Chris Charla, the head of Microsoft’s independent gaming initiative, ID@Xbox, recently shared insights into the current state of Game Pass and the feedback they’re receiving from developers. He revealed that 2025 will see ID@Xbox making its most significant investment in Game Pass to date, following successful partnerships with over 50 developers in 2024 who secured their initial deals for the service.
Charla emphasized Microsoft’s ongoing dedication, stating, ‘We remain focused on delivering the most exciting and diverse catalogue in gaming.’
Furthermore, Charla noted that most developers who partnered with ID@Xbox for a Game Pass deal expressed interest in bringing their upcoming titles to the service as well. This enthusiasm has led to over 150 new partnerships aimed at expanding the Game Pass library, with hundreds more titles being reviewed annually.
Regarding how titles are selected for Game Pass through ID@Xbox, Charla explained that opportunities arise from various avenues. These include direct meetings with developers at industry events, informal workplace discussions within Microsoft, recommendations from friends in game development, and even direct email submissions from creators.
Notably, Charla did not address the recent criticisms from several prominent figures in the gaming industry regarding Game Pass. Arkane co-founder Ralph Colantonio previously described Game Pass as ‘unsustainable,’ and former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden suggested such subscription models could reduce developers to ‘wage slaves.’ Former Bethesda executive Pete Hines also warned that subscription services could create a ‘real problem’ for the industry. Additionally, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick voiced concerns, stating it makes little economic sense to launch new games directly onto Game Pass, while former Xbox executive Shannon Loftis highlighted its potential to impact traditional retail revenue.
However, not all feedback has been negative. Many developers have reported significant positive impacts from Game Pass. For example, a senior figure at the Football Manager studio noted that featuring their game on subscription services resulted in a massive surge in player engagement.
This varied reception comes as Game Pass recently achieved a significant milestone, generating close to $5 billion in annual revenue for the first time.
For those looking for new titles, a curated selection of ‘The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2025’ regularly highlights exceptional additions to the service.
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