We once again appreciate the FTC’s trial of Microsoft to block its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The trial is just the gift that keeps on giving, revealing executive statements, corporate sentiment and behind-the-scenes deals we’ve never heard of.
Just recently, we learned that Bethesda was caught off guard and confused by Microsoft’s commitment to keep Activision Blizzard’s games multiplatform, while keeping Bethesda’s titles locked to Xbox and PC.
We also learn when Sony expects the PlayStation 6 to launch, and how the company plans to keep Activision Blizzard out of development if it becomes a subsidiary of rival Microsoft.
Today, through a new evidence-gathering hearing, we get some insight into the publisher’s thinking about Xbox Game Pass. At least, according to PlayStation boss Jim Ryan. Game publishers don’t like Game Pass, the executive said in pre-recorded testimony to IGN.
“I’ve talked to all the publishers, and they unanimously don’t like Game Pass because it destroys value,” Ryan reportedly said.
The statement came amid general comments on Microsoft’s business, in which Ryan also said, “There appear to be some challenges with the Game Pass business model, and Microsoft appears to be losing a lot of money on this.”
Sony has been against the Game Pass model of releasing first-party games on day one. While the service’s popularity has spurred the expansion of PlayStation Plus tiers, none can match the Game Pass library and high-profile launches.
PlayStation insists that the model is unsustainable for the types of games it makes (single-player, story-based offline titles), and has yet to release any of those titles to PlayStation Plus on day one.
