Arkane Founder Slams Xbox Game Pass, Calls It “Unsustainable” and “Damaging the Industry for a Decade”

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Despite Arkane Studios now being under the umbrella of Xbox, its founder Raphael Colantonio doesn’t shy away from expressing criticism towards Xbox Game Pass. In a string of tweets, Colantonio voiced his opinions on why he believes this subscription service may be doing more damage than good in the gaming community.

Colantonio, who’s worked on games such as Dishonored, Prey, and the upcoming Marvel’s Blade, expressed concern that the Game Pass model, he believes, is “an economically unviable approach that has been negatively impacting the industry for a decade. This model is propped up by Microsoft’s perceived endless resources, but eventually, the consequences must be faced.

According to him, Game Pass and other business models may not coexist peacefully. He compares the situation as if Game Pass would either “eliminate all competitors” or “surrender.” If this occurs, there is a possibility that additional Xbox studios might close down.

The issue at hand is clear: Colantonio is expressing apprehension about the potential long-term implications of Game Pass, despite its current popularity due to affordability and convenience. This predicament echoes similar situations observed in other sectors such as films and music.

He stated that this is a prolonged strategy which entails launching an industry-wide tidal wave, metaphorically speaking. While players may initially find it appealing due to its seemingly unbelievable benefits, they will eventually grow to dislike it as they comprehend the detrimental impact it has on the games themselves.

He additionally drew a parallel between Game Pass and services similar to Spotify. “Users appreciate Spotify due to its value proposition, but it’s not a beneficial model for musicians,” he commented. “It only thrives for Spotify and the well-known artists and major labels who have an investment in Spotify.

At present, Colantonio’s remarks are being made as Game Pass continues to expand its library with titles such as Grounded 2, The Outer Worlds 2, Hollow Knight Silksong, and the upcoming Call of Duty. However, his statement provokes a significant query: Can a service like Game Pass sustain this pace without potentially negatively impacting the broader gaming industry?

For the moment, it’s evident that Colantonio isn’t fond of the direction things seem to be moving in; only the future can reveal if this is indeed the case.

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2025-07-07 12:28