The 'Sea Of Thieves' Launch Has Convinced Me Xbox Game Pass Is The Future

Today is a big day for Microsoft, as they’re launching Rare’s Sea of Thieves, its seafaring, multiplayer adventure title that has already been tearing up Twitch in all its early tests. But it’s important for another reason as well. This is the first time Microsoft has heavily promoted its Xbox Game Pass service by putting a brand new exclusive release as part of its line-up.

[Vasto]

Xbox Game Pass is the best thing to come out of this gen for me. From now on all I am going to do is sub to Game Pass for $9.99 a month and buy my 3rd party titles through digital sales. I just picked up Titanfall 2 Ultimate Edition for $6. Citys Skylines already confirmed to be coming to Game Pass next month and I look forward to see what other games are coming. It is not even a debate anymore if digital is the future. Microsoft now just needs to some way combine Gold and Game Pass together.

#Xbox4Life

[Eonjay]

I want to come and rescue you.
BTW you can get EA Access and Live Gold together for a discount so there is that.

[Professor_K]

Rescue your self

[whothedog]

I am wondering how Xbox will be pumping out triple A games while paying the studios 9.99 or not even getting that amount cause there is more than their game. I see it right now you go to see a movie, pay the 9.99 admission, but you can chose any movie you want to see, and that's cool for us. I just don't see how the studios profit. Maybe I am looking at this very stupidly.

[itsmebryan]

How?

[No Way]

We dont need rescued.

[whothedog]

So MS fronts the money. And if a game or games flop they still front money for future games to be produced?

[BlackTar187]

you bought Titanfall 2 like 1 year later when it has no community for $6 congrats very helpful to the dev you are lol

[Cmv38]

Multiplayer games need a large initial player base so the game doesn't die. Titan fall 2 is dead.

[Eidolon]

but it has a great single player..

[Magnetar]

I played it month ago and had no problem finding matches.

[Cyborgg]

Hopefully Microsoft makes enough profit from the game pass so they can develop and make new first party exclusives.

[rainslacker]

I'd imagine they'd make more by just having two successful AAA games in a year. Or more. If they actually release 2 AAA games on the system, they'd end up losing more, because they'd still have to pay for the other content that exists on the service.

There is no way that Game Pass would be sustainable for $9.99 a month, with a regular AAA release schedule on day one. I have a feeling that the price will either increase, or you won't see that many AAA releases there day one after they get past the initial getting people interested phase.

It's a great value now though if you're interested in the games they're putting on it though.

[Xenophon_York]

How do some individuals not see that following anything—rather a President or game console manufacturer—blindly and without fault is dangerous? The minute you shrug off reason and morals in order to protect something like pride is the minute you've stopped being able to enjoy life.

[TheUndertaker85]

That’s a pitiful way to look at things as well.

Allowing another or group of individuals to shape your morals and reasoning rather than creating those for yourself is equally dangerous.

Rather people like this explanation I’ve seen all sides of the fence and can tell you quite a few reasons Xbox does stand out from the competition. Game Pass is an attractive product in my opinion versus services like PS Now. It along with EA Access offers certain propositions but Game Pass offering brand new first party titles on top of other offerings plus the ability to download versus stream seems better to me.

At the end of the day what is wrong with enjoying a product or knowing you made a sound purchase?

[Godmars290]

"From now on all I am going to do is sub to Game Pass for $9.99 a month and buy my 3rd party titles through digital sales."

Until MS decides not to offer a 1st party title via Game Pass. I mean, it is their option to do so or not.

Wonder if that's what they've meant all along by "offering choice"? They have the choice to offer things for more than the asking price.

[xfiles2099]

Dont you people realize Game Pass is going to hurt the Gaming Industry more than Help it. Game Pass could spell the end for gaming as we know it

[darthv72]

That's some pretty deep thinking there Scully

[No Way]

In what way?

[Kribwalker]

just like blockbuster, or gamefly or redbox??

[xfiles2099]

Because if Game Pass becomes the Norm Game Sales will suffer Game budgets will get cut and the quality of Games will go down. It is OK for much older games But if Day One games end up on there over time we will be Stuck with low tier games

[_-EDMIX-_]

So what you're telling me is you never heard a red box or GameFly?

[xfiles2099]

Gamefly and Redbox is different they are not associated with the Industry, The Problem is with Game Pass is if it eventually becomes the Norm. Game sales will go down and Quality of Games will go down. By losing game sales Game budgets will get slashed and sadly eventually we will all be stuck with low tier games.

[Cyborgg]

Gamefly anyone? Does that mean Gamefly is the future too?

[rainslacker]

I've come to find that anything new and shiny is "The Future".

It doesn't actually seem to change much in the short term, and more often than not only has cursory effects on the long term, as the good stuff is usually modified to change things.

In any case, I don't see Game Pass being the only future, just like so many other things aren't the only future. Game Pass, or services like it, will likely be part of the future. It's a thing that maybe journalists should consider. There is way too much pontification about the future from people who don't understand the difference between something new and exciting, and a trend.

As of right now, Game Pass, or services like it, aren't even a trend, so how it can be used to say it's the future is beyond me.

Remember when mobile was the future? At least that was a trend at the time, and still is. It hasn't changed the course of other gaming any more than Game Pass will change the way games are distributed as a whole any time soon.

[Yohshida]

Please dont have fun

[rainslacker]

Yeah....that model is obviously the future. Publishers relying on those people buying $6 games through digital, and a payment from MS to put their games up on MS service.

Seems like a great future for gaming to me.

Buying digital is fine, but I'm just going to buy the games I want, when I want them. Relying on any subscription service to deliver the games I want, when I want them isn't exactly my cup of tea. It's fine if you don't really care when you get the game though.

[RosweeSon]

And release games. Great sea of thieves is out what else is due for the rest of the year. Jack 💩

[subtenko]

You mean PCMR....you could easily get a lot of xbox games cheaper and with a better experience plus without paying for live with the same games. I got Rainbow six siege for $15! Guess how much it is on console... $40-$60 and its a multiplat

[Nyxus]

I can see this is a good model for GAAS type games, where they just want a big player base that keeps playing the game and have a continuous revenue stream that way through micro-transactions and paid content updates. But for big budget single player games I don't see this working, because their revenue model is people purchasing the game (preferably at launch at full price). Maybe they'll have one or two pieces of DLC but that's it. And since I want to keep seeing big single player games and not just GAAS type games, I'll gladly keep buying games at regular price and support the developers and publishers that way.

[rainslacker]

I've often said Game Pass seems more like a pay wall for games which tend to fall into the F2P category. SoT feels like a F2P game. F2P isn't bad, and SoT does have production value, but it's structured like a F2P game. MS is loading up Game Pass now to get people interested, but in the long term, I can't see how anyone can reasonably think that MS will put their biggest AAA games on the service for the long term. It just wouldn't be financially viable without a huge subscriber base, and they'd end up losing money.

[Vizigoth04]

Agreed. This is lazy simple money. If this was a massive AAA single player game, it would be essentially to let it sell full price. Let it each a benchmark where they can then put it on Game Pass Service.

[timotim]

It's an amazing service...tons of benefits to it. I encourage the many who claim to have a decent PC on this site to check it out...I think you'll like it.

Oh, and go Sea of Thieves!!!

[TFJWM]

If you don't have an xbox one isn't there only like 8 games that you play on PC with it?

[timotim]

Well...their is a 14 day trial (some have reported seeing a month trial) to check it out 8 games should keep you busy during that time.

And don't forget that Microsoft has new titles coming in State of Decay 2, Crackdown 3, Ori 2 and Ashen...

[BlackOni]

There are only 8 games that are eligible for PC. Sea of Thieves and Gears of War 4 will be worthwhile to many, but to some who already bought Gears, Sea of Thieves may be the only reason most PC players will want to opt into this.

[timotim]

Haha...another one. Again, I said "check it out", meaning give the trial a go. Imo, out of the 8 titles available to PC only players, Sea of Thieves, Gears 4, Super Lucky's Tale, Gears of War: Ultimate, Halo Wars 2, Halo Wars: Definitive Edition, ReCore, and Zoo Tycoon should keep players busy to see if they like the games, no?

[BlackOni]

You could be kept busy by any number of things, like your job giving you 4 times more work than usual- Doesn't mean it's what you want. If you're not really interested in the other 7 offerings, the point still stands— Sure, you can give it a try, but the point I tried to make was that to make it more enticing for PC players they may want to consider having more available to them.

With time that will surely change, but for now I myself don't feel like I absolutely need to go sign up right now.

[_-EDMIX-_]

I mean if you don't have an Xbox One I'd argue you're probably giving the best example of exactly why this company is performing so poorly I mean even some of its biggest supporters don't even own the damn system yet have gaming PCs instead

yet you guys are wondering why the majority of us don't buy this company's crap?

[timotim]

I currently own an 1S, 1X and a Surface Pro. My comment wasnt directed towards other Xbox console owners on purpose haha...we already know how good the service is. In fact, my comment was directed more towards gamers like yourself and others who only bring up PC once Microsoft has a game that comes out for both platforms.

I don't see anything crappy about Game Pass...that would be reserved for PS Now...which is also on PC coincidentally...

[PurplePeopleEaters]

I hope not not

[thesoftware730]

Game pass is an Amazing service, the best thing since Nextflix as far as services go.

[Darkwatchman]

I think Game Pass is fine for people that want it, but I don’t want it to overshadow physical for Microsoft’s purposes. I paid for a physical copy of Sea of Thieves for a reason. And thankfully, so far at least, it seems like Microsoft isn’t making Game Pass replace anything as State of Decay 2, also part of the Game Pass, has a physical release as well.

[timotim]

I don't think it's Microsoft's goal to use GP as a replacement for Physical games. Think about it...Microsoft has released digital games all generation, yet physical isn't going anywhere. I myself have 250+ games on my X...except for a few BC titles that was purchased years ago, I haven't bought a single physical title this entire generation.

[_-EDMIX-_]

So basically you're going to pretend that the beginning of this generation didn't happen where Microsoft is trying to force digital-only? 😂😂😂

Okay don't be surprised when next Generation Microsoft is not releasing a system but simply a service on Playstation Nintendo and PC.

This company very much sounds like they're well on their way into just becoming a software only company.

It would not be the first time Microsoft has exited a hardware industry in shame

[Jinger]

Same here.

[Xx_Pistol_xX]

Wait you are talking about the same company that tried the put DRM on physical games right. Which would make them work like digital games.

[Jinger]

As of right now GP isn't going to be getting rid of physical retail. I'm pretty sure Phil Spencer said they aren't getting rid of physical. But you never know. I don't think we are more than a couple gens away from being a mostly digital media industry.

[rainslacker]

I don't think that MS wants to replace other distribution methods. They just want a steady revenue stream that Game Pass offers. Profitability can come later, but revenue is important, because it shows potential.

MS would be completely idiotic to restrict their games to game pass right now. CBS did this with the new Star Trek: Discovery, and they found that people subbed for a month...or used the free trial, then cancelled after binge watching the season. No one was really that happy about it. All MS would do is piss off their user base, because not everyone is all about game pass or renting their games. Pissing off their user base is something MS really can't afford right now, and they seem very keen on at least seeming like they are doing good things for them.

[Darkwatchman]

I’m not saying Game Pass would replace owning games entirely. Im saying game pass could possibly lead to physical releases for microsoft’s Major games no longer happening and either you get them through game pass or you buy them, buy digitally only which is a future I don’t want.

[rainslacker]

Maybe, but that's probably a while coming, and seems to be what the industry wants to do across the board. The reason they haven't really moved that way already is because it would alienate too many customers. Even when MS wanted to go that route at the start of the generation, they still kept physical because they knew not enough people would accept it, or had the means to go all digital. That's not likely to change for a couple more generations at least, when internet infrastructure gets up to par, and enough people become accepting of acquiring their content through such means.

[bolimekurac]

if they get 1 new exclusive into game pass monthly then its worth every penny and then some, even bi monthly

[_-EDMIX-_]

Except Microsoft doesn't even make exclusives anymore I'm not sure if you realize this but Microsoft was releasing games on PC and Xbox One which means they're no longer making exclusive see either platform....

And if you do the math if you get one game that's worth it it still means you spend $120 to get one game...

It also means that once you stop paying you don't even keep the game that you just actually spent money to actually play 😂😂😂

[bolimekurac]

yes thats how subscription based services work, they stop if you stop paying, thats the whole point to the netflix style service, a low monthly prices for tons of games and some xbox/pc exclusives every few months. the same way you dont get to keep psnow games or netflix movies, keep paying and keep playing. you make it seem like your paying for 1 game but many people will play many of the game pass games

[Xenophon_York]

"It also means that once you stop paying you don't even keep the game..."

Preach it.

I'll hand Microsoft this: The company sure does know how to manipulate and brainwash its fans into buying—and defending—below average quality content.

[chiefJohn117]

Window 10 pc= Microsoft, that would still make the games Microsoft exclusive lol. That's like Zelda releasing on the switch and 3ds and someone saying it's not Nintendo exclusive lol. Both are Nintendo platforms. Like w10 and Xbox ate Ms platforms.

Stop the press! You're telling me if you stop paying you can't access the games? Omg what kind of evil is that oh wait.... so it's like ps+, PsNow, live gold, Netflix, and any other subscription in history 😂
1. wtf y'all acting like it's only 1 game
2. Wtf y'all saying it's a bad deal but have no issue any other subscription?
3. Wtf are y'all ignoring every benefit it offer such as the discount for purchasing said game that would basically reimburse you that months sub? Or the fact there 100s of the games available to play with it.

"Haters gonna hate" is what they told me growing up. But this is comical. MS can send ppl a $1000 gift card for buy a game and y'all still try to hate and down play.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Chief -except I don't believe he's referring to exclusive as in who owns it I mean if you're going to say a statement that stupid you might as well say Electronic Arts also makes exclusives because Electronic Arts owns the game lol

Let's put this into words that even you could understand Microsoft is no longer making content that could only be found on the Xbox One......

Thus, Microsoft is no longer making exclusives because the way you're actually using the term actually applies to every single company in gaming that has ownership over the property.

ie Call of Duty is exclusive to Activision, trust me that's not what that person is questioning as it doesn't even make any sens I think you guys are just angry because you can't take that this company is going multiplatform because you guys literally went on years pretending it was never going to happen in arguing in every article when Microsoft would even hands on it and now suddenly you're trying to spin it to make it sound like something else lol

Nintendo was making content that could only be found on the Nintendo switch

Sony is making content that can only be found in the PlayStation 4

only Microsoft is actually not making content that can only be found on the Xbox One and no other place

( just in case you want to tear up about semantics ) 😎

[traumadisaster]

I'm struggling to understand how paying $120 the first year is better than paying $60 for multiple years/decades?

Each year you pay $120 So after 2 years of play your at $240 vs. Picking it up for $30 on black Friday.

It's not a stretch to get games at 50% off within 6 months of release, and even $20 at a year out. I do that now and rarely buy a new game. Between steam sales and buying exclusive a year out game pass does not make sense for me.

Even for those who buy brand new 3 MS exclusives that is $120 for unlimited use, but with game pass it's $120 per year to keep playing. I suppose seriously strapped for $60 it would be easier to pay just the $10 up front.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Absolutely agreed with Amazon Prime I get 20% off brand new games so me paying $47 is pretty normal for a new game day one.

So I would argue I'm really only buying a game brand new maybe 4 to 5 times a year but then again I also own a PlayStation 4 which is actually receiving games 😎

But this year is pretty packed so so far my day one purchases are Monster Hunter World God of War Yakuza 6 Yakuza 2 remake Red Dead Redemption 2 Battlefield Detroit, Nino Kuni 2

That list could increase to so anything could change

[chiefJohn117]

You get that same % discount for having gamepass and decide to buy the game.....so if you're gonna buy you might as well sub and get the discount that would pay for the subscription. You people have no argument

[_-EDMIX-_]

or I can normally buy my games and own them for life without the need of a subscription.

[chiefJohn117]

Lol you guys are trying hard.
Pay $120 a year, get access to halo 6, Forza h4, SoT, SoD, Ori 2, plus 100+ other games

Or pay $60 for just 1 of those. Pay $60 for unlimited access and ownership of 1 game.

pay $10 a month/$120 a year. For access to that game along with ALL NEW FIRST PARTY RELEASES DAY 1, along with 3rd party games that get added later and a collection of hundreds of games and for whatever reason you want to own the games you get a discount...that discount being enough to pay for a month worth of service.... Hmm tough decision/s