Industry Journalist Says Xbox Game Pass Does Increase Premium Sales, But Mainly on PS5

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According to former GamesIndustry.biz journalist Christopher Dring (now back with VGC), an unforeseen advantage of Xbox’s Game Pass subscription service is that specific titles added to it can significantly influence Sony’s PlayStation sales.

In an interview on InstallBaseForum (thanks to PSU), Dring was questioned about his perspective on how Microsoft’s subscription-based service, Game Pass, has influenced the premium game market. He suggested that it could act as both a blessing and a curse, potentially diminishing sales for big-budget games such as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, but surprisingly boosting sales on PS5. Elaborating further, he stated:

*Game Pass may have a dual impact, negatively affecting major blockbuster titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, while simultaneously stimulating sales on the PS5.*

According to common stories, games available on Game Pass often see approximately 80% decrease in anticipated premium sales on Xbox. However, this figure may be lower for popular mainstream releases. For example, notice how poorly Hellblade 2 performed, or the position of Indiana Jones, or even Starfield. It appears that Game Pass negatively impacted the sales of these titles on Xbox. Conversely, if a game is available across multiple platforms, it can have a positive effect. The increased player base on Xbox could significantly boost sales on PlayStation as well.

In essence, Game Pass undeniably broadens the variety of games an average subscriber encounters within a year, as Dring concedes. To put it another way, data shows there are many individuals who predominantly play Call of Duty. If some of these players acquire Call of Duty this year through Game Pass and subsequently explore other games offered on Game Pass – games they wouldn’t have played otherwise – it’s challenging to argue that’s a negative outcome.

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2025-01-09 11:06