- An Xbox executive argues that bringing games to Game Pass creates a positive snowball effect for developers.
- The games on the service get free advertisement, making them popular on other platforms.
- The gossip about the game spreads from Game Pass, leading to sales on Steam and consoles.
Xbox Game Pass can be a great gateway for indie and AA developers looking to capture a new player base, as gamers can try these games at a fraction of the cost via monthly subscriptions. However, it can also cause studios to lose a staggering number of sales.
An Xbox executive now also argues that bringing games to the service creates ‘a viral snowball effect’ that makes them successful on other platforms.
Why it matters: The Xbox executive believes that Game Pass does much more than what it’s credited for, essentially widely promoting the game on other platforms.
In an interview with Game Developer, ID@Xbox global director Guy Richards explains that millions of players enjoy games on Game Pass and that initial popularity steamrolls into a huge promotion.
One of the great benefits of launching into Game Pass on day one is the discovery that comes with it.
ID@Xbox global director, Guy Richards.
This word-of-mouth causes gamers to check out and wishlist the entry on other platforms like Steam and PlayStation, eventually leading to new sales that might have been impossible without Game Pass.
Typically, games that are launching day one into Game Pass tend to do very well on other platforms as well.
On a side note, Game Pass received nearly 300 new games last year worth over $8000 in retail value. It is also allegedly getting a separate tier for Xbox’s first-party games.
On the flip side, many argue that Xbox Game Pass has been embroiled in controversy for a while.
The recent price hikes pushed the Xbox co-founder to come out and say this strategy is a betrayal of fans. Meanwhile, the gaming brand’s new CEO, Asha Sharma, also finds the service too expensive.
The service is also reportedly not growing as swiftly as Microsoft had hoped.
Do you think the Xbox executive is right about Game Pass having a positive snowball effect? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devotedly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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