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In recent weeks Microsoft's gaming division has once again been in the spotlight. Reports of possible layoffs and problems at some studios have sparked a broad discussion about the future of Xbox. Industry conversations increasingly include Game Pass and the viability of the subscription model. Thomas Mahler, head of Moon Studios, the studio behind the Ori series, decided to share his view. His comments quickly sparked a heated debate among players and developers.
Game Pass had a chance to succeed, but it lacked major releases
According to Thomas Mahler, the idea of Game Pass itself wasn't doomed to fail. He said the problem arose when the service didn't get enough titles that could regularly convince players to keep paying the subscription. Mahler compared the situation to the streaming-platform market, where users pay for access to standout series and films. In his view the same principle applies to the games industry. Players are willing to pay monthly if they're confident they'll get access to titles the whole world is talking about. Mahler believes Xbox lacked those kinds of launches. He pointed out that many studios owned by Microsoft failed to deliver hits that met expectations. As an example he cited Bethesda and Starfield, which many players say didn't reach the cult status of Skyrim. According to the developer, the platform needed games that were true cultural events that would draw millions of users. Without such titles it's hard to maintain dynamic subscriber growth. Mahler also stressed that new releases matter a great deal to players, and a library of older titles alone isn't enough to build long-term interest in the service. In his view this was Microsoft's biggest problem. Even the best business model needs regular hits to drive interest across the whole ecosystem.
A Controversial Comparison and the Broader Subscription Problem
However, the comparison of Game Pass to communism provoked the strongest reactions. Mahler said systems like this can curb the motivation to create exceptional titles if developers don’t receive the proper incentives to exceed expectations. According to him, developers need a strong reason to strive for the next big hit, not just a competent game that meets minimum requirements. In practice, that means building a model that rewards success and high quality. It’s worth noting, however, that many experts point to a slightly different issue. Game Pass has regularly received highly rated titles, including franchises like Forza Horizon, Indiana Jones, and new DOOM installments. Microsoft has also tried to leverage the huge popularity of the Call of Duty series. Some analysts therefore believe the challenge runs deeper and stems from the very nature of subscription services. The biggest hits can cannibalize traditional game sales, while smaller titles are not always able to attract new subscribers. That makes finding the ideal balance especially difficult. Additionally, not all problems with individual games can be directly linked to Game Pass. Starfield is an example: its development began before Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda. The debate over the service’s future therefore continues, and opinions on its impact on the industry remain deeply divided.
Thomas Mahler believes Game Pass could have been far more successful if Xbox had regularly delivered games that became global hits. According to him, there was a lack of titles that would encourage players to keep paying for the subscription for a long time. At the same time, the debate shows that the problems of subscription services can be much more complex than just the quality of the available games.
source: wccftech
