Xbox Game Pass continues to be a major focus for Microsoft. Just a few days ago, they announced that Halo: The Master Chief Collection will be available starting September 1st for all subscribers. Moreover, there's now an Xbox Game Pass beta app available on Android and iOS that lets members browse the entire catalog and even download games directly to their Xbox One console. Last but not least, until August 31 you can get one month of Xbox Game Pass for just $2 (or the equivalent local currency) and receive a second month for free in nearly all countries where Xbox Game Pass is available (except Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Quebec).
Speaking with Variety, Ben Decker, Head of Gaming Services at Microsoft, said that he doesn't believe Xbox Game Pass will be a replacement for full game purchases. Rather, it's going to be another option.
Sometimes there is a narrative around either subscribe or buy, but we want to make sure it’s a mixed ecosystem. For gaming to be healthy you want to create choice for developers and for customers. Game Pass is a great way to do that with customers. It’s simply an opportunity for discovery. I don’t see it replacing purchase to own.
Decker than went ahead to say that it's ultimately more about the quality than the sheer quantity of the games available through the service.
It’s more about balancing content. We want to make sure there is something for everyone. We want to retain a highly curated catalog so that we think every game in the catalog is great.
Initially, we thought that number was going to be really important. But what we hear now is, ‘I don’t want thousands and thousands of games, I want really good games.’
Ashley McKissick, head of Xbox Game Pass, added:
We think of it more as a membership than a subscription. We are constantly looking at ways to add value. Game Pass members get discounted DLC. That doesn’t exist in Netflix’s world.
Are you a subscriber and if not, why is that? Tell us in the comments!
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
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