- The former Arkane Studios founder implies that Xbox’s focus on Game Pass was a primary reason behind the recent huge layoffs.
- He argues that the subscription model is predatory and cannot be sustained without damaging other models in the industry.
- Michael Douse, publishing director of Larian Studios, also agreed with the take but claims Game Pass does help out smaller projects.
Just a few days ago, Microsoft suffered massive layoffs that affected 9000 employees. These job cuts have also left the Xbox brand shaken, with a slew of developers laid off across multiple studios amid project cancellations.
Former Arkane founder Raphael Colantonio claims Xbox’s focus on Game Pass contributed to the layoffs. He believes this subscription service cannot coexist with other models in the gaming industry.
Why it matters: Many notable figures in the gaming scene argue that Microsoft’s focus on the Game Pass model may have contributed to the recent layoff spree, which also affected Xbox.
Raphael clarifies on Twitter that Game Pass is predatory and unsustainable, as it hurts game sales, even if executives initially deny those claims. Many Xbox gamers also appear to share this sentiment, as a significant number of Xbox users boycotted Game Pass following the layoffs.
I think Gamepass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidized by MS’s ‘infinite money,’ but at some point reality has to hit.
Michael Douse, Larian’s publishing director, agreed and said he prefers Sony’s lifecycle strategy over Game Pass. However, he believes that Game Pass is a safe haven for smaller studios with new or riskier IPs.
Raphael also asserts that only gamers like Game Pass because its value feels too good to be true until they discover the negative effects it is having on the market. He believes GP can only exist alongside other models if it’s for the ‘back catalog.’
Do you think Microsoft made the drastic decision to lay off thousands of employees due to Xbox Game Pass, in addition to its AI initiatives? 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 devoutly 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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