For a few years now, Microsoft has taken a different approach when it comes to games that they release as exclusive to their platforms, since most of them arrive on day one to the Game Pass service, which some see as a disadvantage due to the sales theme. And now, a new report ensures that the amount of monetary losses is enormous, to the point of exceeding more than half of the income that the title and its developers can earn.
Christopher Dring, a journalist recognized for sharing sales data in the United Kingdom, assured on the Install Base forum that the inclusion of games in the service can seriously harm premium sales on the platform. According to Dring, titles launched directly on the service lose, on average, up to 80% of their sales. Among the examples cited are Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga, Indiana Jones, Starfield, among others that arrived in 2024.
The negative impact seems to be less severe in high-profile launches, but Dring emphasizes that the trend is clear: Game Pass affects sales noticeably. However, he mentions that the story changes if the game is available on multiple platforms. In those cases, the increase in players on Xbox could boost sales on consoles like Sony’s, showing a benefit to developers.
He also reflected on the dilemma that independent developers face in this environment. According to him, subscription services make it difficult for indies to compete, especially if they are not part of the catalog. However, he acknowledged that Game Pass puts games in front of a wide audience, which can be crucial in a market where capturing the public’s attention is increasingly difficult.
The dynamics of this service raise questions about the balance between accessibility and economic sustainability. While it allows players to discover titles they would otherwise ignore, it also poses significant revenue challenges. As subscription services gain ground, the debate over their effects on the industry will continue to evolve, and may reach a point where games will no longer want to be released individually.
Via: NG
