Overview

• Microsoft’s recent reduction of about 9,000 roles at Xbox led to multiple studio closures and game cancellations.
• Former Arkane Studios founder Raphael Colantonio called Game Pass an unsustainable model that threatens to outcompete other business approaches and force further closures.
• Michael Douse of Larian Studios rejected Microsoft’s “infinite money” defense and urged adoption of Sony’s lifecycle subscription model that adds titles later.
• Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley said Game Pass had been a huge success for survival action game Atomfall, highlighting occasional benefits for third-party developers.
• Despite plateauing subscriber growth and mounting industry doubts, Microsoft insists Game Pass remains the foundation of its gaming strategy.