Churn is inevitable with any subscription service.
The trick is creating just enough value and exclusive content/services that you feel like you’re gonna miss out if you leave. But not too much.
I haven’t seen any incentive to stay with any specific game subscription service via exclusive content or services. But I do see plenty of attempts to lock people into services with shitty tactics. Like forcing save data to the cloud. Good luck moving that saved file to your own personal copy of the game. Or multiple tiered service options with features/games locked behind more expensive options.
Sims 4 released in 2014. They had plenty of time to address bugs in-between the millions of stupid updates, but they didn’t bother. Who honestly expects any real work from these guys at this point?
I could also see a database being used to coordinate game ownership with a fraction of the power usage. But neither will happen because consumers always get the raw end of the deal and nothing will ever be done to their benefit without being forced.
it looks like you’d wail on one enemy for 3 minutes until it gives out.
Oh you’ll wail a lot longer than that in some cases. Some of the summon boss fights took like 30~45 mins of wailing. And yes. The RPG elements are non existent, and the side quests are incredibly shallow and boring. You are spot on. No status effects, no elemental affinities, absolutely minimal equipment and weapon systems which amount to basically making a single number go up. It was honestly embarrassing as far as gameplay goes.