midnight, there's no disc in the box, and physical editions are going out five days early
Rockstar Games has announced that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 will begin on June 25th, with physical editions shipping five days early on November 12th. These physical editions will not contain discs but will instead include a download code, allowing for pre-downloading alongside digital purchases. Two versions, Standard and Ultimate, will be available, with the Ultimate Edition offering exclusive vehicles, weapons, and apparel, plus an upgrade option. Early purchasers will also receive a Vintage Vice City Pack.
Xbox vs PC: How Gamer Preferences Are Changing
The traditional rivalry between Xbox and PC gaming is evolving, with factors like accessibility, subscription services, cloud gaming, and cross-platform play becoming more influential than raw performance. While PC gaming offers flexibility and customization, especially for competitive play and esports, Xbox appeals through its simplicity, affordability, and integrated ecosystem. Both platforms are adapting to changing consumer expectations, potentially blurring the lines between console and PC gaming in the future.
These Are The XBOX Game Pass Games Everyone’s Playing Right Now
Xbox Game Pass offers a diverse library of popular games across various genres, including racing, horror, survival, and RPGs. Titles like Forza Horizon 6, Escape The Backrooms, Mixtape, Subnautica 2, and Echo Generation 2 are highlighted as current player favorites. The service's flexibility allows players to switch between different experiences on Xbox, PC, and via cloud gaming, making it an appealing option for discovering new games.
'Absolutely Terrible Idea': Nobody Likes Sony's New PS Plus Experiment
Sony is experimenting with a staggered release of PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium titles in the USA, UK, and Japan, a move that has been met with criticism from users. Instead of releasing all monthly games at once, they are now being spread out over several weeks, causing confusion and frustration regarding game availability by region. Sony has not provided an official reason for this change, stating only that they are exploring new delivery methods for the Game Catalog.
How to get the most out of your Apple TV+ subscription
This guide provides tips on how to maximize value from an Apple TV+ subscription. It suggests methods to potentially reduce the overall cost of the entertainment service.