Even More Ex-Xbox Executives Speak Out About ‘Tension’ of Game Pass

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On September 7th, 2025, at 12pm, Shannon Loftis, previously leading World’s Edge as head of a first-party studio and holding the position of VP at Xbox Game Studios, contributed to the ongoing discourse about Game Pass.

In the aftermath of former Bethesda boss Pete Hines’ comments, she concurred in a post on LinkedIn:

As a veteran developer who’s worked extensively with Xbox first-party games, I wholeheartedly agree with Pete’s perspective. It’s true that Game Pass has salvaged some titles from obscurity (like Human Fall Flat), but it’s important to note that the vast majority of games on Game Pass come at a cost: reduced retail sales, unless the game is specifically designed for post-release earnings. There are complex dynamics at play within this setup, and I could delve deeper into these tensions in a more comprehensive analysis (which I might do in the future).

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to admit, it’s quite intriguing to see Loftis spilling the beans. And

The most suitable person to discuss the effects of Xbox Game Pass would be former Bethesda executive Pete Hines, as he departed from the publishing company in 2023.

For 24 years, Hines thrived immensely within the company, thus witnessing directly the impacts that followed Microsoft’s takeover.

Although he acknowledged his absence for some time, he pointed out a series of “myopic decisions” made several years ago that appear to be unfolding as he predicted.

In this comprehensive conversation with DBLTAP, topics ranging from PREY to The Elder Scrolls were discussed, among other intriguing subjects. Here is the exact quote they shared:

(Original Quote) “So, we’re not just making games anymore; we’re creating worlds.”

(Paraphrased Version) “Now, instead of merely developing games, we are constructing entire universes.

Since I no longer work in these companies, my knowledge from my time in the industry may not be completely up-to-date. However, I am still familiar enough with the industry to recall some decisions I thought were short-sighted several years ago, and it appears that those decisions are having the negative consequences I predicted.

It seems that subscriptions have taken over as a common term these days, isn’t it? Nowadays, instead of purchasing products outright, we often find ourselves subscribing to them. When the subscription model is based on content, there’s a delicate balance to be maintained between meeting the needs of the service providers and the content creators, as well as the subscribers themselves. If this balance isn’t achieved, then your subscription loses its value, making it essentially useless.

In simpler terms, it’s crucial to appreciate, fairly compensate, and acknowledge the effort and value behind the creation of content. It’s not just about producing a game, but developing a product. Unfortunately, many people, including content creators, are feeling the strain due to an environment that undervalues and underpays for their work.

Previously employed by Sony, Shawn Layden has expressed opinions comparable to those of Pete Hines about Xbox Game Pass. He believes it’s creating a situation where developers are more like wage earners. On social media, he enthusiastically endorsed Hines’ statement, describing it as “spot-on”.

Regardless of numerous debates surrounding the subject, Microsoft maintains that their subscription model generates profit for them. Over the past few years, it has undergone changes in pricing and modifications, yet the precise financial gains remain somewhat obscure.

It’s worth noting that Sony, the makers of PlayStation, have repeatedly expressed doubts about the long-term viability of the Xbox Game Pass approach. Early in this console generation, they faced significant pressure to adopt a similar business strategy.

Over time, they rolled out various levels of the PS Plus service, offering a rotating library that includes some new-day titles, but have consistently refrained from reducing their own software’s value on the platform at launch.

In recent times, there’s been a rise in subscription spending across various industries in the U.S. However, this trend didn’t show significant growth over several previous years, even after prices went up.

In the end, it seems reasonable to conclude that even though Xbox Game Pass offers significant worth, it’s unlikely to be the shape of gaming in the long run, contrary to initial assumptions at the beginning of this console generation.

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2025-09-07 19:09