Xbox Game Pass Faces Scrutiny Amid Layoffs and Shifting Release Strategies
Former industry leaders question Xbox Game Pass's financial viability, linking its struggles to recent studio layoffs. Microsoft is adjusting its strategy, potentially delaying day-one releases for some first-party titles beyond Call of Duty. Industry veterans suggest reconsidering the service's future as costs rise and subscriber numbers remain a concern.
Coverage across 3 outlets
Xbox Game Pass isn’t "viable" with so few subscribers, says former Forza lead bracing for more…
Former Forza Horizon 5 director Mike Brown stated that Xbox Game Pass is not viable due to insufficient subscriber numbers, leading to recent studio layoffs. He believes the service's player-focused concept, while well-intentioned, has not met the necessary financial targets. Journalist Jason Schreier also noted that some Xbox studio leadership detest Game Pass, viewing it as detrimental to game value and the industry.
"The concept of [Xbox] Game Pass was good" despite its eventual faceplant now contributing to mass job losses, reckons Forza Horizon 5 director
Mike Brown, former creative director for Forza Horizon 5, believes the concept of Xbox Game Pass was fundamentally good, despite its current struggles leading to significant layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division. He suggests that while the service was a well-intentioned, player-focused idea, it failed to gain enough subscribers at the necessary price point to be financially viable. Brown also defended Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, acknowledging their roles in the Game Pass push while noting the harsh criticism they face on social media.
Xbox Game Pass Could Lose Other Day-One New Releases Beyond Call Of Duty, Expert Says
Microsoft has announced changes to Xbox Game Pass, including a price reduction and the removal of new Call of Duty titles from day-one releases. Analyst Piers Harding-Rolls suggests that other first-party games might also be "windowed" from day-one launches to generate more revenue. Future plans for Game Pass aim for increased flexibility, potentially including customizable subscription tiers.
Xbox Game Pass gets "grim prognosis" from former PlayStation CEO, new Xbox head Asha Sharma tells him they…
Former PlayStation CEO Shawn Layden suggested that Xbox should discontinue the Game Pass subscription service, citing its increasing cost. New Xbox lead Asha Sharma has expressed interest in discussing these concerns with industry veterans.
