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[Sosokrates]

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/23/...s-subscription-future-games-microsoft-studios

Microsoft is planning to bring its own exclusive Xbox games, published through Microsoft Studios, to the company’s Xbox Game Pass subscription. Future games, including Sea of Thieves, will be available via subscription on the same day they’re available to purchase at retail stores or through the Microsoft Store. “The number one request from our customers... was to get new blockbuster games into Game Pass,” explains Microsoft’s games chief, Phil Spencer, in an interview with The Verge.

Sea of Thieves will be the first title available on launch day, March 20th, through the Xbox Games Pass, and that will “follow through with State of Decay 2, Crackdown 3, and the rest of our portfolio,” says Spencer. “Not just those games, but our future Halos, our future Gears of War, future Forzas, and other games. Our plan is to launch those to our Game Pass subscribers at the same time they go to retail.”

Xbox Youtube video

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[thehillissilent]

The catch will be the MTX, DLC, and expansions will not be included with the base game. MS just lowered the barrier for players to try out new and older games and monetize them in new ways. It's a very smart move. Also, Play Anywhere games in the subscription work on the PC.

 

[Calibos]

Said it in the other thread, this is amazing. Makes this almost a no-brainer for new xbox players....I already own 90% of the games in game pass, but I may spring for it if the math works in my favor on first party titles.

 

[The Scrivener]

I'm a current subscriber, I've played quite a bit from the service already, and this news is awesome. Can't wait to play the lastest games with my children with this. It certainly makes the all digital future easier to accept!

 

[JohnnyFootball]

Okay, while I approve of this move, I have to wonder how this makes financial sense for MS to do this.

When the Gamepass first came out, a few others mentioned the idea of having big releases on release day and they were told such an idea was ridiculous.

I have an egg on my face.

That egg does taste delicious.

 

[thehillissilent]

Okay, while I approve of this move, I have to wonder how this makes financial sense for MS to do this.

When the Gamepass first came out, a few others mentioned the idea of having big releases on release day and they were told such an idea was ridiculous.

I have an egg on my face.

That egg does taste delicious.

The will increase MAU (monthly active users) and will have consistent income coming from 2-3 subs (Live Gold, Game Pass, EA Access). Also, this will lower the barrier for their GAAS (Games as a Service) which will keep delivering content on a consistent basis via MTX, DLC, and Season Passes that will have to be purchased on top of all of those subscriptions.

 

[Sosokrates]

Yes, before I could not justify another subscription, but this could save me money.
It works out £95 a year.
Considering I will get at least 4-5 big Exclusives and several other games its pretty great value.

With this,gwg and ea access I will not have to buy hardly no xbox games again.

It would be nice if I could get a years subscription at like £80 like how amazon prime does it.


Also as I said in the other thread I think the bulk of the money will go to Microsoft for additional funding for there Exclusives. We will still get 3rd party stuff but it will be older and smaller titles MS can get on the cheap.

 

[Dee Dah Dave]

So it's the price of 2 MS exclusives per year. And you get 3-4 MS exclusives plus all the other games. This is ace!

I guess this only makes financial sense though if they get a zillion subs. Or they slowly but surely increase the price of the sub.

 

[hiphopcr]

People have said it repeatedly; Microsoft playing catchup this gen has been the best thing for consumers. Bending over backwards with features and value.

 

[Outrun]

Crackdown cancelled...... Sea of Thieves cancelled.... Ori and Forza Horizon 4 will put me in the Black

 

[Outrun]

Laters Gamestop and EB.

 

[batman2million]

This is great. Again, MS doing good for the consumer. I just hope they keep these games on there for a while. Don't just get rid of it after like a month.

 

[LuvOfThaGame]

What an excellent deal for consumers! They just sold me a game pass.

 

[rokkerkory]

Okay, while I approve of this move, I have to wonder how this makes financial sense for MS to do this.

When the Gamepass first came out, a few others mentioned the idea of having big releases on release day and they were told such an idea was ridiculous.

I have an egg on my face.

That egg does taste delicious.

I doubt it'll make money in the beginning, but they are playing the long term strategy here. Eventually games as a service (subscription) will be the norm and they are starting now. It's actually a good deal for $120 a year you can play so many games and if you love MS 1st party, then you get to enjoy day 1.

Even as a casual gamer, I am super interested in this now.

 

[JohnnyFootball]

As of right now there around 35 million X1s in the wild. They would need for a significant amount of those users to get it.

 

[Sosokrates]

I do wonder how long the Exclusives will stay on game pass?

Will 2018s Exclusives still be on game pass in 2020, like the ea vault?

 

[VAL0R]

Wow! Phil is cray cray. Sold!

 

[Nikana]

Holy crap. That is a game changer

 

[Jessie.Bristol]

Wow, has Microsoft just become the Netflix of Game Console Manufacturers? This news is just awesome. Was probably going to buy Sea of Thieves, but still have that one month Game Pass subscription sitting in my Xbox One X box. Looks like I'll be signing up for the rest of the year too.

 

[pokerlife]

So will existing titles like Forza horizon 3 be added ?

 

[Sosokrates]

So will existing titles like Forza horizon 3 be added ?

So far they have said upcoming Exclusives, maybe they will do old ones too, but they have not communicated about old Exclusives yet.

 

[rokkerkory]

I do wonder how long the Exclusives will stay on game pass?

Will 2018s Exclusives still be on game pass in 2020, like the ea vault?

MS should give ability to buy a game pass game on massive discount once it is ready to be moved out of the line up. Say Halo 6 is on game pass and when it's ready to be moved out like in 2020, could be bought for half what it retails for at that same time period?

 

[solis74]

THIS IS EPIC NEWS!!

 

[JohnnyFootball]

While, I can't argue that this is great news, I am concerned that this will come with some downsides that many people aren't thinking about.

1. The base game will be part of the subscription, but DLC will not be. Since developers and MS are losing their day 1 buyers revenue, they will likely look for additional ways to increase revenue. My concern is that more of the game will be chopped off and sold later as DLC and/or worse these games will heavily incentivize the purchase of microtransactions. Now if the base game ends up being not very good, gamers aren't going to have much incentive to purchase DLC.

2. It could make developers very lazy. What incentive is there to make a great game when you know it's going to get played regardless and that you have essentially already made your money before even selling one copy? On the flipside, it could also potentially encourage developers to take more risks, something that many gamers feel is badly needed in the game industry.


I also have to wonder how EA feels about this move. I wonder if they are concerned that it could cause people to cancel their subscriptions to EA Access.

 

[Leonidas]

Incredible value, I didn't use Game Pass before since I already had most of the games I was interested in, but with this it seems like its worth subscribing to.

 

[solis74]

Incredible value, I didn't use Game Pass before since I already had most of the games I was interested in, but with this it seems like its worth subscribing to.

Same.

 

[rokkerkory]

While, I can't argue that this is great news, I am concerned that this will come with some downsides that many people aren't thinking about.

1. The base game will be part of the subscription, but DLC will not be. Since developers and MS are losing their day 1 buyers revenue, they will likely look for additional ways to increase revenue. My concern is that more of the game will be chopped off and sold later as DLC and/or worse these games will heavily incentivize the purchase of microtransactions. Now if the base game ends up being not very good, gamers aren't going to have much incentive to purchase DLC.

2. It could make developers very lazy. What incentive is there to make a great game when you know it's going to get played regardless and that you have essentially already made your money before even selling one copy? On the flipside, it could also potentially encourage developers to take more risks, something that many gamers feel is badly needed in the game industry.


I also have to wonder how EA feels about this move. I wonder if they are concerned that it could cause people to cancel their subscriptions to EA Access.

I don't know... but I have a hunch no developer aspires to be 'lazy' lol

 

[michaelius]

So it's the price of 2 MS exclusives per year. And you get 3-4 MS exclusives plus all the other games. This is ace!

I guess this only makes financial sense though if they get a zillion subs. Or they slowly but surely increase the price of the sub.

Oh it makes perfect financial sense:

1. You are making assumption that all 3 or 4 games Microsoft might release next year are worth their launching price for everyone
2. You are making assumption that all of them will be interesting to everyone
3. You are sacrificing your ownership of those games for slightly better then break even deal.
4. You can bet they will be basic versions without DLC/season passes

And since Microsoft games are microtransaction vessels you can consider it almost "free 2 play" like scheme except for 120$/year which you can't stop as all your games will be gone.

The only way gamer would benefit from it is if he would totally stop buying games and dlc which would require every title on the platform to be included.
And if people stop buying games it will mean companies need to go mobile like semi F2P business model where their titles are designed to lure people into buying microtransactions.

So in short:

 

[rokkerkory]

Oh it makes perfect financial sense:

1. You are making assumption that all 3 or 4 games Microsoft might release next year are worth their launching price for everyone
2. You are making assumption that all of them will be interesting to everyone
3. You are sacrificing your ownership of those games for slightly better then break even deal.
4. You can bet they will be basic versions without DLC/season passes

And since Microsoft games are microtransaction vessels you can consider it almost "free 2 play" like scheme except for 120$/year which you can't stop as all your games will be gone.

The only way gamer would benefit from it is if he would totally stop buying games and dlc which would require every title on the platform to be included.
And if people stop buying games it will mean companies need to go mobile like semi F2P business model where their titles are designed to lure people into buying microtransactions.

So in short:

No one is forcing this option on you so I don't see how this is a trap. It's not like the traditional way of buying games will go away.

 

[arhra]

MS should give ability to buy a game pass game on massive discount once it is ready to be moved out of the line up. Say Halo 6 is on game pass and when it's ready to be moved out like in 2020, could be bought for half what it retails for at that same time period?

There's already a discount on buying any game included in the subscription at any time while you're subscribed.

20%, if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[hiphopcr]

Especially considering Xbox is releasing a slew of fantastic cooperative games this year, it'll be easy to convince friends to pay for one month so everyone can play together... and potentially retain them as long term subscribers

 

[Sosokrates]

MS should give ability to buy a game pass game on massive discount once it is ready to be moved out of the line up. Say Halo 6 is on game pass and when it's ready to be moved out like in 2020, could be bought for half what it retails for at that same time period?

Yes that would be a good idea.
They could do your idea or just leave MS games on gamepass.
Either option I would be happy with.

 

[The_Mike]

Oh it makes perfect financial sense:

1. You are making assumption that all 3 or 4 games Microsoft might release next year are worth their launching price for everyone
2. You are making assumption that all of them will be interesting to everyone
3. You are sacrificing your ownership of those games for slightly better then break even deal.
4. You can bet they will be basic versions without DLC/season passes

And since Microsoft games are microtransaction vessels you can consider it almost "free 2 play" like scheme except for 120$/year which you can't stop as all your games will be gone.

The only way gamer would benefit from it is if he would totally stop buying games and dlc which would require every title on the platform to be included.
And if people stop buying games it will mean companies need to go mobile like semi F2P business model where their titles are designed to lure people into buying microtransactions.

So in short:

Sounds like you don’t own a Xbox One console and don’t know anything about the Xbox exclusive games.
I’m a person that play a lot of Xbox one exclusive games, and I haven’t met any f2p kinda vibe.

I can understand that some people might not like the exclusives for the Xbox One, but at least don’t lie about the content. It just makes you look incredibly stupid to people who actually own the console. To us it just looks like some fanboy flaming.

 

[Lort]

Ea access has been putting fairly recent games on the service ..this is just the same thing.

Games will still be sold full price and be complete awesome news!

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

Incredible deal. It's a win for both customers as well as MS.

Microsoft will get money twice from many people (like myself) that like to still "own" their games. I just started subscribing today after this announcement, but I'll still buy Crackdown and Halo when they go on sale.

 

[Sosokrates]

Oh it makes perfect financial sense:

1. You are making assumption that all 3 or 4 games Microsoft might release next year are worth their launching price for everyone
2. You are making assumption that all of them will be interesting to everyone
3. You are sacrificing your ownership of those games for slightly better then break even deal.
4. You can bet they will be basic versions without DLC/season passes

And since Microsoft games are microtransaction vessels you can consider it almost "free 2 play" like scheme except for 120$/year which you can't stop as all your games will be gone.

The only way gamer would benefit from it is if he would totally stop buying games and dlc which would require every title on the platform to be included.
And if people stop buying games it will mean companies need to go mobile like semi F2P business model where their titles are designed to lure people into buying microtransactions.

So in short:

Stop spreading nonsense, MS games are not "microtransaction vessels".
I have several MS exclusives and not spent a penny on microtransactions and still enjoyed the single and multiplayer parts no different to any other game.

 

[Blam]

And since Microsoft games are microtransaction vessels you can consider it almost "free 2 play" like scheme except for 120$/year which you can't stop as all your games will be gone.

The only way gamer would benefit from it is if he would totally stop buying games and dlc which would require every title on the platform to be included.
And if people stop buying games it will mean companies need to go mobile like semi F2P business model where their titles are designed to lure people into buying microtransactions.

This couldn't be any farther from the truth. Jesus get the tin foil off your head.

 

[solis74]

Incredible deal. It's a win for both customers as well as MS.

i'm in!

 

[JaxBriggs]

This is a very bold move by MS and something that's never been done in the gaming industry. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out over the next 12 to 18 months.

 

[fbutron]

Not sure about the response from retailers surely Gamestop shares will be impacted by this news but good news for xbox players

 

[Nikana]

Oh it makes perfect financial sense:

1. You are making assumption that all 3 or 4 games Microsoft might release next year are worth their launching price for everyone
2. You are making assumption that all of them will be interesting to everyone
3. You are sacrificing your ownership of those games for slightly better then break even deal.
4. You can bet they will be basic versions without DLC/season passes

And since Microsoft games are microtransaction vessels you can consider it almost "free 2 play" like scheme except for 120$/year which you can't stop as all your games will be gone.

The only way gamer would benefit from it is if he would totally stop buying games and dlc which would require every title on the platform to be included.
And if people stop buying games it will mean companies need to go mobile like semi F2P business model where their titles are designed to lure people into buying microtransactions.

So in short:

Dat Spin!

 

[JohnnyFootball]

I don't know... but I have a hunch no developer aspires to be 'lazy' lol

Aspiring to be something compared to what economic realities sometimes force are two different things.

 

[Neo_GAF]

first it sounds awesome, because the netflix model revolutionized the movie/shows-market.

but on second thought ms might make a f2p-model out of that.

i really hope they wont.

otherwise... could it be...

that ms is thinking of going out of the xbox business and instead just offer this game pass?

i want consoles with full games and not a patch riddled fuckery with f2p-horse-crap and splitting the customers into different markets(base and pro)

 

[solis74]

This is a very bold move by MS and something that's never been done in the gaming industry. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out over the next 12 to 18 months.

very interesting

 

[Nikana]

first it sounds awesome, because the netflix model revolutionized the movie/shows-market.

but on second thought ms might make a f2p-model out of that.

i really hope they wont.

otherwise... could it be...

that ms is thinking of going out of the xbox business and instead just offer this game pass?


i want consoles with full games and not a patch riddled fuckery with f2p-horse-crap and splitting the customers into different markets(base and pro)

I don't see how them offering just a game pass makes sense considering it's not a streaming service. The hardware is still needed to render the image.

 

[rokkerkory]

Aspiring to be something compared to what economic realities sometimes force are two different things.

Games developed by lazy developers don't sell and the consumer will correct that behavior quick.

 

[rokkerkory]

There's already a discount on buying any game included in the subscription at any time while you're subscribed.

20%, if I'm remembering correctly.

That's cool but I was saying when the game goes off the subscription.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

In case anyone else was wondering per Aaron Greenberg and retweeted by Phil Spencer these games that are Play Anywhere you can also play them on your PC with Game Pass.

 

[mckmas8808]

I do wonder how long the Exclusives will stay on game pass?

Will 2018s Exclusives still be on game pass in 2020, like the ea vault?

Great question, because right now this looks like MS is just willing to lose all the money.

 

[solis74]

Said it in the other thread, this is amazing. Makes this almost a no-brainer for new xbox players....I already own 90% of the games in game pass, but I may spring for it if the math works in my favor on first party titles.