Xbox Game Pass is “not for everybody,” says Phil Spencer

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Xbox Game Pass, often considered by many (including myself) as the most cost-effective gaming service, offers an extensive collection of games. Despite a price rise last September, I continue to receive far more value than I pay for the service.

However, the discussion about the merits of this service within the gaming community remains heated. The general consensus among Xbox gamers is that they are essentially renting their games instead of purchasing them.

Recently, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer voiced his opinion on this matter in an interview with Variety, and it’s not what you might anticipate.

Phil Spencer’s take on Xbox Game Pass in the wider business

What’s the current impact of Game Pass on the broader Xbox business from your perspective?” or “Could you share your thoughts on the role Game Pass is currently playing within the larger Xbox gaming landscape?

We offer several approaches for gamers, ranging from free-to-play to purchasing games, and even discounted options like Game Pass. When considering Game Pass, it’s essential to ensure that playtime hours increase, more people see it as an avenue to expand their game collection, and we continue prioritizing this focus.

Currently, our most dynamic expansion sectors are PC and Cloud gaming. This emphasis is logical because while consoles represent a stable business, they’re not currently experiencing significant growth within the gaming industry.

If all Game Pass subscribers chose to purchase their games individually instead, it would also benefit the business.

In essence, Xbox Game Pass is thriving on PC and Cloud platforms, with steady growth in users and hours. Console remains a vital part of Game Pass as well. However, it’s not necessary for everyone to rely solely on Game Pass to play their games. If all subscribers were to purchase the games instead, that would also benefit the business. In other words, Xbox Game Pass caters to specific needs, but it may not be ideal for everyone. For instance, if you only play one or two games annually, buying those individual titles might make more sense for you. But the key point is that you should have the freedom to choose what works best for you.

If you only play a game or two annually, it might be more cost-effective for you to purchase those specific games outright rather than subscribing to Game Pass.

We’re keeping our attention on the games available through Game Pass, and we’re expanding their availability to be purchased in various locations. The number of hours people are spending playing Xbox games is increasing significantly, which I consider a key indicator of success. While Game Pass plays an important role in this growth, I don’t isolate it as the sole solution for attracting new players; instead, it contributes to our broader strategy for Xbox.

Does Xbox Game Pass impact game sales?

Xbox Game Pass is frequently a subject of interest due to its outstanding value for the price. For just $20 a month, subscribers can access an extensive collection of content, including big-ticket games that would individually cost around $210 if bought separately at retail prices. This high cost might limit some gamers to purchasing only one or two titles, but Xbox Game Pass offers a more affordable and manageable monthly subscription fee, making it possible to play all these games and more. Plus, you can even find discounts on this service at CDKeys, making it an even better deal.

Xbox Game Pass also functions as a great platform for discovering new games that might not have otherwise caught your attention. For instance, the critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush gained a massive following on the service, and despite not typically being a fan of rhythm games, I gave it a try and ended up purchasing an upgrade after becoming smitten with it.

Similarly, smaller indie gems like Bramble: The Mountain King and more narrative-focused titles such as Pentiment have found their way onto my list of favorite games ever, titles that I would have hesitated to spend money on without first trying them out.

Unrealistic expectations and industry strain

The feedback on Xbox Game Pass isn’t all favorable. While it’s true that Hi-Fi Rush has been a success on the service, it’s troubling to me that Tango Gameworks studio, which produced the game, was still closed down after its release. This is a blemish on Xbox’s history that I can’t ignore, even though it might have been inevitable due to other factors. It’s a point of contention when discussing whether the success of Xbox Game Pass equates to sustainability for a game or not.

Furthermore, there’s the issue of unrealistic expectations that Xbox Game Pass can create among some of its audience. For instance, when the multiplayer shooter Hypercharges: Unboxed was announced for Xbox, many assumed it needed to be on Game Pass to thrive, with some going as far as saying it would fail without it. This mindset can put pressure on developers and potentially devalue games that don’t fit within the subscription model.

How do you feel about Xbox Game Pass?

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2025-04-17 14:13