What’s Even The Point Of Xbox Game Pass Now?
On May 7, Microsoft closed down four first-party development studios it had acquired from Zenimax Media in 2021 including Tango Gameworks, developer of The Evil Within series and 2023’s surprise hit Hi-Fi Rush. It’s the latest round of layoffs and closures that the gaming industry, and Xbox specifically, has seen in recent months. But with the Xbox portfolio seemingly growing bigger with acquisitions only for Microsoft to then lay off the developers doing the most interesting work, it raises questions about the actual value of the company’s Game Pass subscription service. After all, that service seemed great, in no small part, precisely because it gave subscribers access to the games made by the very developers that have now been shuttered. – Willa Rowe Read More
