Between all the layoffs, studio releases, and the singular consultation of Arkane (which could go any which way), Xbox CEO Asha Sharma’s statement about Game Pass is one of the few that caught our eye in yesterday’s announcement. The service didn’t “grow at the pace we expected,” though no figures were provided, or even what expectations were.
However, according to a “person familiar with the matter” speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Game Pass subscriptions are about 30 million. So what’s the problem? Back in 2023, in its case against the FTC regarding the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the division noted its goal to hit 77 million subscribers by the start of fiscal year 2027.
Such was the importance of this figure that former CEO Phil Spencer didn’t believe Microsoft would remain in the gaming business if it wasn’t reached. If the current figures are accurate, then even without last year’s disastrous price hikes that resulted in millions leaving, it would be a long way off from that goal. Heck, it would be a significant drop from the 34 million reached in February 2024.
Of course, there’s no intention of suddenly abandoning Game Pass, as Xbox will continue investing as much as it always has. Sharma has also outlined the goal of focusing on “higher priority projects.” The Elder Scrolls and Fallout are allegedly included in that catalogue alongside the next Wolfenstein, which is apparently getting a TV show to complement it. As for the rest, we’ll have to stay tuned, especially with ZeniMax Online Studios and Obsidian Entertainment reportedly taking sizable hits.
