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Xbox Game Pass has long been regarded as one of the biggest strengths of Microsoft's ecosystem. It is precisely thanks to the regular addition of games from third-party publishers that the service has attracted millions of subscribers around the world. However, the latest reports suggest the company's strategy may be changing. According to sources within the industry, Microsoft has paused talks on new deals with independent studios. For now it's unclear whether this is only a temporary decision or the start of a larger reorganisation of Game Pass.
Microsoft reportedly halted new deals with external studios
The information comes from the podcast The Business of Video Games, in which former head of Modern Wolf, Fernando Rizo, and the CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, Shams Jorjani, spoke. According to Rizo, during recent meetings with industry representatives he heard that Microsoft had suddenly paused advanced negotiations about placing new games on Xbox Game Pass. Some studios were already at the final stage of talks, but the process was reportedly stopped unexpectedly. Rizo emphasised that, in his view, Microsoft is simply analysing the service’s future direction. He also added that one of the deals previously signed by his studio might have been among the last sealed before the negotiations were paused. So far Microsoft has not officially commented on these reports. It’s also unclear how many developers may have been affected by the decision. If the information proves true, it could mean significant changes in how the Game Pass library is developed. It’s worth remembering, however, that these are currently only unofficial reports from industry sources.
Game Pass could undergo a major reorganisation
There has been a lot of speculation in recent months about the future of Xbox Game Pass. According to earlier leaks, Microsoft is considering creating a new subscription tier that would include only games developed by studios owned by Xbox Game Studios. At the same time the company is increasingly stressing that Game Pass is primarily meant to attract new users in more price-sensitive markets. Recently Microsoft also changed the rules around premieres of the Call of Duty series, restricting access to new releases in some subscription options. There are also reports of a possible combining of the PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass offerings in the future. All this could suggest that the current pause in negotiations is just part of a broader overhaul of the whole service. For players, though, it means a period of uncertainty about which future releases will be available through the subscription. Until Microsoft lays out official plans, all information should be treated as purely speculative. The coming months should show which direction one of the most important subscriptions in the games industry will take.
Unofficial reports suggest Microsoft has paused talks about adding games from external studios to Xbox Game Pass. This could herald broader changes to the service's strategy, although the company has not yet confirmed these reports.
source: techpowerup
