Game Pass

Opinion

Microsoft's Xbox transition moves into high gear | Opinion

With a campaign about Xbox as a cross-platform service and "no red lines" for first-party on other platforms, the change to Microsoft's games business speeds to a conclusion

Nov. 15, 2024 Rob Fahey

Opinion

Black Ops 6 does the business for Microsoft | Opinion

Call of Duty's performance is exactly what Microsoft needed from the landmark franchise, and points the way to the future of its games business

Nov. 1, 2024 Rob Fahey

Opinion

Black Ops 6 is make-or-break for the Game Pass strategy | Opinion

A year after buying Activision Blizzard, Microsoft finally has a Game Pass launch exclusive for Call of Duty. How this plays out will weigh heavily on its future strategy

Oct. 18, 2024 Rob Fahey

News

Xbox confirms Game Pass tiers Standard will wait "up to 12 months+" for first-party games

Up until now, it was not been clear how long Standard subscribers would have to wait

Aug. 21, 2024 Vikki Blake

News

Microsoft decries FTC's "misleading" claims of "degraded" Game Pass

Platform holder asserts that it is "common for businesses to change service offerings over time"

July 22, 2024 James Batchelor

News

FTC criticises Xbox Game Pass price increases

"[This] is exactly the sort of consumer harm from the merger the FTC has alleged," it said

July 19, 2024 Sophie McEvoy

News

Why is Xbox increasing the price of Game Pass? | Microcast

Latest episode available to download or watch now

July 16, 2024 James Batchelor

Opinion

Price hike shows Xbox is determined to make Game Pass work | Opinion

The price rises reflects the need for profitability and the strength of Xbox's first-party line-up

July 11, 2024 Christopher Dring

News

Xbox increases Game Pass prices, introduces new tier

The new Standard option won't include titles releasing on the platform at launch

July 10, 2024 Marie Dealessandri

News

Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to Amazon Fire TV in select markets

Partnership begins next month, enables players in 25 countries to stream games via their Fire TV Stick

June 27, 2024 James Batchelor

News

Report: Microsoft to add next Call of Duty title to Game Pass

The official announcement is expected during next month's Xbox Games Showcase

May 17, 2024 Jeffrey Rousseau

News

Palworld is biggest third-party Xbox Game Pass launch | News-in-brief

Pocketpair's hit reaches seven million players on Xbox via Game Pass, and 19 million across all platforms

Feb. 1, 2024 GamesIndustry.biz Staff

Opinion

Not everyone bows to the inevitability of subscription models | Opinion

Larian boss Swen Vincke is the latest industry figure to push back against subscription models; the growing mess in TV and movies makes clear why that perspective is important

Jan. 19, 2024 Rob Fahey

News

Game Pass would fare better on PC and mobile than PlayStation and Nintendo | Microcast

Latest episode available to download now, also discusses Microsoft's mobile store plans and the companies refocusing on their core strengths

Dec. 4, 2023 GamesIndustry.biz Staff

Opinion

You shall not (Game) Pass | Opinion

Microsoft's CFO reiterates a vision for Game Pass on rival consoles – but the obstacles make it a near-impossibility, and go far deeper than questions of revenue sharing

Dec. 1, 2023 Rob Fahey

News

Activision Blizzard expects to add games to Game Pass next year

Modern Warfare 3 or Diablo 4 won't hit subscription service this year, despite expected closure of Microsoft acquisition

Oct. 10, 2023 James Batchelor

News

Xbox leak reveals estimated costs of AAA games on Game Pass

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was valued at $300 million and considered a "crown jewel"

Sept. 20, 2023 Sophie McEvoy

News

Most Xbox Game Pass subscribers pay full price

Court documents also show Game Pass had almost double the userbase as Xbox Live Gold in April 2022

Sept. 19, 2023 James Batchelor

Academy

Comparing space oranges and zero-G apples: A deep dive into Everspace's Steam launch

Rockfish CEO Michael Schade busts some myths around Steam Early Access, wishlists, pricing, Game Pass, and more

May 10, 2023 Michael Schade

Feature

Redfall | Critical Consensus

Polished world-building doesn't save Arkane's latest title from a very lukewarm reception

May 3, 2023 Marie Dealessandri

News

Xbox launches PC Game Pass in 40 new countries | News-in-brief

The service had opened to 40 new countries in February, now adding another batch

April 12, 2023 GamesIndustry.biz Staff

Feature

Xbox’s Chris Charla: Game Pass isn’t disruptive

ID@Xbox chief says business concerns over subscriptions are normal and healthy

March 30, 2023 Christopher Dring

Opinion

Microsoft in Brussels: Sound and fury, signifying nothing | Opinion

A slick presentation to the European Commission may sway regulators to support the Activision deal – but Microsoft’s much-vaunted concessions don’t address key concerns

Feb. 24, 2023 Rob Fahey

News

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Friends & Family plan adds six countries | News-in-brief

After Ireland and Colombia, the service is now available in Chile, Hungary, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sweden

Feb. 22, 2023 GamesIndustry.biz Staff

Opinion

What would a Game Pass dominated landscape look like? | Opinion

Nobody is surprised by Microsoft's admission that Game Pass cannibalises paid sales, and many companies are untroubled – but a potential monopsony remains a threat for others

Feb. 17, 2023 Rob Fahey