When you want to play a new video game, you either cough up $60 (or $70) for a major release, buy something cheaper because it’s smaller or on sale, or dive into a free-to-play title that tries to get your money after downloading it. However, what if you want to play many games on a regular basis without outright purchasing titles that you aren’t sure you’ll like? That's where video game subscription services come in.
If you’ve ever used Hulu, Netflix, or one of countless other video streaming services, you understand the general concept. For a monthly fee, gaming subscription services let you play whatever you want from their catalogs without limits. Video games pose their own technical challenges that streaming video doesn’t have to deal with, but typically this works by letting you download games digitally and then revoking your access if your membership lapses.
An increasing number of publishers offer subscriptions as a new way to get ongoing revenue from loyal customers. All three major consoles offer subscriptions that even grant access to exciting first-party games. However, video game subscription services don’t always have the biggest libraries, and the games come and go over time. Plus, you have even less ownership over your games. If you want to purchase digital games instead of virtually renting them, opt for a video game marketplace like Epic Games Store or Steam.
Back in the day, renting games let you sample all sorts of cool titles without going broke. Video game subscription services carry on that legacy. With that in mind, here are the best video game subscription services we've tested.
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