The Fall of Xbox and the Rise of XBOX GAME PASS

XBOX GAME PASS is a revolutionary subscription service from Microsoft that gives its users access to an extensive library of games. This platform has won the hearts of many gamers since its launch and continues to expand.

▎What is XBOX GAME PASS and its origins

Xbox Game Pass is similar to the existing EA Access video game subscription for Xbox One and the PlayStation Plus service offered by rival console maker Sony. The subscription catalog contained over 100 games at launch, with games being added to the catalog and sometimes removed from it from time to time. Xbox Game Pass allows the player to download the full game to the console

According to Xbox head Phil Spencer, this was done to give players "uninterrupted, full gameplay without having to worry about streaming, bandwidth or connection issues". Unlike EA Access, Xbox Game Pass offers games from a wide range of publishers such as Namco, Capcom, WB Games, 2K Games and games directly from Xbox Game Studios.

February 28, 2017 Microsoft announced debut Xbox Game Pass and made a limited catalog of games available to select members of its Xbox Insider community for testing and feedback. Later, in the second quarter of 2017, the service was opened to players who subscribe to Xbox Live Gold, and then for the general population of users. An Xbox Live Gold subscription is not required for Xbox Game Pass, but is required for any online multiplayer content that may be contained in the game catalog.

One of the main advantages of XBOX GAME PASS is regular library updates. New content is added constantly, allowing players to always find something new to enjoy.

In addition, subscribers can enjoy exclusive discounts and offers. This makes traveling through the world of games more accessible and economical.

Subscribing to Xbox Game Pass reduces the financial risk for players – instead of purchasing each game individually, they can enjoy a wider selection for less money. This is especially important during economic times when entertainment spending may be limited.

▎Why is this necessary??

For casual gamers, the ability to try a game without having to purchase it can be a deciding factor. For a small monthly fee, users can test dozens of games and find exactly what they like.

For more serious gamers, GAME PASS opens the door to classics and indie games that may be missed in the flood of new releases. This is a unique opportunity to expand your horizons and try something new.

▎2020: Exclusives appear

With the launch of XBOX SERIES X at the end of 2020, Microsoft began actively using GAME PASS to promote its exclusive games. This year the catalog was added:

— Halo: The Master Chief Collection
— Gears Tactics
— Ori and the Will of the Wisps

These releases confirmed GAME PASS’s reputation as a platform for high-quality content.

On July 16, 2020, it became known that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will also include the Project xCloud cloud service from September at no additional cost

In September 2020, Microsoft partnered with Electronic Arts (EA) to bring EA Play services to Xbox Game Pass subscribers on Xbox and PC. On November 10, 2020 (the same day the Xbox Series X and Series S launched), EA Play will be available on console and xCloud for Game Pass Ultimate members, and on March 18, 2021 on PC for Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass members

▎2021: Increase in the number of games and the first significant strengthening

2021 just got even busier for https://gamesnotongamstop.co.uk/craps/ GAME PASS. Microsoft has continued to expand its catalog, including many indie games and major releases:

— Forza Horizon 5
— Psychonauts 2
— Microsoft Flight Simulator

The acquisition of ZeniMax Media, Bethesda’s parent company, in 2021 has had a significant impact on Microsoft and its strategy in the gaming industry. Let’s consider the key aspects of this influence.

With the acquisition of Bethesda, Microsoft gained access to famous franchises such as:

— The Elder Scrolls
— Fallout
— Doom
— Wolfenstein

This significantly expands Microsoft’s portfolio of games and introduces new opportunities to attract players.
This year has demonstrated how a variety of content can meet the needs of different groups of gamers.

▎2022: Convulsive time for SONY and shooting at Microsoft’s knees

Microsoft makes the largest acquisition in its history and in the history of the video game industry: developer and publisher Activision Blizzard will be acquired for $68.7 billion ($95 per share). For comparison, the previous record acquisition deal for the corporation amounted to only 26 billion – in 2016 Microsoft received the LinkedIn service.

Merger with Blizzard strengthens Microsoft’s competitive position compared to other gaming platforms such as Sony and Nintendo. This is especially important in light of Microsoft’s strengthening position in the field of exclusive games and services.

Microsoft as a company remains committed to maintaining a commitment to inclusivity in every aspect of the gaming industry, among our employees and among players. We highly value the work culture of each studio. But we also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand in hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. And we will demand this from all teams and all leaders.

▎FTC vs Microsoft

However, the Federal Trade Commission has expressed concerns about how the merger could affect competition in the gaming industry, potentially leading to monopolistic practices. (With the help of SONY)

Sony mistakenly disclosed confidential information during FTC hearings against Microsoft’s takeover of Activision Blizzard. The report, provided by PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan, did not clearly cover the financial details of the Japanese company about the creation of a number of games and other data.

From the materials it became known that the cost of developing Horizon Forbidden West was $212 million, and 300 employees participated in the process of creating the title. Last of Us Part II cost Sony $220 million, 200 employees worked on the game.

Documents Reveal 1 Million PlayStation Players Exclusively Play Call of Duty. In 2021, more than 14 million users spent 30% or more of their time on Call of Duty, over 6 million gamers – more than 70%, and about 1 million – 100%.

Sony presented this information in an attempt to show that its earnings would suffer significantly if Call of Duty will be exclusive to Xbox. In addition, representatives of the Japanese company fear that Microsoft may sabotage the PlayStation version of the game.

Call of Duty brought $800 million to Sony in the US in 2021. It is likely that the sale of accessories, subscriptions and everything else increases the company’s annual revenue from the title to $13.9-15.9 billion, the Verge suggested.

▎2023: Calm before the storm

On October 13, Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King for $68.7 billion. It took more than a year and a half to formalize it legally.

Call of Duty will continue to be released on PlayStation for the next ten years. Microsoft and Sony have signed an agreement under which Call of Duty will remain a multi-platform shooter until 2033. After this period ends, Microsoft may extend the contract or make Call of Duty an Xbox exclusive.

New Call of Duty will be released on Nintendo consoles. Microsoft and Nintendo have signed a ten-year agreement under which Call of Duty will be released on Nintendo consoles. Most likely, we are talking about the new generation of Switch, which in terms of characteristics should be at the PS4 level.

Microsoft will release Call of Duty and its games on competitive cloud services. The corporation has already signed such agreements with Nvidia, Boosteroid and Ubitus. All Activision Blizzard games will appear on Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft’s own cloud service.

In the same year, True Achievements traditionally calculated the exact cost of all games that were added to the Xbox Game Pass subscription in 2023.

Journalists found that the total price of all projects that appeared on the service over the past 12 months is $8763 – this is about 800 thousand rubles.

The most expensive projects this year were Microsoft’s own games – Starfield, Forza Motorsport, Hi-Fi Rush and Redfall. In addition, other hits were added to the subscription this year, including Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Atomic Heart, Dead Space and Remnant 2. The exact number of projects is not known.

Note that the cost of games in the Game Pass subscription continues to rise.

In 2022 it was $7173, and in 2021 – $6317.

▎2024: First victories in the war with SONY

In 2024, the Xbox Game Pass catalog continues to delight players with its variety and quality.

Game Pass has become a real mecca for indie developers. In 2024, you can expect a lot of unique indie projects in the catalog, such as Hollow Knight: Silksong And Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. These games bring freshness and creativity to the gaming world.

The release of the exclusive Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from the developers of Wolfenstein, which returned everyone to childhood and that same forgotten sense of adventure

According to Microsoft estimates, Palworld showed the largest launch in Game Pass history for a third-party game. In the first days after release, more players were attracted only to projects developed by internal Microsoft teams. Palworld also became the most popular third-party game at launch on the Xbox Cloud Gaming cloud service.

At its peak, the daily active audience of the Xbox version of Palworld reached 3 million people.

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