Some Xbox studio leads reportedly “detest” Game Pass — so why did Xbox push ahead with it? “It felt like a race to zero.”
In a recent Bloomberg podcast appearance, journalist Jason Schreier revealed internal tensions at Xbox surrounding the Game Pass subscription service. Xbox Game Studios leaders reportedly “detest” Game Pass and criticize its perceived impact on how consumers value games. The service, launched as an all-you-can-eat subscription inspired by Netflix and Spotify models, was once marketed as “the best value in gaming” during its early years. However, emerging criticism from studio leadership suggests the business model may have had unintended consequences. One source characterized the strategy as a “race to zero,” implying that studios feel their work is being devalued by the service’s approach. Notably, Xbox’s new CEO Asha Sharma has been largely silent on Game Pass in recent public statements about the company’s direction, despite the service being central to Xbox’s identity. The timing of these revelations coincides with Xbox’s significant restructuring, including substantial workforce reductions across the company. The disconnect between corporate strategy and studio leadership perspectives raises questions about whether Game Pass’s subscription-first approach remains sustainable.