‘The Tension Is Hurting a Lot of People’: Ex-Bethesda Boss Speaks Out on Subs Like Xbox Game Pass

by

Should you want insights about the influence of Xbox Game Pass, look no further than Pete Hines, the former Bethesda head who parted ways with the publisher in 2023.

For 24 eventful years, Microsoft’s acquisition was something Hines personally witnessed due to his thriving tenure with the company.

Although he’s acknowledged that it’s been some time since he was actively involved, he pointed out certain “myopic choices” made several years back that now appear to be unfolding exactly as he had predicted.

In the interview, Arkane Austin confirmed that Deathloop will not support cross-play.”

This can be rephrased as:

“During the interview, it was clarified that Deathloop would not offer cross-platform play.

I no longer work for any of these companies, so not all my previous knowledge is still relevant today. However, as a current observer, I can see that some decisions made in the industry a few years back appear to have had short-sighted consequences, and it seems those outcomes are materializing as predicted.

It seems subscriptions have taken over as the go-to term these days, doesn’t it? Nowadays, instead of purchasing a product outright, we often find ourselves subscribing to services. When discussing content-based subscriptions, it’s crucial to strike a balance between satisfying the service providers and those who create the content, for without that valuable content, your subscription loses its significance – and that’s a predicament you’d want to avoid.

It’s crucial to give due credit, fair payment, and appreciation for the effort put into creating content. Instead of merely treating it as a game, consider it a product with substantial value. Unfortunately, many people are feeling the strain, including the content creators themselves, because they’re operating within a system that undervalues and underappreciates their work.

As a gaming enthusiast, I wholeheartedly resonate with the sentiments expressed by ex-Sony executive Shawn Layden. His recent remarks about Xbox Game Pass sparked my attention, as he likened developers to “wage slaves”. I couldn’t agree more with his perspective, and when I came across Pete Hines’ quote on the same topic, it perfectly encapsulated my thoughts too! So, I eagerly took to social media to share Hines’ insightful commentary, stating, “Pete’s quote nails it” – a sentiment I believe many gamers can relate to.

Regardless of extensive debates surrounding the subject, Microsoft consistently maintains that its subscription model remains profitable, despite occasional price changes and modifications throughout recent years. However, some transparency regarding their exact profits might still be lacking.

In their defense, Sony’s PlayStation team has repeatedly stated that they consider the subscription-based model of Xbox Game Pass as unfeasible in the long run. At an earlier stage of this console generation, they faced significant pressure to imitate this business strategy.

The service eventually launched various levels of PS Plus, offering a rotating selection of releases that include select day-one games. Yet, it has consistently refrained from lowering the value of its own software on the platform at launch.

In the U.S., there’s been a notable increase in subscription spending across various industries lately, yet for a prolonged period, this expenditure seemed to stay flat, even with pricing adjustments.

In essence, it’s likely fair to conclude that although Xbox Game Pass offers significant value, it’s unlikely to be the shape of gaming in the long run as initially speculated during the current console generation’s beginning.

Read More

2025-09-06 14:37