With this service, Android device users can use more than 350 apps and games without ads and in-app purchases.
Editor’s note: This article is from “Tencent Technology“, review: Cheng Hey.
Google and Apple are the operators of the world’s two major smartphone operating systems. The two companies each have a monopoly of Google Software Store and Apple Software Store. According to the latest news from foreign media, the business model of mobile software stores is undergoing some changes. On September 23, Google announced that it will launch the software membership service “Google Play Pass”. With this service, Android device users can use more than 350 apps and games without ads and in-app purchases.
According to foreign media reports, Google’s software membership service is priced at $4.99 a month, similar to Apple’s game software member “Apple Arcade.” The latter is a game membership service provided by the iPhone manufacturer for mobile devices and desktop computers. However, the content of Google software members is not limited to game software.
Google Inc. said in a blog post that Google’s software membership service will be launched on Android devices in the US this week and will soon be available in other countries and regions.
In addition, the software that members receive for monthly payments is not static. This service adds new apps and games every month. For new users, Member Services offers a 10-day free trial period.
In addition, Google has introduced a promotional measure that will cost $1.99 a month for a limited period of time.
Of course, consumers can also choose to download content from the Google Software Store using the traditional model without choosing a Google software member. In addition to free software, users are free to choose a large number of paid game software, and some single software has launched the membership mode, and only need to renew members to continue to use.
However, in terms of game software, Google software members are relatively affordable to consumers. For example, if the user purchases the game “Old Man’s Journey” separately, it will pay $5.
In addition, Google and Apple’s software membership models have something in common with the selected software.And game products have been carefully selected and reviewed. According to reports, only software developers who have been invited can participate in Google’s software membership service.
Member mode is popular
It is well known that in the field of application software, the monthly membership method is gradually replacing the past one-time purchase model. The most typical is the software giant Microsoft. In the past, Office software was a one-time sale. Enterprises or consumers need to re-pay for a major upgrade every few years. Today, users are using the Office Software Membership Service, which provides follow-up free upgrades and additional perimeter services.
In terms of game software members, in addition to Apple’s new services, users of Microsoft Xbox game consoles have been able to use the member service “Xbox Game Pass” in the past.
According to foreign media reports, the global game industry has turned to the monthly membership model, whether it is your quarterly membership in single-player games such as PUBG, or the “full” tariffs such as Xbox Games Pass Ultimate, and of course the release last week. Apple Arcade.
Apple’s gaming membership service currently has more than 100 games, but only 14 were released.
This monthly membership service is an important change in the mobile game market. Technology market research firm Newzoo estimates that by the end of 2019, the mobile game market will reach $68.5 billion. Free games with in-app trading dominate mobile games, while paid games—especially those from independent developers and studios—are hard to find a sustainable niche market.
With Apple Game Members and Google’s Software Membership Services, you can make this type of game stand out in this cruel market and benefit developers.