What developers benefit from the transition of the market to a subscription model — Microsoft's opinion

Yesterday, within the framework of Inside Xbox, it became known about the upcoming increase in the Game Pass library. How the subscription changes the approach to developing games for her, said Matt Botty, head of Xbox Game Studios.

The original material was released on Gamesindustry.biz . App2Top.ru publishes a squeeze.

According to Matt Bootie, Xbox Game Pass gives developers new advantages.

What are the advantages?

Firstly, the Xbox Game Pass makes games more accessible. Thanks to this, developers receive an influx of new audiences.

• With a subscription, it is easier for the player to try new games. Even if they belong to a genre that the player wasn’t interested in before. With the Xbox Game Pass, players are less constrained in funds, and therefore in the choice of titles.
• This means that players with a variety of preferences can pay attention to the game released in Game Pass.
• But, as Buti notes, because of this, developers have to devote more time to improving the PPO. Here, FTUE is the “primary user experience” (first time user experience). This is what the player sees in the first half hour of the game. The developers are improving the tutorials and the introduction to the game to lower the entry threshold for a new audience. Especially in the games — parts of the franchise (such as Age of Empires), new to many players.

Secondly, game developers for Game Pass do not suffer with the choice of a business model, says Buti.

• Creators of titles for $60 and above often worry whether there is enough content in the game to justify such prices. Also, many developers are forced to build a complex system of microtransactions to make the game earn.
• The subscription, according to Buti, does not pose such tasks to Microsoft studios.

Thirdly, developers get more creative freedom. Bootie explains it like this:

• With Game Pass, game makers don’t need to create game services to stay afloat. There is also no need for frequent updates (for example, updating every three weeks). Developers are less exhausted by the post-release support of the game.

Let’s add: according to the head of ID@Xbox Agostino Simonetta, the Game Pass subscription also stimulates interest in spending on games.

Also on the topic:

• Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Buy 40% More GamesXbox Game Pass will work on PC, and exclusives from Xbox Game Studios will go on sale on Steam