Hard on the heels of the announcement of Apple Arcade and Amazon Prime's free mobile rewards, Google just rolled out the Google Play Pass. Available staring September 23rd, the Play Pass looks like an incredible deal on the surface. Play Pass gives phone game enthusiasts access to many paid apps and games for one low monthly price, but is Google Play Pass all it's cracked up to be?
What is Google Play Pass?
With the Play Pass monthly subscription, consumers gain access to a massive list of paid play games and apps, like the KOTOR. It also removes ads and some or all micro-transactions, and one subscription gives up to five phones or other Android devices access to the Play Pass. Like the Apple Arcade competition, Google Play Pass is $4.99 per month. However, there's currently a sale that gives consumers the first year for $1.99 a month and a 10-day free trial.
To get the Play Pass, customers will need a device with Android version 4.4 or higher that has a Play Store app version 16.6.25 or above. It is only available currently in the US. However, the Play Pass information site states: "Stay tuned for international availability," which hopefully will lead to more countries being included soon.
What Games and Apps Are Included?
While many of the biggest names in apps probably won't be included, like the new Mario Kart Tour mobile game, the subscription does include a pretty impressive list of apps. LIMBO, Star Wars: KOTOR, Stardew Valley, and Terraria, for example, are all part of the Play Pass. It also includes a number of paid apps like Dictionary.com Premium, Luci, some photo editing software, and Slow Motion Video FX.
Pros of the Google Play Pass
Google Play Pass is a great deal. KOTOR by itself is $9.99 in the app store, so it pays for itself almost immediately. For only $1.99 for the first 12 months, players get to play tons of top-tier games and use amazing apps. Even the $4.99 a month is still awesome if players share subscriptions and use lots of apps. While most big-name games probably won't be included, like the new Call of Duty mobile game, the games included are worth the small monthly cost.
Depending on how many devs get involved in this new venture, Google Play Pass many even continue to be a great deal in the months and years to come. As long as Google continues to add great games and apps (like perhaps the GTA3 mobile game?), many consumers will continue to keep their subscription going.
The Play Pass also combs through all the fat and presents some great games without the ads or the sneaky microtransactions, like the loot boxes that cause so much backlash in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. Almost everything available through the Play Pass is going to be a good time and worth the monthly subscription.
Cons of Google Play Pass
There are some downsides to the Play Pass. One, if a consumer has an Apple device, they are going to be out of luck. Obviously, this won't be available on any non-Android devices, so it will be limited to the people who already have one or are willing to shell out for one. Also, the games will no longer be available once the subscription is cancelled. It's sort of like a Netflix for phone games and apps. Depending on how many games someone plays or if they don't currently spend any money on apps, which is entirely possible to do, perhaps signing up for this isn't a good deal for them.
While there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of downsides for customers, there's a lot of questions about how this will hurt devs. Since devs always seems to get the short end of the stick (like with Steam revenue split and others), this should be a real consideration for players, as this could represent a major shake-up. The Play Pass website promises devs a "royalty that is based on algorithmic methods that incorporate signals which capture how users value all types of content." These royalties are also subject to change.
Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass?
Millions of people play mobile games; for example, over a hundred million people played the Pokemon Go World Tour Event. It's no surprise that both Apple and Android are trying to grow by offering subscription services, but which is better? That depends. For those who already have the hardware, they'll want to stick to the company that their phones are already compatible with. Picking up the new iPhone just to grab Apple Arcade is a terrible idea or vise versa.
While neither allow players to stream games, Apple Arcade has a whole selection of unique games that aren't available any other way. This means there's no way to buy them any other way, which can be rough consumers. Apple also doesn't currently have any deals going on. If players have a choice, the best seems to be Play Pass.
Conclusion
Is Google Play Pass worth it? For most users, the answer is no.
Only about 5% of users spend real money on mobile games. Getting the other 95% spending is what seems to be motivating Google and Apple to try out this subscription formula. While the first 12 months for $1.99 is an awesome deal for people who want to play these games anyway, most people probably won't get $4.99 a month worth out of it; much like the expensive Mario Kart Tour subscription, it just doesn't seem to be worth the price for most. Overall, it seems like a good choice for those who already spend money on games, but that's about it.