Phil Spencer Deems Xbox Game Pass “Sustainable”, Not Requiring A Price Increase For The Service

When attempting to unearth what leads ahead for Xbox Game Pass, the catalyst for that question is spruced from the recent success of the service. Back in September, Microsoft disclosed that the monthly game streaming service houses more than 15 million users and it is anticipated more are to be welcomed leading forward from the acquisition of Bethesda parent company Zenimax Media.

However, as the service continues to reel in more users, some are to believe that Microsoft’s ambitions will change now that a large enough audience leaves room for Microsoft to experiment. But that is not part of the playbook according the Xbox division lead Phil Spencer. In a recent interview on the Dropped Frames talk show, he offers a counter to the argument.

Spencer on the matters of Xbox Game Pass believes the service is performing well enough and altering the formula is not necessary for Microsoft moving forward. When questioned about a potential price increase, he had this to say:

I say there’s no plan for us to do anything like that. We like the value that Game Pass is today and from a business model it’s completely sustainable the way it is and I mean that.

One thing Spencer mentions that Microsoft benefits from is virtually publishing small independent titles with an Xbox Game Pass endorsement. Studio Zevere with She Dreams Elsewhere is an example of just that. “The upside is, we can take more creative chances than a pure retail model allows. We can go and greenlight games because we know we’ll get millions of Game Pass players to engage and play the game.

“Where based on how many units or revenue you might gain just from that title, it can be more challenging, and that’s I think the positive side of it. It allows us to take more creative risks and I think the portfolio shows that, but we have to prove that over time as well.” Spencer has also told to be looking to support the Xbox Game Pass’ library through legal acquisition too.

In a separate interview previously, Spencer offered that Microsoft is continuing to actively search for new candidates to help further populate the Xbox Game Pass roster. “I expect we will constantly be in this mode of bringing more creators into the fold,” he shares. You can read the full report by heading here.

What I your stance on the current state of Xbox Game Pass?

Source: Dropped Frames