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Xbox Game Pass has long been regarded as one of the biggest advantages of Microsoft's ecosystem. It is precisely thanks to the regular addition of games from external publishers that the service has gained millions of subscribers around the world. However, recent reports suggest the company's strategy may be changing. According to sources within the industry, Microsoft has halted talks over new deals with independent studios. For now, it is unclear whether this is merely 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 Modern Wolf studio head 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 halted advanced talks about adding new games to Xbox Game Pass. Some studios were already at the final stage of negotiations, but the process was reportedly stopped unexpectedly. Rizo emphasised that, in his view, Microsoft is simply analysing the future direction of the service. He added that one of the deals previously signed by his studio might have been among the last concluded before the negotiations were halted. So far Microsoft has not officially responded to these reports. It is also unclear how many developers may have been affected by the decision. If the reports prove true, this could mean significant changes in the way the Game Pass catalogue is expanded. It is worth remembering, however, that these are currently only unofficial reports from industry sources.
Game Pass could undergo a major reorganisation
In recent months there has been a lot of speculation about the future of Xbox Game Pass. According to earlier leaks, Microsoft is considering creating a new subscription tier that would include only games made by first‑party studios within Xbox Game Studios. At the same time the company is increasingly emphasising that Game Pass is primarily meant to attract new users in more price‑sensitive markets. Recently Microsoft also decided to change the rules regarding releases in the Call of Duty series, limiting access to new instalments in some subscription tiers. There are also reports of a possible future combining of the PC Game Pass and the Xbox Game Pass offerings. All this could indicate that the current pause in negotiations is just part of a broader overhaul of the whole service. For players, however, this means a period of uncertainty about future releases available through the subscription. Until Microsoft presents official plans, all information should be treated solely as speculation. The coming months should show which direction one of the most important subscriptions in the games industry will take.
Unofficial reports suggest that Microsoft has halted talks about adding games from third-party studios to Xbox Game Pass. This could signal major changes to the service's strategy, although the company has not yet confirmed these reports.
source: techpowerup
