Xbox Game Pass is playing a crucial role in sustaining the diversity and viability of modern single-player games, according to Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming. In a recent interview, Spencer emphasized that one of the key motivations behind launching Xbox Game Pass was to offer developers a way to resist the pressure of turning every title into a live-service game.
As the service approaches its eighth anniversary on June 1, the company has continued to highlight its successes. Although Microsoft no longer regularly discloses specific user growth figures, it has shared other notable achievements, such as a record-setting revenue during the second quarter of its fiscal year 2025. Despite ongoing scrutiny over its business model from shareholders and publishers, Microsoft maintains that Xbox Game Pass is not only viable but also highly beneficial in various ways—some of which may not be immediately apparent.
During his talk with XboxEra, Phil Spencer recognized the impact of Xbox Game Pass on single-player games. He shared that the subscription service was designed to support titles with clear beginnings, middles, and ends, indirectly confirming that Double Fine Productions is working on another single-player project.
While acknowledging the gaming industry’s shift towards live-service formats, Spencer stressed that Microsoft has never aimed to exclusively focus on these types of games. He expressed reservations about seeing every game become service-based, which contributed to the decision to launch Xbox Game Pass. Spencer sees the service as a platform that can shine a light on smaller single-player experiences, making them less reliant on traditional sales and more commercially successful.
This strategy comes alongside internal challenges, as evidenced by Microsoft’s mid-2024 closures of some Xbox studios, including one that developed the highly praised rhythm game Hi-Fi Rush. Despite Microsoft’s insistence on the game’s success relative to its budget, not all projects are exempt from the financial expectations typical in the gaming industry.
Looking ahead to 2025, Xbox Game Pass will welcome a wide array of new single-player games from both Microsoft and other studios. Among these are promising titles showcased at the recent Xbox Developer Direct, such as Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Before these eagerly anticipated releases, players can dive into Obsidian’s Avowed on February 18. This single-player fantasy RPG has been accessible since February 13 for early access players and Xbox Game Pass subscribers who opted for the Premium Upgrade Addon.
With a robust lineup of single-player experiences on the horizon, Xbox Game Pass continues to be a transformative force in the gaming landscape, supporting a wide range of game types and ensuring that narrative-driven adventures remain an integral part of the industry’s future.
