IF Gears 5 and Halo 6(for example) are available day one.... I might try it for 1 month but they don't have much in that caliber right now to make me even consider it for $9.99(plus tax) a month.
Xbox Game Pass - PC And Ultimate - News, Stuff And Recommendations
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If they make QUALITY exclusives that are exclusive to that service.... It will die fast and I will sell my X.
Which is the bigger deterrent for you? The quantity of the games on offer or the entry price?
If it were 500 games for $9.99 would that be a bigger attractor for you than 150 games at $4.99?
Dude, you haven't owned an Xbox for years I thought?
It seems like great value, to catch up on the games you've missed for $10 a month. Even if you only get it for the 4 months that Crackdown, Sea of Thieves, and whatever the other exclusives are, you've saved yourself (theoretically) $200 from getting your fun out of them.
How is that bad value?
Not only that, but on the side, you get your chance to dabble with all the other games that are on there as a side bonus, regardless if you're interested in them or not.
You seem to sell your stuff on relatively quickly, so I've no idea if you keep your games, or went digital, but if you fancied a game of Halo 5, and had already sold it, it's there.
I'm all for whatever gets us more games at the end of the day. The question will be is Microsoft actually going to heavily invest in their own content like Netflix does to really sell the service. Having 100's of games to play for $10 a month is valuable to begin with. But if i can buy all of them on the cheap for $5 each or i've already played most of them it's not going to matter much.
Good for them though. You either adapt or you perish and if this strategy works then Sony will follow along and we'll all be better off. Going all digital is the future and that was Microsoft's target in the first place. This will only fuel the idea that Xbox is ready to go full service and third party though. So if you're an Xbox fanboy, watch out.
Good for them though. You either adapt or you perish and if this strategy works then Sony will follow along and we'll all be better off. Going all digital is the future and that was Microsoft's target in the first place. This will only fuel the idea that Xbox is ready to go full service and third party though. So if you're an Xbox fanboy, watch out.
I haven't owned a what?
Those games listed are not close to worth getting the service for.
I already own the games I like on the X.
For me, if I had to choose one, I'd take the $4.99 option assuming it has some good games I like. 500 is overkill.
At $4.99/mth or $60/yr, I'd do it if it was only 4-5 games I really like.
MS is going to make a ton on this and I bet the attach rate for the subscription is going to be high. And it would not surprise me if MS keeps on adding additional value adds as it becomes bigger and more profitable. And stable, consistent revenue streams is super healthy for a industry that relies upon a few hits to fund everything else. MS might be in position to green light games they might not otherwise would similar to how the movie industry chases halo projects for industry acclaim that might not have the biggest market for them.
I don't see 500 or even 150 titles I would want to own on ANY platform enough to pay what they are asking.
Game Pass is good value right off the bat, and the first party launch games is an excellent bonus. But not everyone cares about a subscription plan, or cares about the added value of MS franchises.
I haven't done it as I only focus on a small number of games now and Game Pass' library is already full of free GWG games Gold gamers get already.
Even better is that Game Pass can be home shared though.
So really, the costs are split with a trusty friend or family member.
A gamer who likes MS titles and a catalog of games makes GP an extremely enticing value. If they are willing to do home share with someone and split the costs, a total no brainer.
I already have XBL and EA access and both are cheaper(cheaper combined as well) and more valuable to me.
It's just Val bro. He argues for the sake of arguing. Looking at my SNES classic right now that has 200 games on it from 1993 and thinking if i really had to.. i'd probably pay $10 a month to be able to use this thing. Such an amazing little machine.
This is the future, and anyone arguing otherwise is a fool. It's already a great value, now Microsoft just needs to step up and deliver the games. Either way, it's the way to go if you want an all digital future. I'll be signing up for Game Pass soon.
They still make smartphones and walkmans? I remember the last one I saw was some lil dongle looking thing of an MP3 player.
I can’t see MS dropping out of the hardware game for games. They still have a strong presence in the living room, not including their laptops or tablets.
MS could be placing the parts together for a possible future where they don’t need a current dedicated hardware, but as an option. Many other outside forces have to be taken into consideration (ie net neutrality, data caps, etc) for what ever that writer speculates in their future.
Jez from Windows Central said that some 3rd party developers have expressed they aren't happy with this. Also doesn't seem like Microsoft cares. They're gearing up to make the service available on everything once streaming is viable.
My take...Microsoft is going all in on being a service rather than console maker. The next console they offer will be just one of many methods for gamers to access the Xbox Ecosystem much like the Fire Stick and Apple TV are only a couple ways to access the Amazon and Apple ecosystems. Will be interesting if Nintendo or Steam allows Microsoft to sell Game Pass on their platforms with cross-play.
Math:
Numbers work when factoring 1st party. Biggest risk is some 3rd party developers will go all in on Sony since Sony's current model works best for them. Sony will likely get more 3rd party exclusives going forward. Microsoft's 1st party and overall ecosystem will get much better.
My take...Microsoft is going all in on being a service rather than console maker. The next console they offer will be just one of many methods for gamers to access the Xbox Ecosystem much like the Fire Stick and Apple TV are only a couple ways to access the Amazon and Apple ecosystems. Will be interesting if Nintendo or Steam allows Microsoft to sell Game Pass on their platforms with cross-play.
Math:
- AAA games cost 30 to 50 million a year to make depending on marketing budgets, actors, etc.
- If a AAA game is in development 3 to 5 years, it needs to sell 3 to 5 million copies to make just a little money. Many AAA budget games don't achieve that.
- If Microsoft could convert 20% of their base to the service over the next 3 years (post new Halo and Gears), they'd be looking at approximately 10 million subscribers...or 1.2 billion dollars.
- 1.2 billion dollars could subsidize 6 to 10 AAA games a year. If they include smaller arcade games and AA games in the mix, they could theoretically release a AAA game a quarter and mix in smaller games the other months
Numbers work when factoring 1st party. Biggest risk is some 3rd party developers will go all in on Sony since Sony's current model works best for them. Sony will likely get more 3rd party exclusives going forward. Microsoft's 1st party and overall ecosystem will get much better.
They'll provide consoles. Spencer has said Microsoft realizes that some gamers will only play on consoles. When they provide consoles in the future, it'll just be an option. No an only option or even the primary option. Just one option. You don't need an Apple Computer to play your Itunes.
The third parties signed up with Game Pass can’t be upset. They are partners and if MS doesn’t have confidence in Game Pass then why should they?
And why would 3rd parties care if MS launched their first party games on Game Pass? It's MS' games. If it turns out they lose money on this instead of people buying $60 Halos and Forzas, that's their balance sheet to worry about.
Now if 3rd parties are worried that so many people are going to sign up for GP, gamers will be too busy playing MS games and old games and never bother buying their new CoD or FIFA etc.... they should have nothing to worry about.
Gamers will still buy new Destinys, EA Sports etc..... Nobody said 3rd parties have to put their new game on GP. Just like EA doesn't put the latest games on EA Access until the following year and it's fine for them. FIFAs, BF, and such all sell great at full price even though people can just spend $30 and get all the old games for free. But that still hasn't stopped millions of new copies selling for full pop.
And a lot of the most poplar games and franchises aren't even on GP.
Netflix has older movies and their own new tv shows originating from them. That doesn't stop blockbuster movies from making $100s of million at theaters.
Now if MS is forcing 3rd parties to join them and release launch games on GP, that's a totally different take. But right now, I see nothing that says MS is forcing them to match what they are doing with launch games.
I can only speculate but I'm guessing it's different for each publisher. People will still buy GTA, Madden and COD but I'm guessing the next tier could struggle even more if/when this ever goes mainstream and they aren't part of a service.
Additional opportunities with Game Pass if it takes off:
- Episodic games catching on - instead of waiting years for a full release, developers could release a level every few months. What if we don't have to wait 4 years to play Perfect Dark and instead the first level is available in 2019?
- More high quality Indies like Inside or Cuphead
- Persistent worlds MMO style without additional MMO monthly fees
I'm not a fan of episodic content. I'd rather play a game that is complete (or mostly complete). But with a subscription plan, I guess that's what we may get for future games.
I wonder what MS has in store for this service. Simply adding MS first party launch games isn't the whole thing.
I can see the next offering being some kind of Gold bundling. One set price for Game Pass and Gold at a discounted price.
Don't know how MS make money on this as I'll just pay the £8 sub for the month of each games release.
Thanks MS for saving me £30+ on your exclusives.
Thanks MS for saving me £30+ on your exclusives.
I agree $9.99 is a little above the impulse buy threshold compared to EAA...but it's like a dozen publishers vs 1, it's a better value in breadth.
IMO a tiered service where we have half of the 150 or so games in one bracket (Bracket A) and the other 75 in another (Bracket B) for $4.99 each would be ideal.
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Well, yeah. I don't care if they're making the money from a gold s***ting unicorn..if I can get their new exclusives day one for a cheap price with a growing catalog of other games..best believe, I'm going to get that service.
He is a Sony troll. He bought an X1X to appear to be unbiased, but he shreds it literally every chance he can. He isn't fooling anyone.
Phil interview:
When I spoke to him on the phone earlier this week, he explained some of the nuance behind the Xbox Game Pass program and where he sees subscription services going when it comes to gaming. The following is that conversation, lightly edited for clarity:
Ben Gilbert, Business Insider: If I'm EA or Activision or whatever — a so-called "third-party" game publisher — why would I put my games on Xbox Game Pass at launch? Is that even a goal here?
Phil Spencer, Microsoft executive VP of gaming (head of Xbox): Just like I say on the gamer's side about choice, I just look at us just giving our publishers and our developers choice as well. I'm not here to dictate the terms of how they deliver content and what avenues they choose. I think you're right that when you look at a big third-party, whether they're gonna look at shipping their games day and date in Game Pass is the option for them will be based on their business, not my business. For gamers themselves, the commitment I can make is to ship our first-party games into Game Pass.
But I will say from a discussion with third parties, I think everybody is excited about the innovation here. Because everybody has seen how subscriptions like Netflix and Spotify have brought in more listeners or more watchers or, in our case, more players. But how they will evolve their business choices will be up to them over time. Today, a majority of the games that are in Game Pass, but as you say, they're not day and date games — they're games that've been out for a longer period of time.
Phil Spencer speaking during an Xbox One press briefing at the game industry's annual trade show, E3.Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
BG: And that of course appeals to some people — a kind of "instant library" of games. But demand for newer games is exactly what drove Microsoft to institute this new policy for first-party games going forward. What, if anything, is Microsoft doing to get third-party games on Game Pass closer to launch?
PS: We're still within the first year of launch of Game Pass. The response has been great. We're continuing to learn and listen and have conversations with our third-party partners — and our customers, frankly — about things that they would like to see. I'm bullish on Game Pass' long term potential to allow people to play the games they want on the devices they want. And I think that, as we continue to build the audience for Game Pass, our discussions with third parties will continue to grow.
Game Pass wouldn't happen today without the third-party support we have. I think it's critical. And as we make these moves our third parties are right there asking what we learned.
And that's getting to a bit of another topic, but something that's worth hitting on: As I look at our first-party and the things that we want to do, one of the things that I've really been focused on over the last couple of years is how do we make sure our first-party is doing innovative things that can help expand the market for everybody. Not necessarily just going after genres where third-parties have success today, but can we try to do new things. This obviously isn't something a first-party is doing with their game specifically — it's just how a game launches — but it's an opportunity for us to take our first party, try something that's great for consumers, learn from that, share that with third-parties, and continue to grow the business.
And I think that's a critical role for us as a first-party publisher.
BG: Given that it's been about six months since launch, how has it been so far in terms of pick-up? Are you releasing any numbers today in terms of how many people are using Game Pass?
PS: We're not releasing any numbers. I will say that this is playing to a strength that we see on our platform. We've had a really great response to Game Pass, so that the customer voice in what's going on with Game Pass from our subscribers is something that we're very tuned into right now.
Select game from third-party publishers like WB and Capcom are available through Game Pass.Microsoft
We look at this opportunity as something that, one, is a strength of our console — because it's available there. But also in the longer run with things like Mixer, and putting "Minecraft" on all platforms with cross-play. We're very much about reaching the gamer where they want to play, and in this case it's letting those games reach the gamer in the way they want to be reached.
So, I apologize for not announcing a number today. I will say that we're very, very happy with the success we've had with Game Pass, and we see this as a way of further investing into something that's working.
BG: What's the long-term goal for Game Pass? Do you think it, or something like it, will replace more traditional means of getting games (buying in a store/downloading)?
PS: I think it's a good question, and it's actually a good vein of conversation, because some people will draw almost a one-to-one analogy between a PlayStation Now or a Game Pass with a Netflix or something. Forget about one being download and one being streamed, but more that subscription model.
I think that business model diversity in video games is a strength of video games. It's something we should all make sure we don't take for granted, that when customers find a great game and they love it that they're willing to continue to invest in that game. And, frankly, when they're not, they're pretty vocal about not liking the business model diversity. We've seen some of that even in the last few months.
But that diversity that we have in our space is a real strength. We're not dependent upon one business model — there are games on your phone that solely exist because of ads and advertising. There are models out there that are completely based on the day one purchase of a game, and those games can be incredibly successful. We should love that.
And then we look at free-to-play, and episodic, and things like subscriptions — we should all take it as a real strength of the video game business that we're able to support so many different business models in a healthy way. I think it really provides a strength and foundation for a craft and a business that I love, that will keep us strong for decades to come. And not all media have that opportunity.
http://www.businessinsider.com/xbox-one-netflix-of-gaming-interview-phil-spencer-2018-1
When I spoke to him on the phone earlier this week, he explained some of the nuance behind the Xbox Game Pass program and where he sees subscription services going when it comes to gaming. The following is that conversation, lightly edited for clarity:
Ben Gilbert, Business Insider: If I'm EA or Activision or whatever — a so-called "third-party" game publisher — why would I put my games on Xbox Game Pass at launch? Is that even a goal here?
Phil Spencer, Microsoft executive VP of gaming (head of Xbox): Just like I say on the gamer's side about choice, I just look at us just giving our publishers and our developers choice as well. I'm not here to dictate the terms of how they deliver content and what avenues they choose. I think you're right that when you look at a big third-party, whether they're gonna look at shipping their games day and date in Game Pass is the option for them will be based on their business, not my business. For gamers themselves, the commitment I can make is to ship our first-party games into Game Pass.
But I will say from a discussion with third parties, I think everybody is excited about the innovation here. Because everybody has seen how subscriptions like Netflix and Spotify have brought in more listeners or more watchers or, in our case, more players. But how they will evolve their business choices will be up to them over time. Today, a majority of the games that are in Game Pass, but as you say, they're not day and date games — they're games that've been out for a longer period of time.
BG: And that of course appeals to some people — a kind of "instant library" of games. But demand for newer games is exactly what drove Microsoft to institute this new policy for first-party games going forward. What, if anything, is Microsoft doing to get third-party games on Game Pass closer to launch?
PS: We're still within the first year of launch of Game Pass. The response has been great. We're continuing to learn and listen and have conversations with our third-party partners — and our customers, frankly — about things that they would like to see. I'm bullish on Game Pass' long term potential to allow people to play the games they want on the devices they want. And I think that, as we continue to build the audience for Game Pass, our discussions with third parties will continue to grow.
Game Pass wouldn't happen today without the third-party support we have. I think it's critical. And as we make these moves our third parties are right there asking what we learned.
And that's getting to a bit of another topic, but something that's worth hitting on: As I look at our first-party and the things that we want to do, one of the things that I've really been focused on over the last couple of years is how do we make sure our first-party is doing innovative things that can help expand the market for everybody. Not necessarily just going after genres where third-parties have success today, but can we try to do new things. This obviously isn't something a first-party is doing with their game specifically — it's just how a game launches — but it's an opportunity for us to take our first party, try something that's great for consumers, learn from that, share that with third-parties, and continue to grow the business.
And I think that's a critical role for us as a first-party publisher.
BG: Given that it's been about six months since launch, how has it been so far in terms of pick-up? Are you releasing any numbers today in terms of how many people are using Game Pass?
PS: We're not releasing any numbers. I will say that this is playing to a strength that we see on our platform. We've had a really great response to Game Pass, so that the customer voice in what's going on with Game Pass from our subscribers is something that we're very tuned into right now.
We look at this opportunity as something that, one, is a strength of our console — because it's available there. But also in the longer run with things like Mixer, and putting "Minecraft" on all platforms with cross-play. We're very much about reaching the gamer where they want to play, and in this case it's letting those games reach the gamer in the way they want to be reached.
So, I apologize for not announcing a number today. I will say that we're very, very happy with the success we've had with Game Pass, and we see this as a way of further investing into something that's working.
BG: What's the long-term goal for Game Pass? Do you think it, or something like it, will replace more traditional means of getting games (buying in a store/downloading)?
PS: I think it's a good question, and it's actually a good vein of conversation, because some people will draw almost a one-to-one analogy between a PlayStation Now or a Game Pass with a Netflix or something. Forget about one being download and one being streamed, but more that subscription model.
I think that business model diversity in video games is a strength of video games. It's something we should all make sure we don't take for granted, that when customers find a great game and they love it that they're willing to continue to invest in that game. And, frankly, when they're not, they're pretty vocal about not liking the business model diversity. We've seen some of that even in the last few months.
But that diversity that we have in our space is a real strength. We're not dependent upon one business model — there are games on your phone that solely exist because of ads and advertising. There are models out there that are completely based on the day one purchase of a game, and those games can be incredibly successful. We should love that.
And then we look at free-to-play, and episodic, and things like subscriptions — we should all take it as a real strength of the video game business that we're able to support so many different business models in a healthy way. I think it really provides a strength and foundation for a craft and a business that I love, that will keep us strong for decades to come. And not all media have that opportunity.
http://www.businessinsider.com/xbox-one-netflix-of-gaming-interview-phil-spencer-2018-1
I don't think that's strictly true. i think Forza Motorsport 6 (if added to gamepass) would be delisted a month before Forza Motorsport 8, so not all MS games will be 'forever'
But as we see on EAA it only takes 6-8 months before Titanfall 2 and Battlefield 1 showed up and generally 'older' games are more likely to show up on a service like gamepas so really this is just removing a 6 month wait.
But as we see on EAA it only takes 6-8 months before Titanfall 2 and Battlefield 1 showed up and generally 'older' games are more likely to show up on a service like gamepas so really this is just removing a 6 month wait.
Austrian shop Gameware stops selling Xbox consoles in response to Game Pass announcement
Via ResetEra
Original Link ( in German) :http://www.mediabiz.de/games/news/xbox-game-pass-gameware-at-listet-xbox-konsolen-aus/426183
Via ResetEra
Original Link ( in German) :http://www.mediabiz.de/games/news/xbox-game-pass-gameware-at-listet-xbox-konsolen-aus/426183
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