Honestly, people are mostly* blaming the victim here. I used to adore playing Geoguessr years ago, but that came to an end when a subscription was needed to play it. That came about because Google started charging exorbitant prices for the Google Maps and Streetview API.
*Yeah, the other issues like lacking features and not using the subscription from the website are dumb, and shouldn’t have been a thing for the Steam release. But the core issue of the subscription? The fault for that lies squarely with Google…
So you install a “f2p” game, get ten rounds(which takes a few minutes) and then you have to subscribe to play anymore, and the only option is $30 for a year? And it’s missing features that are on the website version.
Yeah, that is deserved rating.
I get needing revenue stream but a subscription!?
My understanding is that Google charges for use of their API. The game could switch to a traditional flat price model, but the moment they stop making enough in sales to pay Google for API access, the entire game is dead for everyone.
The subscription sucks but it’s basically a requirement to continue running. Would be nice if there was any sort of open map standard with even half the street view data Google has so they wouldn’t need Google at all.
I just think it’s a really fucking tall order. I can’t imagine spending almost $30 a year for that
No arguments here. I used to love Geoguessr when it was 100% free, but have never once paid for it since they switched to a subscription model. I just blame Google more than Geoguessr is all.
You don’t slave over Geuguessr like some sort of MMORPG?
It’s why I never got into it even though it’s fun. Long before Steam they’ve had a subscription which is supposedly justified due to Google charging for their API or whatever.
Makes sense I guess? It’s not like they can do anything about that cost.
Did this happen because of Google API pricing changes?
The pricing changes happened years ago. This is about the game being F2P but nothing can actually be done without paying, and subscriptions from the Web version don’t grant access to the Steam game.
Regardless of the game, there was a recent change that went into effect on March 1.
Currently marked as “Overwhelmingly negative” with 17% positive reviews.
If only the iOS version got the same response.
Apple users like wasting money
