The Microsoft Game Pass subscription is probably the best offer: for a fraction of the full game price you get access to hundreds of titles each month, some of which are completely novel. But when video games cost millions and news about studio layoffs are constant, you don’t have to look at the Xbox balance to know that the numbers do not add a service in which the price introducing is only a dollar. This dissonance is based on the last discussion about the social media website x, where Raphael ColantonioThe founder of Arkane Studios, spent the last few days, spreading why the service probably causes more harm than good.
“I think that GamePass is an unbalanced model that has been destroying the industry for a decade, subsidized by MS’s” infinite money “, but at some point reality must hit,” said Colantonio in response to the post from the observer. “I don’t think that GP can coexist with other models, either kill everyone or give up.”
According to Bloomberg’s report in 2024Microsoft spends a billion dollars a year to get other companies in your subscription service. This is, in addition to billions, which the creator of consoles spent on the acquisition of awning studies, such as Bethesda Softworks and Activision Blizzard.
For contrast, The latest numbers for users Set Tally to 35 million subscriptions of games, some of which include people who pay only the dollar or bought a subscription through one of the periodic sales. The service increased a year ago, which means that until recently Game Pass earned even less money than now. At the beginning, these numbers seem promising because they suggest that the service is growing. In 2022, Game Pass had 25 million subscribers. It is worth noting, however, that in 2023 Microsoft moved all existing Xbox Live Gold subscribers to a lower level of game subscription. That would suggest it Game Pass has actually lost subscribers Over the past few years, which coincides with the reception of Phil Spencer in 2022 that subscriptions leisurely down the console.
Although it may seem nonsense, this approach is a tried and real model in the world of technology. Services such as Uber, for example, spend years acting with loss until they capture the entire market. After blurring the competition, a given product can move freely in a way that can harm the consumer. Prices may rise, the service may get worse and so on – but at this point users are already relying on the service and there are no other profitable options. Similarly, while other companies tried their own versions of subscription models, none of them managed to gather, so far the userbase game card. What seems to be a good opportunity can actually be a ticking clock bomb.
Add the fact that people are Publishing much less on games in 2025 than last yearAnd that Microsoft has undergone many rounds of dismissals that closed all studies and released thousands of employees over the past year and begins to paint the ugly image of the industry, which is already in crisis. This is a disturbing trend that can illuminate, why they are publishers Greenlighting less games and taking less risk: The game can sell millions and the studio can still be closed. The very existence of Game Pass cuts these numberswhich could then motivate some studies to conclude contracts with the service to be secure. It is guaranteed money and visibility in connection with the shadowy uncertainty of releasing the game in the void.
Post Colantonio does not surprise the fuse in social media, in which developers and players merge. Some creations in the industry agree with Colantonio. “Infinite money never made sense,” answered Larian Studios Director of the publishing house Michael Doouse.
But for people on the other side of the equation – players – criticism of the game card has fallen poorly. Some answers to Post Colantonio have become ugly, but instead of presenting the real argument, the exchange has transformed into potshots. Some point out that Colantonio has worked on titles that are available in Game Pass. It certainly does not facilitate that these textual social media pushes the tone and facilitates dehumanization of a person on the other side of the exchange.
Despite this, Colantonio spent time, trying to reason people who would mislead his post as an attack on people who subscribe to the service. “I understand that players like it: this is a great opportunity, but mathematics does not work for a family doctor, it works only because MS introduces billions into it to do it for players … for now,” he wrote in one thread.
“I understand, you can only look at it from the point of view, but when the contract is too good, there is a reason that may be revealed later and will hurt everyone, including”, he wrote in another. “At the moment you have access to a lot of good games for a fraction of real costs.”
Part of what complicates this conversation is the knowledge that in all her shortcomings Game Pass was a benefit for some studies, which otherwise had a problem finding financing or winning the audience. It will become available in the service puts you in front of millions of eyeballs and guarantees a memory in articles that describe in detail what is novel and noteworthy in the service. Another time, being on Game Pass gives the titles another shot in finding the audience. Games like Sea of thieves AND No man of man For example, he saw the influx of players after going to the game card, although he was already available earlier and to a enormous extent he offered the same impression. I know that it is more likely that I will try an independent game if it goes to the game.
Despite the trolls, there are definitely people who understand Colantonio. But when the games begin to cost 79.99 USD, the price of accessories increases and without a lack of microtransation to consider, it is not surprising that people feel the value of the pass so much.
“I am sure that this is not good for programs, but if my pay does not increase, but my rent is, like gas prices and foodstuffs, I will look for the best offer,” said one of the users. “And if it ceases to be a good opportunity, I will find an alternative.” Colantonio answer? Highlighted 100 emoji.
