Game Pass is under fire – and not just from players, but from developers too. In the aftermath of sweeping layoffs at Xbox, Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios (known for Dishonored and Prey), has openly criticized Microsoft’s Game Pass model, calling it the ‘elephant in the room’ and flat-out unsustainable.
Colantonio, who now runs WolfEye Studios, took to social media to voice concerns about the long-term viability of Game Pass. ‘It’s been damaging the industry for a decade, bankrolled by Microsoft’s endless cash,’ he wrote. ‘Eventually, reality hits.’ His argument? Game Pass may be great for gamers today, but it’s a time bomb for developers and the future of gaming.
His post sparked a firestorm. Game Pass has long been seen as a killer deal for players – a buffet of games for a low monthly fee. But many in the industry are questioning whether such a model is sustainable. Former Epic Games execs and Larian Studios’ publishing director Michael Douse echoed Colantonio’s concern: what happens when the money dries up?
Douse specifically pointed out that developers are wary of a system that could collapse if Microsoft scales back spending. ‘The infinite money thing never made any sense,’ he said, highlighting how even Baldur’s Gate 3 skipped Game Pass, likely to avoid undervaluing their work. Microsoft reportedly offered just $5 million to bring the game to the platform – a fraction of its actual worth.
Colantonio also took issue with Microsoft’s claim that launching games on Game Pass doesn’t hurt sales. ‘It clearly does,’ he insisted. Others added that Microsoft’s own move away from physical media shows a deeper strategy – one that sidelines re-sell value and pushes everyone toward subscription dependency.
While Microsoft remains bullish, pointing to growth in PC Game Pass and vague financial metrics, many suspect the service isn’t profitable. Colantonio called it a ‘spreadsheet trick,’ arguing that amortizing billions in studio acquisitions across many years hides the real cost.
So why does Microsoft persist? According to Xbox boss Phil Spencer, it’s about growth, customer acquisition, and choice. In his words, Game Pass is ‘a healthy option for certain people.’ But critics argue the real game is market dominance – offer too-good-to-be-true deals, starve competitors, then raise prices when players have no options left.
And some gamers are beginning to notice. While Game Pass has been a dream for those with time to explore, it’s less appealing for players with limited time or specific tastes. Several ex-subscribers noted they let their membership lapse once the $1 upgrade trick ended, or because they simply didn’t want most of the catalog.
Colantonio closed with a chilling prediction: ‘Eventually, the games will suck, the price will go up, and gamers will realize the real cost of today’s bargain.’ Whether that day is near or far remains to be seen, but the cracks in the foundation are starting to show.