Subscription Services
Ongoing coverage on Subscription Services.
Latest coverage
The Subscription Audit Gap: $3,000/Year Unwatched | TAG
This article highlights the significant financial burden of multiple gaming subscription services, estimating annual costs between $1,000 and $3,000 per consumer. It contrasts this with the ongoing instability and layoffs within the gaming industry, such as Embracer Group's struggles and publisher-wide redundancies, suggesting a lack of consumer-facing accountability in the current business model.
Xbox Game Pass Loses These Five Games In June
Five games are set to leave Xbox Game Pass on June 15th: Jurassic World Evolution 2, Lost in Random, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. Subscribers have until this date to play these titles on cloud, console, and PC, with options to purchase them at a discount before they are removed.
Claude AI: What's free in 2026 and what isn't?
This article discusses the evolving free tier offerings of Claude AI, developed by Anthropic. It highlights the ambiguity of current limits and suggests that users should be aware of potential changes to what features remain accessible without a subscription in the future.
Games Leaving PS Plus in July 2026 May Include Beloved RPG
Sony is expected to announce the list of games leaving PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium in July 2026. Based on past patterns, titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition are predicted to depart the service.
PS Plus 2026 Games Revealed Early, Includes Big Day-1 Surprise
Sony revealed four PlayStation Plus games for 2026, including the MMORPG RuneScape Dragonwilds launching day-one on PlayStation 5 for Extra subscribers. Additionally, three PS2 classics—Gitaroo Man, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, and Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams—will be available for Premium members and for separate purchase.
New PlayStation Classics Are Gitaroo Man and Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams
Sony announced new additions to its PlayStation Classics library, including Gitaroo Man, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, and Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams, all launching on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in June, July, and August 2026 respectively. These titles will be available to Premium-tier subscribers and for individual purchase.
These 3 Classic PS2 Games Are Coming to PS5 via PS Plus Premium Soon
Sony is adding three classic PlayStation 2 titles to its PlayStation Plus Premium subscription service: Gitaroo Man on June 16, 2026, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy on July 28, 2026, and Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams on August 25, 2026. These additions continue Sony's trend of releasing one retro game per month for the service.
Amazon Prime Members Get 15 Games For Free In June And A New He-Man Adventure
Amazon Prime members can claim 15 free games in June through Amazon Luna, including the exclusive new Masters of the Universe: Legends Unite adventure. Additionally, Prime subscribers can stream titles like Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition and Mega Man 11. Downloadable games available this month include remastered Tomb Raider adventures, Mafia 3: Definitive Edition, and XCOM: Chimera Squad.
Amazon Prime Members Can See The New Spider-Man Movie Before Everyone Else
Amazon Prime members in the US can purchase tickets to see the new Spider-Man movie, Brand New Day, two days before its official release on July 31. This promotion, part of a partnership with Fandango, allows early access starting July 29 in select theaters while supplies last. The film continues Tom Holland's portrayal of Spider-Man, exploring a world where his identity is forgotten.
PS5 First-Party Sales Have Fallen Sharply, But It Doesn't Tell the Full Story
A report analyzing Sony's first-party game sales on PlayStation 5 reveals a significant drop in unit sales since FY20. However, the article argues this decline is influenced by factors such as increased game prices, fewer releases, the end of indie publishing, reduced discounting, the introduction of PS Plus Extra, and shifts in player behavior towards evergreen titles.
FIFA Is Launching Its Own Video Game to Compete With EA and It’s a Netflix Exclusive
FIFA has partnered with Netflix to launch a new football simulation game in summer 2026, developed by Delphi Interactive. This title will be exclusively available to Netflix subscribers on mobile devices and select smart TVs, marking a departure from traditional console and PC releases. The move comes after FIFA's partnership with Electronic Arts ended, with EA rebranding its football series as EA Sports FC.
June 2026 PS Plus Essential Games Available to Download Now
The PlayStation Plus Essential games for June 2026 are now available for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 owners. This month's lineup includes Grounded Fully Yoked Edition, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. Additionally, FC 26's availability has been extended until June 16th. Despite the new additions, player reception to the June lineup is largely negative, following recent price increases for the PlayStation Plus service.
PS Plus Essential June 2026 Monthly Free Games Rolling Out Now
The PlayStation Plus Essential monthly free games for June 2026 are now available, starting in Japan and Asia. Subscribers can claim Grounded Fully Yoked Edition, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. EA Sports FC 26 has been extended as a bonus offer until June 16.
Donkey Kong, Mario vs. Donkey Kong icons added to Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo has added new icons for Donkey Kong and Mario vs. Donkey Kong to Nintendo Switch Online. Players can redeem these icons using Platinum Points on My Nintendo, with access requiring specific game boots and, for Mario vs. Donkey Kong, the Expansion Pack tier of the service. The icons will be available until July 6, 2026.
Game Pass Ultimate Codes: How To Find, Redeem, And Stay Safe In 2026
This guide explains how to find, redeem, and safely use Game Pass Ultimate codes, which provide access to Xbox Game Pass, EA Play, cloud gaming, and multiplayer features. It details legitimate sources for codes, common redemption errors, and tips to maximize value while protecting your account through security measures like two-step verification and avoiding suspicious sellers.
How To Get Free Xbox Game Pass Codes: Legit Methods, Safety Tips, And Tricks For 2026
This guide details legitimate methods for obtaining free Xbox Game Pass codes, focusing on official Microsoft promotions, retail bundles, and loyalty programs. It also provides safety tips to avoid scams, such as avoiding sites that request passwords or payments, and advises on how to maximize trial periods and family sharing for extended access.
5 Fitness Trackers That Don't Lock Core Features Behind a Monthly Subscription
This article discusses fitness trackers that offer core features without requiring a monthly subscription. It highlights the Fitbit Air as an example of a device that provides a viable alternative to subscription-based models like Whoop.
Xbox CEO cautiously praises Game Pass price cut feedback, calling it 'a good first step'
Xbox CEO cautiously praised feedback regarding a Game Pass price cut, calling it a positive initial step. While subscriber growth and player retention have improved, the company is still working on a strategy for sustainable long-term growth.
Game Pass success story: It turns out that when you make things cheaper, more people will buy them
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma indicated that reducing the price of Game Pass has led to improved subscriber acquisition and retention, reversing a trend of slowing growth and accelerated subscriber loss following a significant price hike in October 2025. While the price reduction is seen as a positive first step, Sharma acknowledged that restoring durable growth will require ongoing effort, with potential future strategies including an ad-supported tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Xbox CEO says it's already seeing positive impacts following Game Pass price cuts
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that recent price cuts to Game Pass are already showing positive results, with increased acquisitions and improved retention. She also discussed the strategic shift back to the 'Xbox' branding and the future evolution of Game Pass into a more flexible system. Separately, Arc Raiders won multiple awards at the Nordic Game Awards, including Game of the Year, Best Technology, and Best Audio.
