Jun 3, 20233 min read

Zelda Reminded Me To Cancel Xbox GamePass

Zelda Reminded Me To Cancel Xbox GamePass... Yeah. You read that correctly. In the ever-evolving world of digital media and entertainment, subscription services have rapidly established their stronghold. Microsoft's Xbox GamePass service, often touted as the 'Netflix for video games,' has brought a transformative change to the way we consume video games. It offers a dizzying array of benefits with a vast, rotating library of hundreds of games available for a monthly subscription fee. However, it is the very plethora of options, ironically, that led me to cancel my Xbox GamePass subscription recently. It's not that I found the service wanting or lacking, quite the contrary. The issue lies elsewhere. I simply couldn't justify the time required to make the most out of this service.

There's no denying that the value proposition offered by Xbox GamePass is substantial. With a smorgasbord of games on offer from AAA to indie, catering to every conceivable taste and genre, the service is a veritable paradise for avid gamers. Yet, this constant influx of new content became more of a burden than a boon to me. I started to feel a mounting pressure to dedicate consistent blocks of time to gaming in order to justify the monthly subscription fee, a stress that sapped the joy from one of my most beloved hobbies.

Gaming, for me, is a means of escapism and relaxation. It's a way to unwind after a hard day's work, an opportunity to immerse myself in a different world, at my pace and on my terms. I discovered that I relished the freedom to delve deep into a game, unhurried by the nagging thought of needing to move on to the next game in my ever-expanding GamePass list to get my money's worth. And thus, I realized the service was dictating my gaming habits, rather than accommodating them.

I appreciate holding a physical game in my hands, where I could simply pick up a game and lose myself in it without feeling rushed or pressured. The sense of ownership that comes with physical media, the tactile joy of unwrapping a new game and the satisfaction of seeing my collection on the shelf, seemed to triumph over the transient availability of games on the GamePass.

Reverting to physical media rekindled my love for gaming. I found myself absolutely consumed by The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The rich, expansive world, the complex and engaging gameplay, the sheer depth and breadth of content have kept me hooked, and I don't foresee an end in sight. I look forward to delving into "Pikmin 4" and returning to the majestic world of "God of War: Ragnarok". And of course, "Octopath Traveler 2" is sitting on my shelf, patiently waiting its turn.

Xbox GamePass undeniably represents a new frontier in gaming, my experience has reaffirmed the timeless appeal of the traditional sales avenue. Both Nintendo and Sony have proven that there's still a place for the classic model of selling individual games. There's a certain sense of commitment and attachment formed when a game is bought individually. You tend to invest your time and attention more deeply, experiencing the game in a way that's hard to replicate with a subscription service.

While Xbox GamePass and similar services offer a dazzling array of choices and tremendous potential for discovering new games, they may not be the perfect fit for everyone. There is definitely a time and place for such services, but they can inadvertently create a stress-inducing schedule of constant consumption. At the end of the day, how you choose to game should align with your preferences and lifestyle. For me, the charm of owning and enjoying games at my own pace, without the pressure of 'optimizing'. At least... for now.

~Smash