Xbox Game Pass just had its strongest content quarter ever, but can we expect this level of quality forever?

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This quarter has been a real hit for Xbox Game Pass! We’ve seen an exciting series of releases such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the remastered Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, the praised Blue Prince, and DOOM: The Dark Ages. You’d think we’d have time to catch our breath by now, but no! Today, Metaphor: Refantazio also joins Game Pass!

I currently have Diablo 3, South of Midnight, GTA 5 (once more), and Towerborne in my gaming lineup, and the subscription service has provided an abundance of top-notch content that I haven’t experienced so quickly. As fans eagerly await additional releases like Space Marine: Master Crafted Edition, I find myself wondering if this incredible momentum will continue. Is it too good to be true?

A quarter for the record books

Over the past few months, Xbox Game Pass has firmly established itself as a dominant force in the realm of subscription-based gaming services. Notable titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Blue Prince have surpassed expectations, earning top spots on Metacritic and being strong contenders for game of the year awards. Our subscriptions to Xbox Game Pass gave us access to these highly acclaimed games.

The much-anticipated Oblivion Remaster was released amidst a flurry of downloads at launch, despite some skepticism about its timing so close to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. However, these concerns proved unwarranted as the simultaneous release seemingly boosted visibility for both games. Matt Handrahan, senior portfolio director at Kepler (the publisher for Clair Obscur), shared this sentiment during an interview with The Game Business, stating that the proximity to Oblivion actually drew attention to quality RPGs that week.

In a fascinating revelation, Kepler also disclosed that there is a substantial overlap between players of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Elder Scrolls. Approximately 35% of Expedition 33 players across all platforms were also Elder Scrolls players, with an impressive 55% of Xbox Expedition 33 players engaging with the Elder Scrolls 4 Remaster as well.

Beyond their presence on Xbox Game Pass, both games also performed exceptionally well on Steam and boasted high concurrent player counts.

This degree of achievement isn’t merely by chance; instead, it stems from a skillfully executed strategy, diverse content offerings, immediate releases, and user-friendly platform access (growing Play Anywhere titles). Microsoft’s aggressive move to extend Game Pass to smart TVs, streaming devices, and beyond has drawn in numerous gamers to the system. While I can’t ignore its benefits, the hurdles of maintaining this momentum become increasingly daunting.

Did Game Pass hurt DOOM: The Dark Ages?

One of the debated topics regarding Xbox’s recent quarter is the evaluation method of the game “DOOM: The Dark Ages.” At first glance, it appears to be an extraordinary success, having amassed 3 million players in a short span, making it id Software’s largest debut.

However, its performance on Steam isn’t as impressive. DOOM: The Dark Ages managed only 31,000 concurrent players, significantly lower than DOOM Eternal’s peak of 100,000. This contrast raises questions about the ‘Game Pass Effect,’ particularly if one believes in its existence. For $19.99 a month, Game Pass Ultimate grants access to DOOM: The Dark Ages and numerous other games. Why would players opt for a standalone $70 version when they can enjoy the same content within their subscription? Is it the price itself that’s problematic, or did Game Pass offer too many options this quarter?

It could be argued that the same applies to Clair Obscur and Oblivion, but their prices are only $50, which is closer to an ‘impulse buy’ range than $70. For me, the additional $20 influences my decision-making process when considering purchases. While the Game Pass strategy increases player numbers, it may also decrease the perceived value for individual titles. Perhaps DOOM: The Dark Ages, being a first-party title, was unduly affected in this situation. However, are sales truly significant?

It’s clear that Xbox Game Pass doesn’t offer games for free as a promotional strategy; instead, it aims to keep subscribers from canceling their subscription each month. If someone who might not normally spend $240 on games in a year remains an Xbox Game Pass subscriber for the entire cycle, then it’s beneficial. However, having several popular titles like DOOM, Clair, Oblivion, Blue Prince, and others all released close together could potentially reduce the popularity or “viral” success of DOOM due to the overlap in release dates.

The Dark Ages, released by Microsoft, managed to attract 3 million players within a week, which is seven times quicker than its predecessor’s pace. This suggests that it might be exceptionally effective at retaining players compared to other popular games from this quarter. However, since Microsoft doesn’t usually disclose detailed statistics, we can only speculate about their investment strategies for studios based on the game’s performance on Game Pass.

Third-party game developers are rewarded with engagement bonuses and an upfront fee, but it can be challenging to understand Microsoft’s perspective on the performance of its own studios when their “success” is primarily determined by Game Pass engagement, not traditional sales. In a scenario where a user plays both Clair Obscur and DOOM: The Dark Ages while maintaining their subscription, it might be unclear which developer gets credited for this interaction.

Whether in Game Pass or at retail, quality is still top dog

One of the main factors contributing to the ongoing popularity of Clair Obscur and Oblivion, both on Xbox Game Pass and other platforms, lies in their ability to surprise players. Clair Obscur combined an original gameplay mechanic with a captivating narrative, revitalizing interest in turn-based games. Likewise, the remastered version of Oblivion provided a nostalgic journey while incorporating contemporary updates, attracting both long-time fans and newcomers without losing its original charm.

These games have inspired people to purchase them as a show of support for the developers, and there’s value in expressing this on social media with phrases like “buying a game because I support the developers.”

However, it appears that while Clair Obscur and Oblivion have been successful through Xbox Game Pass, their sales performance on other platforms such as PlayStation and Steam might have been affected according to certain analytics. Microsoft has chosen not to disclose specific sales figures, so we’ll have to wait for analysts like Circana to share sales estimates before we can draw definitive conclusions. It remains uncertain whether the reduced player churn through Game Pass compensates for potential losses in sales, which is a common point of contention regarding Microsoft’s subscription model.

DOOM: The Dark Ages may have met its target without surpassing it significantly, leading some to think twice before pulling out their wallets. Maybe it was simply too costly for the value it offered upfront. Despite being a strong game, today’s gamers seek more than just satisfactory in an age where services like Xbox Game Pass offer access to numerous alternatives. In essence, games that push boundaries or evoke feelings are more likely to spark a purchase, especially when they are on Xbox Game Pass.

Are subscription services “dangerous” for developers?

In Phil Spencer’s own words, “Game Pass isn’t for everyone,” and it might not be the best choice if you only play a handful of games annually. On the other hand, some question Xbox’s subscription-centric strategy, with former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida voicing concerns about the potential pitfalls of subscription services dominance. At Gamescom LATAM, Yoshida warned that Microsoft’s approach could be harmful, as games created under such a system may be dictated by the subscription service owners. He suggested that this trend might not foster industry growth. In contrast, Yoshida praised Sony’s method of adding titles later in their lifecycle, believing it to be a healthier approach compared to Microsoft’s commitment to Day One releases on Game Pass Ultimate.

Yoshida’s comments reveal a deeper worry that the subscription model could motivate corporations to favor telemetry-friendly content over unique, hard-to-measure content. Microsoft, along with Spencer in his statements, have tried to ease gamers’ minds by emphasizing that Game Pass is an extra service rather than a replacement for traditional purchasing options.

Expedition 33 has found itself in the center of discussions on gaming Twitter regarding the effectiveness of Game Pass. Given my slightly above-average understanding of the subject matter, I’ll simply affirm that it’s indeed advantageous to have your game accessible through Game Pass 😊, April 27, 2025

From my perspective as a tech enthusiast, Yoshida’s remarks seem unusual, considering that developers themselves have openly expressed how being part of Xbox Game Pass from the start significantly increased visibility for their games, something they might not have achieved otherwise.

It appears a significant number of developers are keen on joining Xbox Game Pass, yet Microsoft has been reluctant to disclose the number of its subscribers for quite some time now. Consequently, we remain uncertain about whether the platform is expanding substantially or if it’s nearing its maximum capacity.

This quarter’s impressive game title deliveries may prove advantageous and challenging for Microsoft at once. On one side, it strengthens Game Pass’s status as a top-tier gaming deal, but on the flip side, it sets high expectations for subsequent quarters, putting significant pressure to sustain this level of quality and diversity.

The future of Xbox

1. The continued triumph of Xbox Game Pass relies on Microsoft managing the pace and range of their content delivery effectively. A continual flow of distinct and captivating games spanning multiple genres ensures that players are always treated to something new and exciting.

2. Simultaneously, I believe there’s room for advancements in the Xbox Cloud Gaming service. While it already expands gaming accessibility across various devices such as smart TVs, phones, and tablets, it should aim to match the performance of top-tier cloud services like Nvidia GeForce Now.

3. It is crucial that Microsoft provides adequate breathing room for their first-party games. Titles like DOOM: The Dark Ages undeniably boost subscriptions and decrease churn, but to achieve maximum impact and prevent negatively affecting other games, they might need to avoid busy launch windows. If gamers are hesitant to spend $70 on these games, the impending price increase to $80 could further intensify their reservations. Moreover, launching titles during crowded periods may only worsen this potential issue. However, there might be enough diversity among Xbox Game Pass subscribers to cater to each type of game’s specific audience. There are likely many individuals who were uninterested in DOOM due solely to personal preference but kept their subscription for Clair Obscur instead.

On June 8th, the Xbox Showcase will offer valuable insights into Microsoft’s future plans. This event will make it clear where their focus lies and may set high expectations among subscribers, signaling that the current influx of quality content is merely the beginning of a long-term, sustainable strategy. With more users subscribed to Xbox Game Pass, potential overlaps are likely to be minimized. However, we can’t definitively say what the true state of Xbox Game Pass is as they do not typically disclose user statistics.

Regardless of the approach it chooses, Microsoft can maintain its prosperity by balancing its offerings consistently and methodically, ensuring steady growth – quarter following quarter, hit after hit. Here’s hoping we manage to keep up with the demand.

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2025-05-31 15:40