The Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s game subscription service, has been a key element in the company’s strategy since its launch in 2017. Between 2019 and 2021, the service generated annual revenues of $2 billion, according to information shared by Richie Choudhary, former Xbox product chief. However, the inclusion of titles in Game Pass may have implications on direct game sales. Christopher Dring, former director of GamesIndustry.biz, stated that games available on Game Pass may lose about 80% of the premium sales projected on the Xbox platform. This reduction is less pronounced for high-visibility releases, but remains significant. On the other hand, for multiplatform titles, presence on Game Pass may boost sales on other consoles, such as PlayStation, due to increased visibility and player base.
Recently, Game Pass has maintained a consistent offering of new games. By the end of 2024, titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle were added to the service. In the first months of 2025, releases like Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Remaster, Eternal Strands, and Sniper Elite Resistance strengthened the catalog. Upcoming releases include South of Midnight and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Furthermore, Microsoft has been enhancing the accessibility of Game Pass. In January 2025, it was announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be available on specific LG TVs, allowing Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to play games directly through the LG gaming portal.
Microsoft is making Xbox Game Pass a central platform in its gaming ecosystem, with a growing variety of titles and easy access on multiple devices.
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