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Dev Who Launched Game into GamePass Warns Against Launching Games into GamePass

a year ago
  • #Game Pass
  • #Subscription Services
  • #Game Development
  • Alex Hutchinson warns that launching games into subscription services like Game Pass can 'devalue' content and hurt the industry.
  • Revenge of the Savage Planet saw most of its traffic from Game Pass, with full-game sales being 'good' but not significantly boosted by the service.
  • Hutchinson suggests the industry should adopt a model similar to movies, where games debut exclusively before coming to subscription services a year later.
  • He expresses concern that the current trend could lead to fewer games being made and more studios failing, as content is devalued.
  • Despite the criticism, Hutchinson acknowledges that Microsoft has been a great partner, though the financial benefits of Game Pass deals have diminished over time.
  • Sony and Nintendo have not embraced day-one launches on subscription services, with Nintendo notably maintaining the value of its games over time.
  • Hutchinson's background includes directing Assassin's Creed III and Far Cry 4, and founding Typhoon Studios before its acquisition and closure by Google.