Arkane Founder Claims Game Pass Is Unsustainable and Detrimental to the Gaming Industry

Concerns Over Game Pass and Its Impact on the Gaming Industry

In the wake of Microsoft’s recent layoffs, which resulted in over 9, 000 job cuts across various Xbox-owned studios, the gaming community is buzzing with reactions. Notably, Raphael Colantonio, the former founder of Arkane Studios, shared his perspective on X, arguing that Game Pass plays a significant role in these industry shifts, and not for the better.

The Flaws of Game Pass

Colantonio expressed his discomfort with what he perceives as an “elephant in the room” – Game Pass. He stated, “I think Game Pass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade.” He further argued that while Microsoft has largely funded Game Pass with deep pockets, the model ultimately cannot coexist with traditional game sales strategies, claiming “they’ll either kill everyone else or give up.”

What Lies Ahead for Gamers?

Looking towards the future, Colantonio predicts a troubling scenario: “Once Microsoft has won, the games will start to suck and your subscription will go up.” He believes that the generous offers currently available through Game Pass are only sustainable due to Microsoft’s willingness to incur significant losses in order to eliminate competition. Once that competition is diminished, gamers might face higher subscription fees and a decline in game quality.

Expert Opinions on Game Consumption

Colantonio’s sentiments resonate with those of Rhys Elliott, Head of Market Analysis at Alinea. Elliott argues that Microsoft’s investment in Game Pass might be misguided, as the consumption patterns of video games differ greatly from those of movies or music. Given the time-intensive nature of gaming, players have a limited window for entertainment.

The Back Catalogue Strategy

Diverging from his initial criticisms, Colantonio mentioned that Game Pass could find a sustainable niche focusing on back catalogue titles. He expressed frustration at the misleading information from Microsoft, stating, “I’m fed up with all the BS they fed us at first, like ‘don’t worry, it doesn’t impact the sales, ’ only to admit years later that it totally does.” Colantonio proposed that a more viable approach would mirror Sony’s PlayStation Plus, which refrains from offering blockbuster titles on launch day, instead providing them later during their back catalogue phase.

The Landscape for Game Pass Subscribers

Despite the introduction of popular franchises like Call of Duty, Elder Scrolls, and DOOM to Game Pass, the subscriber count hovers around 35 million, falling short of Microsoft’s ambitious targets. This raises important questions about the long-term viability of the subscription model.

A Brief Look at Raphael Colantonio’s Career

For context, Raphael Colantonio is not only known for founding Arkane Studios but also for his current role as the studio head at WolfEye Studios, which developed the game *Weird West*.The studio’s ongoing projects include a retro sci-fi, first-person action RPG inspired by *Dishonored*, published by NEOWIZ. Colantonio’s critiques of Microsoft are not new; he had previously voiced concerns following the closure of Arkane Austin, further highlighting his ongoing engagement with these industry issues.

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