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Microsoft Reveals New Xbox Game Pass Stats And Explains How It's Different From Netflix

GhostOfTsu

Banned
Well I have spend a grand total of $0 since I started using GamePass for the last few weeks.

I don't see a need or reason to spend any more money on any microtransactions or whatever else. All my money is going into my car so not sure what Xbox is saying here. I'd rather just wait for a game to hit GamePass instead of buying it. Plenty to keep my busy until that day.

All MS will ever get is my monthly subscription. That's it.
Same for me. If ever I discover a game on Gamepass I like, I might buy the goty/complete edition when it's on sale on Steam/PSN or if they are lucky on Xbox store (usually their sales are not as good or they are not the first to offer deep discounts). DLC packs are overpriced.

I'm getting a Series X soon and it will be my GP machine. There is no need to buy any games on it. I don't see how that is good for developers long term but whatever. Get those cheques from MS while you can.
 

MonarchJT

Banned
Yup. If the sales data was impressive, they'd shout it from the rooftops. When it isn't, they give random stats that make it APPEAR to be impressive.

I appreciate Nintendo. They aren't afraid to reveal their data. They go through periods where their consoles sell extremely well and periods where they are horrible. Either way, they don't hide the data.
it's growing 1m monthly ..gamepass is fuckin impressive basically from every point of view
 
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e&e

Banned
Well I have spend a grand total of $0 since I started using GamePass for the last few weeks.

I don't see a need or reason to spend any more money on any microtransactions or whatever else. All my money is going into my car so not sure what Xbox is saying here. I'd rather just wait for a game to hit GamePass instead of buying it. Plenty to keep my busy until that day.

All MS will ever get is my monthly subscription. That's it.
You posted this to refute MS claims? I’m confused why your personal habits matter here?

I’m never going to spend any money while I have GamePass...but that means I’m not part of the 20% that will...
 
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Plantoid

Member
I'm subscribed and I pay full price, since I got the xsx I bought only 1 game that is Lara Croft on sale...

I don't buy dlcs. But I can't see myself not paying for gamepass in the future, so at least my subscription they are cashing in.
 

graywolf323

Gold Member
Microsoft didn't specify that the users spend that time & money on GamePass games though did they? I've read that paragraph several times over to make sure I'm not missing something

personally the only DLC I've bought for a GamePass game has been the Outer Worlds DLC pack during the sale this past week but I'll eventually pick up the base game on a deep discount too so I own it (and while it is from Obsidian, it's not published by MS so I figure the game will eventually be leaving the platform)
 
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Clintizzle

Lord of Edge.
GamePass = 18M subs, many are $1-4/mo deals for 3 years. Also a dedicated console for each or you wait in queue, insanely expensive.
Netflix = 300M subs.

Comparing it to Netflix is a complete joke.
4blz3h.jpg
 
"When you subscribe to a channel that enables you to watch a video, like Netflix, that's kind of the end of the monetization cycle that you have with that piece of content," she said. "In gaming it's the opposite: there are items that you can buy in the game, there are extensions you can buy, there's a next franchise you can purchase, there are other genres that you can leap to."
So you get this monthly bill for games that are on a rotation, but the only meaningful "difference" from a service like Netflix is that you can still buy the extras for the game... the game that will be taken away at any given moment.

There is only one side that wins in this story, and this is not the gamers' side.
 

twilo99

Member
I got it for PC like 6 months ago just to give it a try.. I haven't bought a single game on Steam since then. It just doesn't make any sense to spend ~$40 on a single game when there is so much good content on there.

Its a solid service and it seems like its only going to get better.
 

Hobbygaming

has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
Yeah, but Switch is a different experience primarily because it has built-in controls. Most smart phone games are built around the touch screen rather than the resolution. For AAA gaming, you would really need to carry around a controller.
I agree and do Switch owners even really play games undocked? I've never seen a Switch out in public
 

Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
Bond said Game Pass users:
  • Spend 20% more time playing games
  • Play 30% more games
  • Play 40% more genres
  • Spend 20% more money on gaming overall
The first 3 stats make sense. People will play more games (and spend more time) if they have access to more games. However, point #4 is very, very vague and doesn't tell us much.

How are we measuring the "20% more money on gaming".
  • Does this amount include the $$ spent on purchasing Gamepass subscriptions? If yes, that defeats the entire point of this conversation.
  • Does this amount include spending on other platforms and ecosystems, such as PlayStation and Nintendo Switch?
  • Does this amount only refer to microtransactions and DLCs from Gamepass subscribers for Gamepass only games?
  • Is this 20% incremental?
  • How does this statement not mean that Gamepass subscribers aren't satisfied with the offering, and they instead have to spend 20% more elsewhere?
I feel this particular statement is to please investors and shareholders and doesn't carry much weight until more it accompanies more concrete data and information.
 
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Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
So you get this monthly bill for games that are on a rotation, but the only meaningful "difference" from a service like Netflix is that you can still buy the extras for the game... the game that will be taken away at any given moment.

There is only one side that wins in this story, and this is not the gamers' side.
Very good point! I feel people are missing this, and MS should explain what they mean and how is spending 20% more (or the potential of spending more, unlike Netflix) benefiting gamers.

Depending on the headline, it could easily mean that "Gamepass doesn't satisfy subscribers as they end up spending 20% more on gaming than non-GP users."
 
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longdi

Banned
imo GPU is all about creating positive user experiences, tons of value, knowing your digtial catalog is safe and even enhanced over time.

With happiness, you get loyalty and openess to spend and continue on and more positive word of mouth.

This is the way. Thx Phil
 

StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
I agree and do Switch owners even really play games undocked? I've never seen a Switch out in public
I’ve seen kids playing switch. Not often but I’ve seen it. Young kids following parents like this is years ago with kids doing the same but with a 3DS.

but all those PR ads of adults partying in public or huddled together playing 4 player games at a food court I have never seen once. I bet nobody on earth has broke out nba2k with 4 people at a picnic table after playing real basketball.

then again I don’t take the bus or subway. Maybe shit loads of commuters play switch on public transit???
 
I am glad economics are working out for MS.

It is not going to be a failure.

Just finished Control on GP. Really loved it. Enough to buy expansion pass.

Only thing stopping me is well, Doom Eternal. And Fallout 4. And Jedi fallen order. And ...
 

Robb

Gold Member
I can only speak for myself but I definitely play more, and more varied, games using gamepass.

Haven't bought anything on Xbox since I got GamePass though. I personally don't really feel like DLC etc. is worth purchasing when I don't own the game.
 

DavidGzz

Member
Good news. People want to know how it's sustainable, here are your answers. The fact that people are still spending money means we can keep benefitting from the service and it isn't going to die. Anyone trying to make it seem like a bad thing are special. So it will fail or get more expensive or it's causing us to spend more, can't win with the haters.

I was spot on when I estimated 18 million subs now. So that's about 1 million per month average since April.
 
I can only speak for myself but I definitely play more, and more varied, games using gamepass.

Haven't bought anything on Xbox since I got GamePass though. I personally don't really feel like DLC etc. is worth purchasing when I don't own the game.

Base games are usually priced far cheaper compared to dlc.

At least ones I have checked. You could get bundle for peace of mind.
 

mxbison

Member
"Why would anyone spend money on free mobile games?"
"Why would anyone spend money on porn?"
"Why would anyone spend money on GamePass?"

Tell them that their business model is not working, guys. They got it all wrong.
 

SaucyJack

Member
Didn’t we already have a thread based on the exact same marketing quotes from Microsoft?

The astroturfing and cheerleading about Gamepass is getting fucking tiresome.

Edit: and this is the thread with the exact same quotes from Bond of Microsoft.

https://www.neogaf.com/threads/game-pass’-massive-growth-is-bringing-developers-some-surprises.1597046/
 
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DavidGzz

Member
  • How does this statement not mean that Gamepass subscribers aren't satisfied with the offering, and they instead have to spend 20% more elsewhere?
I feel this particular statement is to please investors and shareholders and doesn't carry much weight until more it accompanies more concrete data and information.

DLC, and games leaving Game Pass being bought up at a discount are possibilities. Also people could be buying other games in a series that aren't part of Game Pass because they liked the prequel. Since people are trying more genres, they may also be buying games that are in the same genre after finding out they are fans.

Didn’t we already have a thread based on the exact same marketing quotes from Microsoft?

The astroturfing and cheerleading about Gamepass is getting fucking tiresome.

The conspiracy theories reference Game Pass and the salty tears never gets old though. Thanks.
 
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Jemm

Member
GamePass = 18M subs, many are $1-4/mo deals for 3 years. Also a dedicated console for each or you wait in queue, insanely expensive.
Netflix = 300M subs.

There are no dedicated cloud consoles for Game Pass users. The consoles in the cloud are for xCloud users, who make fraction of all the (Game Pass Ultimate) subscribers.

When you play on console or PC, the game is downloaded normally from the Store and GP just gives the license to play (tm).
 

ZywyPL

Banned
That actually makes sense, GP is sort of removing the entry barrier just like F2P games do, which then generate billions of revenue from all the add-on sales.

3 billion gamers.

karl pilkington bullshit GIF


Why? The mobile market alone is almost as large as entire human population itself, PC/laptops are as well present in almost every household, and of course we have the console market which adds another ~250MLN to the pool. That being said, they'll need flawlessly functioning xCloud first to reach that audience, otherwise they'll be limited to the number of XB consoles they sold and PC market.


GamePass = 18M subs, many are $1-4/mo deals for 3 years. Also a dedicated console for each or you wait in queue, insanely expensive.
Netflix = 300M subs.

Comparing it to Netflix is a complete joke.

Netflix didn't start at 300MLN subs, it also started from scratch and needed years and years (two decades actually) to get to the point where it is today. But then again, since Netflix works in just one way, just the output, it's so much easier to deploy it on such a huge userbase, whereas xCloud needs to process the player's input in order to work, multiple times within each second, as oppose to movies/music/audiobooks you cannot buffer the future gameplay, you cannot download it on local device for later etc., making it all so much more challenging. And I think until 5G network becomes as available as 3G is today, a.k.a. it's basically a given wherever you are, it won't take off and they won't be able to reach that huge mobile market they're chasing after, maybe they'll gain a bit of the old/weak laptops and PCs that are hooked on fast local wifi network, but that's about it. So I don't know, another 15-20 years? Because let's face it, it's WAY too early for streaming services, the infrastructure is simply not there, the bandwidth let alone the latency for remote gaming.
 
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Bo_Hazem

Banned
Netflix didn't start at 300MLN subs, it also started from scratch and needed years and years (two decades actually) to get to the point where it is today. But then again, since Netflix works in just one way, just the output, it's so much easier to deploy it on such a huge userbase, whereas xCloud needs to process the player's input in order to work, multiple times within each second, as oppose to movies/music/audiobooks you cannot buffer the future gameplay, you cannot download it on local device for later etc., making it all so much more challenging. And I think until 5G network becomes as available as 3G is today, a.k.a. it's basically a given wherever you are, it won't take off and they won't be able to reach that huge mobile market they're chasing after, maybe they'll gain a bit of the old/weak laptops and PCs that are hooked on fast local wifi network, but that's about it. So I don't know, another 15-20 years? Because let's face it, it's WAY too early for streaming services, the infrastructure is simply not there, the bandwidth let alone the latency for remote gaming.

And yet, Netflix is more self-dependent also you don't need to dedicate $300-500 HW + all necessary connections for one single user to use cloud that is mostly paying less than 1-4% of that which will take more than 5-10 years to break it even. Also that's not accounting the software deals and investments which are also pretty expensive.

So no, it will never reach Netflix level, ever.
 

ZywyPL

Banned
So no, it will never reach Netflix level, ever.

Yeah, watching movies/series is a waaay more popular activity than playing video games ever will (not to mention lack of account sharing), but the again, no one know how much bigger Netflix can further get in the next 10-20 years, and how popular gaming will be at the same time. Because we could see GP reaching let's say a 100M userbase, which will still be "nothing" compared to Netflix a billion or two. Time will tell, but like I said, without fully functioning xCloud MS's plans are going nowhere and all those number they're putting out are just there to please/blind their investors.
 

Bo_Hazem

Banned
Yeah, watching movies/series is a waaay more popular activity than playing video games ever will (not to mention lack of account sharing), but the again, no one know how much bigger Netflix can further get in the next 10-20 years, and how popular gaming will be at the same time. Because we could see GP reaching let's say a 100M userbase, which will still be "nothing" compared to Netflix a billion or two. Time will tell, but like I said, without fully functioning xCloud MS's plans are going nowhere and all those number they're putting out are just there to please/blind their investors.

If cloud gaming isn't costing $500/year or more for each sub, can't see cloud gaming becoming so popular/profitable. If Google and Amazon can't do it, MS and Sony can't. The hardware for it is just too expensive to make it sustainable. I can see PS Now dying first, but xCould will follow and the only way for GamePass or PS Now to survive is to be download-based to be played natively on consoles/PC.
 
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Alright

Banned
That actually makes sense, GP is sort of removing the entry barrier just like F2P games do, which then generate billions of revenue from all the add-on sales.




Why? The mobile market alone is almost as large as entire human population itself, PC/laptops are as well present in almost every household, and of course we have the console market which adds another ~250MLN to the pool. That being said, they'll need flawlessly functioning xCloud first to reach that audience, otherwise they'll be limited to the number of XB consoles they sold and PC market.
The whole article is bullshit and can be easily picked apart.

Let's do it step by step. Of the 7 billion people on this planet, how many:

have a place to live
have their own fixed accomodation
have electricity
have the internet
have enough money to buy luxury items
have enough money to buy games, accessories etc
have enough time/desire to game

Well under 3 billion people match that criteria. Then again, if Microsoft are basing their strategy on unachievable figures, then no wonder they keep coming up short. 🤷‍♂️

That's before we pick those %s apart.
 

Leyasu

Banned
Another xbox thread, same people all over it.

The 20% more spent I would imagine boils down to mtx, expansions and outright purchases of games that they like.

Bo_Hazem Bo_Hazem your talk about not having to buy hardware for netflix doesn't really make sense. You still need to buy a tv, a computer or a phone to watch it. Netflix doesn't beam directly into your head once you subscribe. Ofcourse lots of households have one or more of the above, but they still had to be bought in order to use said service.

Netflix was created to for people that watch tv. Gamepass was created for people that play videogames. They can be compared quite easily.

Also, you got some sauce for the amount of people using the 1$ upgrade? like what percentage are we talking about here???


Watching people turn themselves into human pretzels if sony announce their own service will be something to behold..
 
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Humdinger

Member
MS likes to act like GamePass is the cause for this; but it's far more likely just a correlation thing. Their biggest spenders probably are more likely to get something like GamePass, than their smaller spenders.

Yeah, good point. It's correlation, not causation. It could just be that people signing up for GP are the type of people to be more likely to spend more on gaming in the first place. I could see it going both ways. Some GP users do spend more on games -- buying DLC for a game on GP, or deciding to buy the game outright. Others spend less on games, once they sub to GP. I mean, that's the whole point of it, right? To save money. Surely that's reflected, for some, in reduced overall expenditure.

Anyhow, you're right that the figures alone don't tell the story. It's just a correlation. They are presuming that GP leads to increased game sales, and that's the story they're trying to tell the stockholders, but you can't infer that from the data. It's only a correlation.

To establish causality, you'd have to look at the individual timelines of the people who signed up for GP, then see whether they're spending increased or decreased afterwards. This might be a little tricky, since you wouldn't have a baseline for a lot of people. Many people signed up for GP when they got their Xbox, since they had the "introductory" offer of $1. And many have just continued that sub at a low rate. So they wouldn't have a pre-GP baseline you could compare to.
 
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Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
Bo_Hazem Bo_Hazem your talk about not having to buy hardware for netflix doesn't really make sense. You still need to buy a tv, a computer or a phone to watch it. Netflix doesn't beam directly into your head once you subscribe. Ofcourse lots of households have one or more of the above, but they still had to be bought in order to use said service.
It doesn't?! Time to cancel my subscription. (That direct beaming would be so cool though! lol)
Watching people turn themselves into human pretzels if sony announce their own service will be something to behold..
Pretty sure an announcement/some updates are coming this year.
 

TBiddy

Member
If cloud gaming isn't costing $500/year or more for each sub, can't see cloud gaming becoming so popular/profitable. If Google and Amazon can't do it, MS and Sony can't. The hardware for it is just too expensive to make it sustainable. I can see PS Now dying first, but xCould will follow and the only way for GamePass or PS Now to survive is to be download-based to be played natively on consoles/PC.

I think I speak for everyone when I say we'd love to see the calculations behind those.. "arguments" or whatever you'd like to call them.
 

IntentionalPun

Ask me about my wife's perfect butthole
Many people signed up for GP when they got their Xbox, since they had the "introductory" offer of $1. And many have just continued that sub at a low rate. So they wouldn't have a pre-GP baseline you could compare to.

There's also physical purchases that can't TRULY be tracked. MS can't tell the difference between you GameFly-ing, borrowing a game, buying it new, or buying it used.

So it's really just kind of a crapshoot data wise.. GamePass likely has more "all digital" people and thus people whose spending can be tracked.

MS could certainly narrow down a list of people who they have the sales data for (whose games played matches games bought digitally historically) and do some timelines though, but it would not represent general consumer habits necessarily, but a study of "the spending of people who were all digital before GamePass, and their spending after."

It's why I suspect they are focused so much on this correlation. Even internally they have their bosses to sell the story too as well lol
 
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ZywyPL

Banned
If cloud gaming isn't costing $500/year or more for each sub, can't see cloud gaming becoming so popular/profitable. If Google and Amazon can't do it, MS and Sony can't. The hardware for it is just too expensive to make it sustainable. I can see PS Now dying first, but xCould will follow and the only way for GamePass or PS Now to survive is to be download-based to be played natively on consoles/PC.

I think it will have to largely depend on DLC/MTX sales sooner or later - like you said, xCloud alone will most likely never be profitable on its own, so there will have to be a second layer/wave of income added to it. I mean, if F2P titles can sustain themselves and generate billions each year in the process through nothing but add-on sales, so can GP, potentially.


Bo_Hazem Bo_Hazem your talk about not having to buy hardware netflix doesn't really make sense. You still need to buy a tv, a computer or a phone to watch it. Netflix doesn't beam directly into your head once you subscribe. Ofcourse lots of households have one or more of the above, but they still had to be bought in order to use said service.

Netflix was created to for people that watch tv. Gamepass was created for people that play videogames. They can be compared quite easily.

He has a fair point, bare in mind it's the MS themselves who keeps mentioning the 3BLN figure, and from that number only a fraction actually comes from PC/XB, so if they really want to reach that audience they need to remove the hardware barrier the same way Netflix does, by utilizing all the possible equipment people already have.
 
Same for me. If ever I discover a game on Gamepass I like, I might buy the goty/complete edition when it's on sale on Steam/PSN or if they are lucky on Xbox store (usually their sales are not as good or they are not the first to offer deep discounts). DLC packs are overpriced.

I'm getting a Series X soon and it will be my GP machine. There is no need to buy any games on it. I don't see how that is good for developers long term but whatever. Get those cheques from MS while you can.
Poor developers...
 

SoraNoKuni

Member
As a sony fan I consider xsx as a gp machine only, and that's only if I can't get a gpu for the msrp price, but there is no way I'll ever buy a game or even a dlc on it.

That's the only thing that appeals to me, playing older games for almost free.

I don't see how this is sustainable for developers, but I can certainly get value out of it.
 
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