Xbox
Xbox admits game sales fall harshly after 12 months from being on Game Pass
The UK regulator for market and competition published a statement about Xbox that points towards the impact of the Game Pass model on the industry.
Microsoft has admitted that games added to the Game Pass subscription lose sales after completing a 12 month term. The US company's position is part of a note incorporated into a provisional report by the UK Competition and Market Authority (CMA) related to the purchase of Activision Blizzard.
“Microsoft also submitted that its internal analysis shows a [redacted]% decline in base game sales twelve months following their addition on Game Pass," shares the CMA. As it is internal material, data such as the percentages or dates of future projects is classified; only the organization and its parts are aware of the complete picture.
Xbox is staying positive
In the information Gameindustry.biz shared, some statements by Phil Spencer in 2018 that contradict the current data of the company itself appear. The head of the division said at that time that, for brand new games like Forza Horizon 4 or State of Decay 2, participating in the subscription was "very healthy" and that player growth led to more sales of those games.
“When you put a game like Forza Horizon 4 on Game Pass, you instantly have more players of the game, which is actually leading to more sales of the game," Spencer said. “Some people have questioned that, but when State of Decay 2 launched, you saw if you looked in the US at the NPD you saw this game selling really well the month it launched on GamePass.”
The subscription currently offers various subscription options depending on the platforms you have or advantages you are looking for. The basic one for console or PC is priced at $9.99 per month each, while the ultimate option goes up to $14.99. You can learn more details at this link.