All articles tagged with #paywall
Free YouTube Music users can view lyrics for up to five songs per month; beyond that, lyrics are blurred and a prompt to unlock with Premium appears, signaling a broader rollout after earlier testing.
Bethesda’s Fallout 76 introduces the Mojave Bundle—a cosmetic pack featuring Ranger Power Armor and other items—for $30, with no in‑game currency (Atoms) or Fallout 1st discounts. The price has sparked backlash since the base game costs under $10 and recent expansions have been free, continuing the ongoing debate over paid cosmetics in the Fallout 76 ecosystem.
Instapaper will charge for its Send to Kindle feature starting Feb 19, requiring a Premium subscription at $6 per month or $60 per year to keep sending digests to Kindle. The company says the service is server-intensive and costly. Kobo users will keep the feature for free via the API, while others can still opt for manual transfers (USB) or Amazon’s Send to Kindle extension as alternatives.
The rollout of Google's Gemini for Home smart device service has faced issues, including bugs, incorrect task responses, and features being locked behind a subscription paywall, leading to user frustration and a less than ideal experience compared to the mobile app, with Google needing to address these problems quickly.
The next Xbox is reportedly planning to eliminate the paywall for online multiplayer, potentially making PS6 the only upcoming console charging for online access via PS Plus, which could lead Sony to reconsider its online multiplayer policies.
Capcom announced that the upcoming Street Fighter 6 Capcom Cup finals will be a pay-per-view event, marking a departure from previous free broadcasts, which has left fans and the fighting game community puzzled and concerned about the impact on the game's reputation and accessibility.
The Chinese Room explains that two vampire clans in Bloodlines 2 are being sold as day-one DLC due to additional work and content expansion during development, despite fans expecting these features to be part of the base game. The decision appears driven more by monetization than development necessity, amidst ongoing changes and content additions to the game.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, set to release on October 21, will lock two of its six playable clans behind a $30 paid day-one DLC, which significantly impacts gameplay and player choices, sparking criticism over the cost and approach to game content.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, set to release on October 21, 2025, will require players to purchase additional DLC to access two of its six clans, Lasombra and Toreador, which could impact gameplay experience and cost. The game has faced development issues, and the reviewer suggests waiting to see how it evolves before buying.
Volkswagen is implementing a paywall to unlock full horsepower for the ID.3 in the UK, charging owners a fee for the upgrade, reflecting a broader industry trend of monetizing vehicle features through subscriptions and software restrictions, which raises concerns about ownership rights and consumer costs.
The BBC has introduced a paid subscription service for US visitors to BBC.com, charging $49.99 annually or $8.99 monthly for access to most news stories and streaming services, while maintaining free access to select content. This move aims to generate revenue to offset a budget deficit and is part of a broader strategy to reimagine content delivery in the US, with plans to expand offerings like documentaries and podcasts. UK audiences remain unaffected, and the initiative aligns with similar paywall models used by other media outlets.
BBC has introduced a paywall for US users on BBC.com, offering an $8.99/month or $49.99/year subscription that grants unlimited access to news articles, live streams, and upcoming exclusive content, while US users who do not subscribe can still access select news and radio streams for free. The paywall employs a dynamic model based on user engagement, and the service remains free for UK audiences. This move aims to boost international revenue and expand BBC's digital offerings in North America.
Rosanne Kincaid-Smith, COO at Northern Data Group, criticizes Google's consideration of putting AI search innovations behind a paywall, emphasizing the importance of democratizing access to transformative AI technology. She believes that Google, as a dominant force in the search market, has a responsibility to manage AI ethics and data governance properly, ensuring that such advancements are accessible to the public without barriers.
Major League Soccer's 2024 plan to capitalize on Lionel Messi's presence includes putting matches behind a paywall, inciting a power struggle with the U.S. Soccer Federation, and facing criticism for locking out referees. The league's deal with Apple for global broadcast rights, while potentially lucrative, presents a barrier for many fans. The controversies and paywall are seen as missed opportunities to attract a wider audience and maximize Messi's impact on American soccer.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is facing backlash for locking its New Game Plus mode behind more expensive Deluxe and Ultimate editions, priced at $85/£75 and $110/£95 respectively, while the standard edition is available for $70/£60. This move has sparked criticism from fans and even one of the game's actors, Yong Yea, who voices a protagonist, has spoken out against the paywall, stating that New Game Plus should be a base feature or a free update. The developer and publisher have yet to respond to the backlash.