How is Game Pass adding so many indie titles at launch?

ID@Xbox director Chris Charla talks about independent developers' concerns around subscription plans and streaming services.

[gangsta_red]

Good read, Game Pass is an excellent service and it definitely has given me a chance to play a lot more independent titles than I would ever normally. Especially since I get get over half my games from other rental services like Gamefly I usually skip out on indie digital only titles.

Here's hoping Game Pass becomes an even bigger success than it already is.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Because big developers and publishers would never put their new released game on a service when they want to make money. And not allow you to play it for $1. You won't see GTA6 on it as you don't see RDR2 on it now. Microsoft only looked for added revenue because their 1st party games weren't selling.

Indie developers want to get noticed by any means and are more susceptible to put their game on there.

Game Pass is a great idea for gamers in theory. Who wouldn't want to play games for cheap? But for a developer to make money, you need a big pay out from Microsoft or actual sales of their games.

Some say it's like being able to play a full demo of a game before you buy. But why would you buy it after if you already played it for $1 or $10 instead of $60?

And two, now paying for demos is okay now? Wouldn't it be better to have actual *free* demos to play to see if you like a game or not without paying a cent? I like this way better. It's actually FREE.

[RizBiz]

Yeah, I really don't understand Game Pass either. It seems so financially irresponsible for developers to put their games on it. I guess it's like Epic Store, where M$ is just burning millions of dollars in order to get the service up and running, but if most people cancel their subscription after their $1/month discounts run out, how is the service supposed to make money?

[TK-66]

"Because big developers and publishers would never put their new released game on a service when they want to make money. And not allow you to play it for $1."

That's fine. I'll just wait 3 months like I did for Metro: Exodus ;)

"Game Pass is a great idea for gamers in theory."

No it's not "in theory" anymore. The system works and it delivers great value. Your criticisms of it all apply to PS+ and GWG which have been working out for a couple generations now so you're being selective in your analysis.

"Some say it's like being able to play a full demo of a game before you buy. But why would you buy it after if you already played it for $1 or $10 instead of $60?"

Because if you like the game you can then play it for now additional cost and also try out dozens of other games in the same month? You buy it if you want to keep it after the subscription runs out. This isn't rocket science...

[ApocalypseShadow]

Microsoft has fooled gamers. From paying for Xbox live for over 10 years and got nothing in return. It was because of Sony that we got games and discounts for online service. More than what we pay in.

They put services like Netflix behind a paywall and fans said nothing. They still got gamers paying for Xbox live to play F2P games. And again, the fans say nothing but attack Sony for not doing cross play when Microsoft is just trying to force live on other platforms to increase MAU numbers.

Now, they got gamers believing that $1 or $10 to play new release games benefits developers. EA Access has been on Xbox for years. But EA doesn't have their new release games on it. Why? Because they want to make money. They don't have new release games on Game Pass because they want to make money. Sony doesn't have Spider-Man, Days Gone and every other best selling exclusive on PSNow because they want to make money by actually selling a product.

Because of low hardware and software sales, Microsoft put their new release games on Game Pass day one. While trying to double dip with sales at retail. But no gamer would ever buy if you can play for cheap.

Developers are going to learn that Microsoft is only about increasing subscription services and not developer's game sales. And it's going to bite Indies in the @$$ later if they don't wake up soon.

[TK-66]

5 paragraphs and not a single piece of evidence to prove your narrative but I'll still respond.

"Microsoft has fooled gamers. From paying for Xbox live for over 10 years and got nothing in return."

Then the same is true for PS+. The service locks multiplayer games behind a Paywall and trying to retaliate with "but muh F2P" changes nothing. Both services are anti consumer but you still have your subscription for PS+ all year round don't you? Sounds like you're being selective in your analysis. Also not relevant to the topic of XGP.

"And again, the fans say nothing but attack Sony for not doing cross play when Microsoft is just trying to force live on other platforms to increase MAU numbers."

Oh noez!!! Xbox live achievements on my Playstation. Call the police!!! You're literally crying over nothing. Atleast Nintendo fans could see that getting achievements in Cuphead isnt a threat to their enjoyment of a game. Now why is this relevant to XGP?

"Now, they got gamers believing that $1 or $10 to play new release games benefits developers. EA Access has been on Xbox for years. But EA doesn't have their new release games on it. Why? Because they want to make money."

It's called Origin Access Premier mate. They have a similar service so trying to draw a comparison with them isn't going to work because they do bring games to it day 1.

"Because of low hardware and software sales, Microsoft put their new release games on Game Pass day one. "

So what you're saying is MS's failure and desire to compete in the market and make money resulted in them creating a service that provides great value to the consumer? Awesome! Why is this a bad thing? You're still not presenting evidence for any of your assertions on why XGP is bad.

"Developers are going to learn that Microsoft is only about increasing subscription services and not developer's game sales. And it's going to bite Indies in the @$$ later if they don't wake up soon."

Present evidence for your assertions or admit you're making things up. You have no numbers to show how it's disadvantaging Indies and AAA's just want to trash a solid service because it's not on your platform of choice.

[gangsta_red]

Well said TK, basically any topic of MS is a chance to rant about frivolous complaints.

A service that opens the doors to a wider audience and allows gamers to play more games is some how bad or a Trojan horse.

You can tell it's a weak argument the minute it goes off topic.

[FGHFGHFGH]

Origin Access Premiere is pc only? What about the awesome ea access on xbox? Or do you have to get another sub for new ea games? If you want ubisoft games you can subscribe to them too now. Awesome. Next will be Activision or any other big publisher because they can come with a better games lineup than gamepass. Or maybe they'll skip xbox because games don't sell on xbox. PS4 sell 3-4 times more software. I think the value of gamepass is exaggerated because half the games are 360 or xbox games. It's just a way to monetize old games that don't sell much. Of course microsoft is putting new titles on there but it'll only be 1 or 2 a year. You end up saving a few bucks but don't own anything. If you want to play any big 3rd party game around release date (when mp is most active) gamepass is useless. All the top games played on xbox are 3rd party

[AK91]

What do you mean how? It obviously makes deals with indie gamers and removes a ton of other games from Games Pass to make way for indie gamers.

[Imortus_san]

Great keep bringing the games that I will keep playing, in 2018 alone I played more games then on PS4 + Switch + Xbox One Before Game Pass + PC combine between 2013 to 2018, all due to game pass, 2019 is already fantastic due to so many good games and Game Pass.