PC Gaming Subscriptions - Best Deals and Advice?

LRahRahRand on 28/01/2022 - 23:27
Last edited 28/01/2022 - 23:56

Hello

TL : DR - Minimum I'd love to know the best deals on PC Subscription services and which services are the best in general?
Granted, it is a loooong thread - but there's lots to cover for a newbie at this like me - and I'd really appreciate it if you have time to take a look.
Failing that - if it is too long - maybe just give me whatever golden nuggets you'd suggest might be helpful regarding these PC Subscriptions?

BTW - I did include more spaced out paragraphs but it ripped out the formatting - how do I prevent this in future?

I'm interested in trying some PC Game Subscription services and would really love some advice!

I've never used anything like this on PC or console so I have no firsthand experience.

Please keep in mind I've not gamed for 5-10 years so there are some things you might find obvious that I don't even know about ok!
Never had consoles since my old Super Nintendo either.

First of all - can you help me out with suggesting any good ones that I have not listed below as I probably don't know them all?

PC Gaming Subscription Services

Ubisoft + for PC
Origin + EA for PC
Microsoft Xbox for PC
Playstation for PC
Humble Choice (though I'm less interested in this one compared to the others)

What others ????? Please suggest them as I just don't know this stuff?

I know there are websites where you can put in a TV show or movie and it'll spit out a list of Streaming services you can use to watch them on. Is there anything like that for PC Subscription Games?

Or at least some master lists for different services to make it easier to find where to play something if anywhere?

Are there any good Promo codes or ways to get discounts when paying/joining these services?

I've seen this XBOX deal…. I'm curious about trying it but I am a little nervous i'll get ripped off?
BTW I've never had an Xbox account.

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/679798

Can't use paypal don't want to give my number etc when buying something like this?

Could maybe use a Prepaid Visa Debit like the ONLYOne or Vanilla Prepaid Visa Debit cards you buy in Aus supermarkets?
Can you ever get your money refunded by these particular kind of Prepaid cards by VISA/the card company if they try to rip you off?

If anyone has any advice on issues they faced trying to use that deal (and the previous expired one) - please let me know as I'm a little anxious about trying it!

If you got something like the Xbox PC Subscription…. can you only use the Aussie version if not using a VPN?
Or is it like this - if you have an Xbox PC Subscription - … you 'have an Xbox PC Subscription' and you can use any Xbox games list from any countries site eg use the american assuming it has more/better games?

Do the Aussie versions of PC Subscription services (for Xbox and others too) always end up being crappier versions with less bonus' and less good games?

I've wondered about buying some PC Subscriptions kind of like this using a VPN from different countries overseas whether it's the US or somewhere where it's cheaper - but I'm a little unsure how it'd work?

In what scenarios would you ALWAYS need a VPN after you purchase it - every time you play your games?
And are there some scenarios where you never need it, some where you only need it when online, and some when playing solo campaigns or some for everything?

I assume if I'm playing the Solo Campaigns - in general it wouldn't matter if I had a VPN on as you won't really need the internet to game (or am I wrong?)
If you do get a service that requires VPN when playing online games - wouldn't that make it unusable from Aus as our ping is too high? (I have 100mbs which averages at 75-85 at least if not up to 115+ sometimes - ping generally 20-35)

I've been playing America's Army recently with my new PC and I can get as low 20 but often have to play on servers up to 250/300ish and that seems ok?

Or can you only ever use a PC Subscription service without VPN if you want to play online - so it would need to be the official Australian version?

Do most/all the other PC Subscription services have the proper PC versions with RT and DLSS and NOT Ports?

BTW on a side note - if you buy game keys for Steam, Origin whatever… like cheap 3rd world keys like Russia or whatever.
Can Steam etc ban you if they find out? Has anyone had any problems with that stuff?

I've heard someone say that the Playstation PC Subscription is awful because you don't really play the PC versions off your computer - they claimed you play a 'streamed' version - that can also have Ray Tracing and DLSS etc removed? That can't be true can it?

I have just bought a killer new PC with a 3070 TI and that's exactly the kind of thing I want to play (RT + DLSS - nice looking AAA games)

I would also really love to hear what you guys and your mates think about the PC Games services that you have tried (and can you list when and how long you tried it for).

Have you guys found it worked out financially to use these kind of services compared to buying things on sale (to own)?

Are there any real drawbacks to using these services - eg things disappear without notice or they don't have proper cloud save games etc?

Tell me what was good, bad and interesting about them. Whether I should definitely get it or avoid it like the plague? But please remember I'm only interested in PC gaming Services.

Also can you tell me if some services have really bad ports?
Is there anyway to check some lists/sites online to see if PC Game "X" is a Ports (and whether it's Good or Bad?).

I have a new Windows 11 Pro build with a 12700K, 32GB, NVME's, 3070 Ti OC etc.

I like all sorts of games - but keep in mind I've not gamed for like 5-10 years so I'm pretty out of the loop (eg some old references).

Things I like, different Games series' like Far Cry, Tomb Raider 2013 Reboot series, Crysis, Bioshock, Portal, Modern Wolfenstein + Doom series, Deus Ex and Hitman look good?

I prefer Solo Campaigns most of all, but also really enjoy online gaming especially FPS like America's Army, Insurgent and I imagine Battlefield and COD series etc.

I'm looking forward to the Assassin's Creed type open world/Far Cry-esque adventure/explorer/walk and talk type stuff and other similar/tangentially related games like Skyrim etc?

Death Stranding, Days Gone, stuff like that look fun?

Cyberpunk, Watch Dogs?, Racing Games, puzzler games, 2D side scrollers/platformers, Indie.

You get the idea.

I'm particularly keen to play big epic AAA games that look amazing with/out RT/DLSS etc as I'm jumping from a 7970 to a 3070 Ti OC and I'm really keen to see what I've been missing!

So by all means please give me a list of the most beautiful games that actually have great gameplay too!

I assume I'll try out one PC Game Subscription service each month for a while and see what they're like?

So yeah - any other advice you can give would be awesome

Thank you for your help!

• 

  Thiefsie on 28/01/2022 - 23:49

  +4

  Just get MS Game Pass Ultimate. Nothing else is close. It includes EA. They just bought Activision so their games will be joining the lineup just like Bethesda's… With some VPN trickery (look up the deal on here) you can get 3 years for <$150 (as opposed to $16/mnth retail).

  If you must, just do one month for $1 first to trial it.

  No other answer is valid.

  edited for more info:

  Cloud gaming isn't too good yet, latency is too high - probably more a problem for Australia as not many data centres here for those services (such as Stadia???). Gamepass Ultimate has a cloud gaming service included.

  Play Control, Doom Eternal (or 2016), Halo, Hitman, Outer Wilds, Wolfenstein etc. Don't forget Prey/Dishonored, Ori, Forza, Minecraft RTX, Apex, Mass Effect Trilogy, Titanfall 2, Forgotten City, Psychonauts 2, Spelunky, and on and on.

  Also get an Epic login and get the free games every week on Friday morning.

  If you have Amazon Prime don't forget about their free games every month too via Twitch.

  Also try Cyberpunk, Horizon and God of War, Metro Exodus and maybe some Ass Creeds, GTAV, Red Dead 2, Witcher 3, (not on Gamepass).

  Then try VR as it's fantastic if you have the bones and space for it. Alyx, Boneworks, Walking Dead S&S, Pistolwhip, all excellent. Just get a Meta Quest 2 and wirelessly tether to it for PC Gaming.

  Lastly it's pretty easy to emulate Switch games (such as Breath of the Wild) at way better quality than on the Switch itself so Nintendo is open to you as well with dodginess.

  • 

    RahRahRand on 29/01/2022 - 02:04

    The Amazon Prime thing - do you have an American account or Aus?
    Are we talking proper PC Games or just android? Can you give me some examples they've given away that are good?
    I thought they only gave you free DLC and stuff like that - had no actual games library?

    I've never played Mass Effect but heard there is a remastered trilogy. Does that still stand up as a good game for someone new to it who has no nostalgia glow? And should i do the remastered one or originals?

    I literally just read that Ubisoft+ is coming to Xbox Subscription in the near future - although it sounds like it will be an add on you can choose to pay extra for?

    Ubisoft+ says it has cloud gaming… but I can't quite find out if that means that's an extra way to play it if you choose? As opposed to that's the only way?

    So you can play all their games as proper PC versions OR stream it via cloud gaming to your phone or TV?

    And does that stream from you PC like Steams Big Picture or whatever it's called or is it that crappy slow 'all from online' gaming you mentioned?

    Just wondering with Assassin's Creed Odyssey - I'm generally only interested in DLC or extra content if it includes proper playable levels in Solo or at least a really decent Multiplayer online map only if it actually has a thriving community of players…. With that in mind - if I buy this game outright - do you think it's worth paying extra to get a version with the Season Pass or is it just a tiny amount of gameplay that's no good?

    Are there any PC Subscription service that have things like Red Dead 1 and/or 2, Cyberpunk, Death Stranding, Days Gone etc?

• 

  Hybroid on 28/01/2022 - 23:50

  +1

  Way too much to read. At the end of the day it depends on what games you want to play yourself. No point getting subjective views suggesting you something that doesn't suit. Try them all for a month and see what you prefer.

• 

  RahRahRand on 28/01/2022 - 23:52

  Hi @Thiefsie (is that the way to do it here?)

  Out of curiousity - don't all Xbox PC Passes include access to EA Games - not just the ultimate?

  Just asking this in general - as I don't have an xbox console as well… wouldn't it be pointless and more expensive getting the Ultimate pass usually - unless the bargain deal requires it? There's no other benefits for PC Gamers vs the cheaper normal pass is there?

  Have you tried the deal yourself?

  Thank you

  • 

    Thiefsie on 29/01/2022 - 00:01

    You can reply to a post directly.

    GPU is reliant on the deal which basically involves getting a different regions XBOX Live Gold and upgrading it to GPU for free. Using the $1 trial only means you have to pay $16 instead of $1 for the process.

    The GPU upgrade deal is cheaper than GP for PC only, and who knows - you might get an Xbox one day.

    Get a controller - just get an Xbox one.

    Play games, try what you like… don't pontificate, just enjoy.

    GPU makes pontificating a waste of time. Just try stuff.

    Eventually GPU might hurt the industry but at the moment it is momentus value.

    • 

      RahRahRand on 29/01/2022 - 00:08

      ah - direct reply - thanks

      I have a wired MX xbox controller for PC - I assume that'll work almost as well? It's brand new - forgot to use it lol.

      I'd still love to know about the stuff I asked you - in general (eg not just relating to this deal)?

      Thank you for the reply

      • 

        Thiefsie on 29/01/2022 - 00:19

        Wired Xbox controller is perfectly fine.

        VPN not required for ongoing gaming. Only needed to get the alternate region deal for GPU pricing at time of purchase. A free Chrome plugin does the job.

        If you must require extra safety on payment just use Revolut or the like. I'll refer you for some free $$$ if you like. Otherwise vanilla CC is about as safe as you can get, perhaps Paypal depending on the shop (which is probably CC paid anyway.

        AFAIK GPU is not really region controlled so games are basically the same worldwide on the service.

        I've done the 3 year GPU deal no problem - just follow the instructions and check the subscription end date before you upgrade to GPU.

        • 

          RahRahRand on 29/01/2022 - 01:48

          @Thiefsie: So I've never played any Assassin's Creed games yet - but it looks like Odyssey is the most popular recent one that I might try?

          I've heard people spend between 40 and hundreds of hours on it.

          For certain types of games like that (in particular I assume open world and/or grind games)… is it smarter to just buy them for $20-30 when on sale even if on Subscription and then use that other free time playing games on subscription that are too exxy to buy out right?

          If you start playing a game on a Subscription, but then stop the subscription - do you lose all your game progress etc forever on that service - and more importantly - if you buy a copy later via as a stand alone key either by that developer or another company platform (all on PC though) can you resurrect your gameplay/stats?

          These are the complications I'm really unsure about?

          Can you explain to me what exactly Revolt is and why you mentioned it? I had a look but it's pretty vague?

          BTW you mentioned VPN's… I gave in and got NordVPN a year ago - got a 3 year pass and honestly it shocks me how good it is. I have 100 mb internet and most the time it doesn't slow it down at all. Did not expect that!

          It will come in handy for things like this deal - but I mainly use it for torrents and streaming foreign tv etc.

          However, when I've finished that I might consider just spending the same $4-5 a month on something like Bitdefender Total Security to get all my AV type needs covered with their vpn for the same price I'm paying now just for Nord. That's assuming their VPN is any good.. Might want to check them both out with trials?

• 

  RahRahRand on 28/01/2022 - 23:53

  @Hybroid

  yep - you're right - super long!

  However, scan down and you'll see a list of the kind of games I'm interested in.

  I'd still really love to know about when you can, can't, and really shouldn't use VPNs in different scenarios?

  But if i I do try them out for a month - won't that cause problems and some times prevent or delay me being able to sign up to deals like this one?

  cheers

  • 

    Thiefsie on 29/01/2022 - 00:32

    I like all sorts of games - but keep in mind I've not gamed for like 5-10 years so I'm pretty out of the loop (eg some old references).
    Things I like, different Games series' like Far Cry, Tomb Raider 2013 Reboot series, Crysis, Bioshock, Portal, Modern Wolfenstein + Doom series, Deus Ex and Hitman look good?
    I prefer Solo Campaigns most of all, but also really enjoy online gaming especially FPS like America's Army, Insurgent and I imagine Battlefield and COD series etc.
    I'm looking forward to the Assassin's Creed type open world/Far Cry-esque adventure/explorer/walk and talk type stuff and other similar/tangentially related games like Skyrim etc?
    Death Stranding, Days Gone, stuff like that look fun?
    Cyberpunk, Watch Dogs?, Racing Games, puzzler games, 2D side scrollers/platformers, Indie.

    You've basically named every genre except card games and MMOs and maybe MOBAs, flight sims and Strategy.

    Just get GPU, look at my list of games above which is heavily skewed towards FPS/Action and go from there. There's a shitload of game of the year lists out now for 2021. Peruse those.

    Otherwise if you want realistic multiplayer like Americas Army, it's sort of old-fashioned now. Everyone's basically migrating to free to play like CS:Go, Apex, PUBG, Warzone, Halo and so on with only more niche, realistic titles gaining some popularity. Guess the average gamer doesn't have the patience for round-based games online anymore.
    Have a look at Arma III.
    Have a look at Rainbow 6: Siege

    • 

      RahRahRand on 29/01/2022 - 02:14

      Thanks for the games list - yeah most of that is stuff that i've been thinking about trying.

      I get the feeling the kind of fps online you mentioned like this 'CS:Go, Apex, PUBG, Warzone, Halo' are they mostly all like cs go where it doesn't look very good so its super fast?

      I assume most of these are going to be no fun for me if I'm up against 'competitive fps gamers' with the lowest crappiest settings to get the highest fps on 1080p?

      Won't it be impossible to try to play against them? And is it any fun when it all looks like crap?
      Again - maybe I'm totally wrong in my assumptions but these games that I've seen just look awful and so simplistic eg fortnite etc.

      Does Arma II still hold up by todays standards? I've never played it but know it's getting on? It's one I wanted to try back in the day?

      Yeah the Rainbow 6 and things like it look interesting.

• 

  Sammy Boi on 29/01/2022 - 01:01

  +1

  Game pass for PC or game pass ultimate

• 

  AlienC on 31/01/2022 - 00:43

  HB Choice and Prime Gaming are for keeps.. you get these for life even when you are 85 years old and can't use a pc anymore.

  I recommend just using promos and trials until you find the one for you.