The service needs a big year, and some big games, if it's going to shape Microsoft's future.
The Steam Deck is one of 2022's greatest pieces of gaming hardware, but its integration of Xbox Game Pass is severely lacking right now.
I wish every TV had GamePass. The more locations, the merrier. I’m currently selling my Series S because I have a dedicated crap PC that can play Xcloud fantastic.
It would be nice to have indeed, the issue is just how exactly they would be able to do it. Microsoft wouldn't require developers to make sure their games are compatible with Proton, meanwhile, they themselves wouldn't do that work and Valve definitely wouldn't either.
So the only thing that I could see happening is a streamlined app for the cloud version.
Yeah I think it would take some effort to get that store working on the deck... That UWP approach doesn't get work with Wine/proton afaik. I would think MS would be torn on officially supporting this. GamePass everywhere vs. Windows everywhere
I can play xcloud through the edge browser on my deck. it works pretty good too but I can see how a dedicated app would do away with the extra hoops to jump through. Im sure MS doesnt have a problem seeing as they were the ones to even come up with the 'how-to' to get it running on the deck in the first place.
If there is to be a gamepass app, it would have to be one that links your steam account to your microsoft account in order to validate and let you download the games that are on gamepass through steam.
***it would have to be one that links your steam account to your microsoft account in order to validate and let you download the games that are on gamepass through steam.***
I wonder if people understand they're essentially saying "You just buy it at Target and pick it up at Walmart" when they refer to these types of features.
I've thought about this a lot. I doubt it'll happen though. Valve loses money on each deck sold. They recoup that money with software sales. Adding other platforms natively to the steam deck would cut into their profit. Just my thoughts of course. :)
I think your logic makes sense for a closed platform, but Steam Deck is amazingly open. They don't try to stop you from doing whatever you want. I have Epic, Ubi, and EA launchers on mine. It's one of the best things about Steam Deck. You can even drop into a Linux UI and use it like a normal computer
Unless they form a partnership. Advertise Gamepass optimized with Steam deck and get a kickback from MS based on userbase.
High on Life creator and Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland appeared on the Xbox Podcast last week.
Roiland explained that he did research on how Game Pass would help make the new game, and help his studio work on future projects.
High on Life has had one of the biggest launches in Game Pass history since its release on December 13.
In a recent episode of the Xbox Podcast, High on Life creator Justin Roiland joined Larry Hryb, Xbox’s Major Nelson, and explained why he chose to join the Game Pass line-up after having done “a lot of research” on the service.
“Before we decided to pull the trigger on it, I spoke with a handful of other studio folks who did Game Pass,” Roiland explained. “And I ultimately came to the conclusion based off of what I had heard that it is– it’s a value-add. Because essentially, there’s a lot of people that would otherwise not have picked up the game and played it.
“And those people, if you believe in what you’ve made, and you really you feel confident that you’ve made something special, or different– and we do with our game– those folks can become evangelists in a way for the title.”
We announced yesterday that High on Life has become Xbox Game Pass’ biggest launch of 2022, the biggest 3rd party Game Pass launch of all time, and the biggest release of a single player-only game in the service’s history.
"Because essentially, there’s a lot of people that would otherwise not have picked up the game and played it."
A lot of folks told me that non-Game Pass games that they ship versus Game Pass games, [they get] 7x sales.”
That's impressive to say the least. Very impressive. We're talking actually sales not just players either.
Exposure+ play time = profit. Plus digital sales that weren't on gamepass were apparently really good as well. 60$ is a very hard pill to swallow for me personally. Like I said the gameplay is just not doing it for me personally but I'll try and finish it.
Also. This game was the biggest gamepass launch ever. It makes you think, how will Starfield perform? Surely this game HAS to outdo this game?
The 7x statistic is interesting, people think GP reduces game sales, but it actually has the opposite effect - we've heard that from multiple developers now. Also, their future games will be GP games by the sounds of it.
I fully expect SF to break its record though, SF is a massive, massive game, probably the biggest to launch Day 1 on GP.
If marketed properly SF could see tremendous engagement and surpass High On Life. Especially if the game lives up to the hype.
So then why are not all games launching on game pass if it's such a slam dunk? Seems it would be no brainer if that were true and not just a tricky marketing ploy.
How do you even compare the same games sales? Comparing 2 different games one on gp and one not isnt going to give accurate metrics.
Oh silly Orchard. Haven’t you learned yet? Unless you’re bashing anything Microsoft does you can expect a wave of disagrees.
Almost as if some people treat their console of choice like some kind of holy relic not to be besmirched by the mention of the hideous green X that burns it like holy water.
It's probably more hit or miss. Rather then dude put your game on gamepass and it'll blow up.
Cboath
3rd party sales are probably down cause they don't buy games all like that. These guys at work only talk about gamepass games. I bet alot just don't buy games anymore.
@mkis... the simplest answer is, its up to the devs/pubs to make that decision. Obviously the more games the better, but it also comes with the risk that the more game the less likely people will see it. So in essence it is like netflix where some content gets more exposure through word of mouth and ranking while others go under the radar or only seen by a very niche audience.
In either case, the content creators are guaranteed a chance at making extra $$ on top of what they are contracted to receive up front. And this is due to the eventual removal of that content and the last marketing push to sell to those who can get it for a discount before its removed and placed in the regular digital store.
Gamepass has helped more than its hurt, there is no denying that as even big outfits like square have attested to. Im not even sure if there has been a report from a game creator that said putting their game on GP was a mistake. Maybe there is but I dont remember one.
If that were true most big newly anticipated to play A AA multiplats would be on GP but they're not. Most current games that land on GP are Indies & some AA titles like High On Life. Though I will admit GP is getting some interesting AA games in 2023 like Wo Long,Lies Of P & Atomic Heart.
The game was the third biggest Game Pass launch ever (behind Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5, I'd imagine), but it was the biggest third-party GP launch.
Haven't played it yet myself (wrapping up another game) but I'm very much looking forward to starting it soon
It was "the biggest 3rd party Game Pass launch of all time,"
Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 are both 1st party.
It is "Xbox Game Pass’ biggest launch of 2022,"
So between game pass launch and Dec 31st 2021, two 3rd party games had bigger launches.
So is this xbox spin and game pass numbers falling? ☺
Well done to Justin Roiland and the team.
Huh, PS?
Yeah, Halo and FH5 are 1st party, and yes too to High on Life being both the biggest 3rd party launch and 3rd biggest overall launch on Game Pass, as well as the biggest 2022 launch. But it wasn't the biggest launch ever.
"two 3rd party games had bigger launches" doesn't make any sense here. Nothing about spin or numbers either. Just a clarification and yes, very well done to the team at Squanch for what's being very well received by the Xbox community.
Found the Xbox post from 20th Dec.
"High on Life Is Xbox Game Pass’ Biggest 2022 Launch, and the Biggest 3rd Party Game Pass Launch Ever"
"High On Life is the biggest Game Pass release of 2022, the biggest 3rd party launch in Game Pass history, and the biggest single-player game launch on Game Pass ever. "
So that does mean that between game pass launch and Dec 31st 2021, two 3rd party games had bigger launches.
Justin uses a lot of words to say he wanted the security of a upfront check. Putting games Day 1 on Gamepass is a gamble. If the game blows up, you are missing out on hundreds or possibly millions of sales. On the other hand, if your game flies under the radar. That upfront check definitely will help to break even on the budget of the game. A plague tale requiem is a good example of Day 1 on Gamepass being a good thing. The game flew under the radar. Im sure that upfront check to launch day 1 on gamepass was the smart move in the end.
Whether it's a gamble or not, If a game does blow up- it will guarantee future sales for a sequel, dlc or revised editions of said game; it's easy for a lot of people to criticise decisions like this in some way, but there are few ways to guarantee a "successful" launch, which GP and Epic are directly involved in.
GP upfron check is definitely a safety blanket, but if your game bkows up .. you're missing out on them mio. of moneys.
thats what he basically said, they wanted the money from GP incase it bombs.
mkis0079h:
"So then why are not all games launching on game pass if it's such a slam dunk? Seems it would be no brainer if that were true and not just a tricky marketing ploy."
I don't think all new releases are right for GP. For some of the really big releases it probably doesn't make much sense as they already have a built in audience. The only time those work is if they are MS first party or if MS is willing to pay a lot of upfront cash. Even those can work sometimes as expansions and add-on's are not free and players are more likely to spend on those if they didn't have the upfront cost of buying the game at full price. Even for big games it can make sense to add after a period of time as most time the game is already discounted and it can result in a bump in overall sales.
I think the bottom line is it is a good thing for some devs and not for others. It is their choice.
What does "biggest game pass launch of 2022" even mean? Did it bring in the most new subscribers of 2022? Was it tried out by the most existing subscribers in 2022? Was it the most completed game pass game in 2022? Was it the most hyped game pass game in 2022? What? What are we even talking about? It's an ok game if you appreciate the humour ( which reaches it's limits ) but it's not even close to the AAA games promised years ago ( from first party nonetheless ) every QUARTER for this service. And after a whole barren year this....THIS....is what Microsoft cheerleaders are praising?? As some kind of milestone?? Yet they all scratch their heads wondering "uhh duhhh....why ek bok no got game like god of war and spooderman". Look in the mirror....that's the reason.
High On Life is the biggest Game Pass release of 2022, the biggest 3rd party launch in Game Pass history, and the biggest single-player game launch on Game Pass ever.
High On Life is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Windows, and is available as part of Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
Today, we’re happy to announce that High On Life — the comedy-shooter featuring charismatic talking guns from Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland’s Squanch Games — is Xbox Game Pass’ biggest launch of 2022, the biggest 3rd party Game Pass launch of all time, and the biggest release of a single player-only game in the service’s history. Those stats are measured in terms of engagement, based on the number of hours played in the first five days of release.
Yes the majority of reviews were mediocre. Guess reviewers can’t take some humor in games.
Not sure thats fair.
Im enjoying it as a R&M fan. But I can still see why its not everyones cut of tea. Humour is subjective. I can easily see some of my friends giving it 5/10 and some giving it 10/10 (or anywhere in between). Thats "jokes", its individual.
Like it or not, i commend them for being decisive and sticking with the direction.
I agree comedy is a very underrepresented genre in gaming and it’s great to see developers take a risk and do something like this a game that’s full on comedy not just jokes here and there. It’s a fantastic amazing game. But comedy is subjective it’s a hard thing to really get a good general consensus of.
But it seems like this is the sleeper hit of 2022 it’s super popular and has great word of mouth. This is one of those games where users and some critics differ vastly.
I don't think it's the humour, maybe they personally just didn't like it.
I mean I think it sounds like my type of humour but if everything else is average then it won't make me go "Oh I'll ignore the flaws, 9/10"
yes it is the humor. I can't stand neurotic comedy, ergo I hate the constant ramblings in Rick n Morty. I tried the game but couldn't stand the banter of the guns after awhile. I know in the menus I can tone down/turn off the dialogue, but then I'm left with a mediocre FPS with a stupid plot. It is the humor. IF you like R & M give it a shot. If you don't.....well I hope you tried it on GP
But besides the jokes the games is pretty good , combat feels good and the replay ability is there … you can also tone the jokes down in the menu
I'm having a good time with it but I recognize the humour won't be for everyone. One thing I really love though is the COLOUR everywhere. It's so nice to sit back and play a shooter that doesn't look bland or hyper realistic.
I'm not siding with any party here but myself personally can't get into R&M no matter how much I tried. so the jokes here most probably would elude me too
Oh I thought you guys were experts on compelling dialogue… you telling me you don’t understand/empathize with their gripes?!
Really?
I think humour is the only thing saving this game.
If it wasn't for Rick and Morty would this game even get a second look? Would it stand on its own shooter legs?
Yep I'm with you, humour was the only good thing about it, every thing else was bang average.
You got people put here acting like it some master piece and the only reason people don't like it is cause of the humour lol.
Its a 7 out 10, 7.5 at bestt, shows you the desepration the blind fans propping up the discourse around a game that isn't even good.
Plenty of copium going on around here.
I just don’t find the game very funny. But I also don’t find it funny when characters just ramble on for a while or announce the obvious. It’s not for me.
I just don’t think they know how to critique a game, that or they don’t know what a good game is from a mediocre one.
Have you watched the movie on the TV at your house. They are supposed to have 4 full length movies you can watch. The Paul Walker and Denes Richards movie is awful. Lol
I thought part of the souring towards the game was because of the AI artwork/voice-work.
This is a bad take as an argument as to why reviewers called the game mediocre. Same as saying reviewers can't take progressive storytelling or conservative ideology. It's purely subjective.
I'm not sitting here asking for more Claptrap comedy, personally, but certainly there are people out there who want more. Comedy isn't just one thing.
the game is actually a fun fps, humor requires getting used to, and the graphics are good and very colorful, the only problem is 4k very high is hit/miss with an RTX 3090, the optimization is poor
Started playing it the other day. It takes certain liberties and influences from many other games and that is really cool to see. I dont know which is funnier, the knife or the gun. both have their moments.
It’s the knife for me, he’s a total maniac and it’s hilarious.
And I’m not gonna lie - being Australian just makes him even funnier 😂
Isn't it because people would rather have Gamepass to try it rather than hearing it about the mixed reviews and buying it full price.
I mean cool I guess, but it feels like a little bit of a spin to hype Gamepass....you know the service they played down to Sony just a little while ago.
Does it really matter why though? They launched a game, people are loving it, engagement is high, their game is a success. That’s all that matters.
And GP doesn’t need hype, it already has hype, just talk to anyone who’s been using it for the past few years.
There’s a reason why Sony copied it - if it didn’t have hype they wouldn’t have.
Hopefully the success of the game means we’ll get a sequel.
Sony actually had psnow first before gamepass. Gamepass actually copied Sony and tweeked it. Being a trillion dollar company they can put day one games on their from their studios. It wont last forever though. Especially when they still can't keep up with Sony. Mind you they haven't released any ms studio games but like 3. Halo, forward, and pentinment(another 10 out of 10 bs score)
@Orchard
Seriously were you born recently? You do know both PS+ and PS Now have all existed long before GamePass right? Maybe in whatever world you come from GP came first. But combining two existing services into 3 tiers (Which GP doesn't have) is not copying GP
I’m aware that PSNow existed, but let’s be honest, it was dead, old games and a different model. In the time it existed it only managed about 5-10% of the subs that GP had mustered in far less time.
So Sony saw the popularity of GP and took the opportunity to copy GP, merge the services and offer PS+ premium tiers.
While it still doesn’t have 1st party day 1 titles, it has some day 1 titles.
The game may be played by a large amount of GP subscribers but was it a success far as retail digital sales only?
@Tracy
Does that matter? Dollars are dollars - it doesn’t matter if they came from sales or from GamePass.
If anything, for a new IP, visibility is the most important thing. So they were also smart to get this into GP.
Money from GP & retail sales are different,the very reason newly released AAA multiplat games never really land on subscription services. PS Now doesn't even put their newly released first party exclusives on their service. The game may be a hit on GP because people didn't have to pay retail price but did a slew of people buy the game at retail price on PC & Xbox consoles where it really counts. I'm for one who didn't pay & I'm quite sure you & many others didn't either.
“ Money from GP & retail sales are different”
Is it? Do we know that? How much did they pay for HoL?
Unless we have that info, you can’t make such a statement.
Where in the story did you find that people are loving it?
I'm sure a few does, I even liked it the first two hours, but that's not what the story is about, is it?
The story is about GamePass subscribers have downloaded the game.
Most likely because there haven't been that many great games lately on GamePass, except Plague Tale.
@Tracey just because a game is on gamepass doesn’t automatically make it a success .. lol it’s obvious you don’t have gamepass so why are you even speaking on it lol High on Life is just a good game and it’s a shame you can’t enjoy it
"you know the service they played down to Sony just a little while ago." you mean the service that Sony hyped up just awhile ago? lol
Having a blast with it so far. Highly recommend picking this up if you haven’t already - it’ll make you laugh more than any other game.
man thay waited for a year to play any new HD game, grats for the fans hopefully they enjoyed it and got there 120-180$ worth of games.
Yikes..... thats gunna leave a scar. The levels of the output of xbox vs the ps and Nintendo is vast. Imagine championing games like this as a must haves to demonstrate why the worlds most powerful console trumps what the other boys release. It really is a thing that xbox fans set higher standards for others than they do their own.
I'm still pissed at MS lack of output and they still need to prove to me that the games they got are real with release dates. But what your saying Here is really not that serious. It's just a bunch of Rrick and Morty fans playing the game. Or anyone thats curious about it.
This doesn't set some new standards on Xbox or anything like that.
Definitely needs some 1st party output on there, 3rd party is covered very well.
I don’t agree with ‘make or break’ at all. Very sensationalist headline. It’s already pretty successful as it is. Not to say more big games wouldn’t help of course but hardly going to break the service if they aren’t there.
One year can be great but the next year could hurt it . It’s needs to make money long term and 1 year won’t make too much if a difference in the end . MS has had a a decent year here and there just to screw it up for a few in a row adlfrer that . MS needs 5-10 good years in a row
lol right when they already knew a huge game from Bethesda is coming to the service day 1, they came up with this atrocious article. there is no such thing as make-or-break for a service like GP with the backing of MS's wallet. they will just throw money at it because this is the basket that they've decided to put all their eggs into going forward.