Shuhei Yoshida, the former head of PlayStation, has raised concerns about the potential negative impact of gaming subscription services on smaller studios. While he acknowledges the advantages of these services, he warns that they might overshadow indie developers, making it harder for them to gain visibility.
Recently, Yoshida expressed his excitement for the game “Baby Steps,” naming it his most anticipated title for 2025. In a discussion at Gamescom LATAM, Yoshida highlighted a significant issue with the subscription model: reliance on major first-party titles to attract users may hinder smaller studios from breaking into the market.
He stated, “If the only way for people to play games is through subscriptions, that’s really dangerous.” This reliance could dictate the types of games that get created based on the priorities of the subscription service providers.
Although Yoshida appreciates the value that PlayStation Plus brings by offering older titles that may have been missed by gamers, he also commends Microsoft for its successful implementation of Xbox Game Pass and its focus on backward compatibility. Yoshida’s passion for indie games is well-known, and his worries reflect a broader concern for the industry’s creative diversity.
He recently predicted success for upcoming indie titles, underscoring the importance of giving space for innovative, smaller games alongside blockbuster releases. As the gaming landscape evolves, Yoshida believes that both ambitious indie projects and major AAA titles need room to flourish for the industry to progress meaningfully.
Amidst major PlayStation releases scheduled for 2025, like “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach,” Yoshida’s excitement for “Baby Steps” stands out. The game promises to deliver a unique humorous experience, focusing on coordinating movement through challenging terrain.
This title, along with others, points to the ongoing evolution of gaming as a medium for creativity and innovation.