- Xbox Game Pass could eventually stop offering day one first-party games, according to a prediction from Bloomberg insider Jason Schreier.
- Schreier believes major Xbox-owned titles like *Fable* and *Clockwork Revolution* could eventually move away from day one Game Pass releases as Microsoft rethinks its Xbox exclusivity strategy.
- He stated, “I think they keep Game Pass going, but I think [Microsoft] removes day one sales. Because that makes no sense anymore.”
- Studio heads reportedly detest Game Pass, believing it has destroyed the value of their games and has been detrimental to the gaming industry.
- Introduced in early 2017, the Xbox Game Pass granted access to a catalog of more than 100 games for $10 a month, with the promise of all future Xbox first-party titles launching on the service day one for no additional charge.
- Schreier's comments were speculation based on Microsoft’s current strategy and the information he has heard from people within the company.
- Game Pass has become a significant part of Xbox's identity, leading to a situation where players often wait for games to come to the service instead of purchasing them.
Insider Jason Schreier predicts that Xbox Game Pass may soon stop offering day one releases of first-party games, a move that reflects growing discontent among studio leaders. Many believe the service has devalued their titles and harmed the gaming industry overall.17
Schreier noted, “There are a lot of people out there in studio leadership within Xbox who absolutely detest Game Pass and think it has destroyed the value of their games.” This sentiment is echoed by concerns that the subscription model sends a message that games lack inherent market value, leading to a “race to zero” in pricing.4
The potential shift away from day one releases could be part of Microsoft's broader strategy to enhance exclusivity and profitability. As the company refocuses its gaming division, it has already laid off 1,600 employees and plans to cut an additional 1,600 jobs in the coming year.
Despite the service driving billions in revenue, the subscriber base has stagnated, with reports indicating it has not surpassed 30 million and has dropped “several million” after a price increase. This has led to speculation that Microsoft might explore a “build your own” Game Pass model, allowing users to pay a premium for select titles.
As the gaming landscape evolves, the future of Xbox Game Pass remains uncertain, with studio leaders advocating for a return to traditional sales models to preserve the value of their games.
“Many studio leaders believe Game Pass devalues games, with one noting it 'sends a message that titles don't have inherent market value'. Subscriber growth has stalled under 30 million, and over 1,600 employees were laid off as Microsoft restructures its gaming division.”
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