Jakarta (ANTARA) – Sony PlayStation boss Jim Ryan claims that video game publishers unanimously agree that Xbox Game Pass is a “price buster” because of the business model set by Microsoft’s platform.
Quoting the Gadgets360 page on Wednesday (28/6), Ryan, who appeared in a recorded video during a Federal Trade Commission hearing on Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, expressed his concern regarding the acquisition worth US$69 billion or around Rp.1 trillion.
He stated that Microsoft’s business model for Game Pass had several challenges, and was not profitable for the company. He also claims to have spoken to a number of game publishers whose titles are currently available on the service, and they are not happy with the scheme being implemented either.
Also read: Microsoft’s PC Game Pass officially launches in Indonesia
“I spoke to all the publishers and they unanimously dislike Game Pass for hurting value,” said Ryan.
Ryan’s opinion contradicts Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s claims last year, he stated that the Xbox Game Pass subscription service is “very, very sustainable” and that the company isn’t spending money aimlessly. Game publishers putting their work on Game Pass are those who have previously published titles on Xbox Game Pass, indicating that there is already built trust.
Ryan added that when Microsoft announced the acquisition in early 2022, Spencer contacted it with a “potential letter of agreement,” alongside a list of games Xbox is committed to keeping parallel to PlayStation. Ryan said Spencer’s response raised serious concerns for Sony.
The contents of the letter were not shared in court, however, addressing the issue of “Call of Duty” potentially being added to Game Pass and impacting Sony Playstation. Sony is worried that once the Activision Blizzard acquisition is completed, the “Call of Duty” game will only be available exclusively for Xbox.
Also read: Microsoft launches many new games on Xbox Game Pass
The hearing also discussed Microsoft’s previous acquisition, namely, Bethesda Softworks and how it affected Sony. The game “Redfall”, which was originally planned to be a multi-platform game, became an Xbox and PC exclusive following Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda.
Something similar happened with “Starfield”, which Sony hoped would be available on the PlayStation console since the developer always releases games on both platforms.
Earlier this week, Spencer testified that Microsoft knew “Starfield” was not releasing on Xbox so they acted quickly and acquired Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media.
Also read: Sony will stop offering the PlayStation Plus Collection after May 9
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Translator: Adimas Raditya Fahky P
Editor: Natisha Andarningtyas
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2023-06-29 04:19:54
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