Opinion: If Xbox Is 'Just' A Game Pass Machine, That's Still Enough For Me

next gen i wont buy an xbox i will just have gamepass and stream the games from my series X thats good enough for me

And, for me, that is where the issue of whether I get the next Xbox lies, @FraserG. I understand that people predominantly, or even only, play Game Pass games on the Xbox, but I haven't played one on there for well over a year (although I do intend to do so later this month when I play Expedition 33). If you are a moderate to heavy Game Pass consumer, then having an Xbox makes sense. If you are not, like myself, it is making less and less sense to own one now. Will there be a need to own both consoles next generation if you do not use Game Pass? Probably not.

I think keeping my Series X is the most sensible option, and then subscribing to Game Pass as and when there is something I want to play, but not buy...

No interest in subscriptions on any console. Plus I feel better and superior paying for my games individually.

Some great additions to Game Pass this year, with more to come over the next couple of years. I am not sure if I will get the next Xbox, but to be honest, it's hardly like PlayStation has tons of new exclusives that I want to play, and Xbox offers better system features.

For me, the next-gen console pick will boil down to which one has the better system features and services.

« I definitely don't think it means Xbox consoles aren't worth buying anymore. »
Because you’ve been a big Xbox fan for a while and probably build a huge library of digital games.

For the average person, there is no reason to switch from « PlayStation » to Xbox, more than ever.

Since getting my series X last year, I’ve had GPU a total of nine months.

I tried a decent number of games but didn’t really focus on any other than High On Life and Indiana Jones.

GPU is definitely not a huge draw for me and once I use the last 3-month code I’m still holding onto, I doubt I’ll uae it again. I’m one of those oddballs that likes owning his games.

@Sindayl This. I got my series X purely to try out some backward compatible stuff and play some XBox exclusives. If it weren’t for Forza Horizon 4 and 5 I’d likely have sold it already. I’m glad I kept it due to the greater BC available (Batman Arkham Origins on a modern console, yay!) but definitely feel no need to make the XBox a GPU machine.

I would say until Sony follows MS by putting its major first-party games on competing consoles, it doesn't really feel fully necessary to own an XSX if you don't subscribe to Game Pass.

Yes, I think Sony will eventually follow suit but they won't do it like MS is.

Personally, I think pc is where it’s at for gamepass right now. In addition with pc, you get access to most of Sony’s exclusives, have the option to take advantage of both Ubisoft and EA’s day one titles on their equivalent gamepass services and benefit from multiple storefronts and competitive pricing for purchasing titles. Gamepass for PC is also 33% cheaper than ultimate on Xbox and gives the same day one title benefits.

Gamepass is great no doubt. No argument.

But the barrier to entry is getting more expensive - consoles going up, next gen a potential ‘mini pc’, the handheld looking to be £500.

Casuals won’t pay that. People will roll back on a second console. It’s £500 then £240 a year to rent games (and probably going up). Because they aren’t doing conversions/points/3rd party sites.

So many current aren’t paying the £15 a month and as conversion/points are being lowered. People will start questioning another subscription cost (again it’s still great value) in this economy

This is why MS want cloud, play anywhere because then they do away with expensive loss leader consoles. Everyone has GP on tv instead. But infrastructure isn’t there.

So MS is stuck in a middle ground - if you already have an Xbox library, it’s awesome. But if not it’s a bit meh. I still believe that a GP light will hit Sony/nintendo systems.

If cloud gaming gets good enough you could own a PC handheld to play indie games natively, then dock it to your TV and play GPU stuff at 4k. It's enough for me right now but I still dip in and out as I sometimes take time out to play games I've bought.

On balance the choice is absolutely excellent, but once cloud gets figured out GPU is no longer a good reason to buy Xbox hardware!

Sounds like the writer is the acceptance phase of the grieving process.

But yeah, Game Pass has had an unusually strong year so far, and that looks set to continue with DOOM: The Dark Ages. I do plan on subbing at some point to experience some of these games on PC.

An Xbox is never "just" a gamepass machine. Especially if you get into dev mode and...mess around with some things there.

I have nothing against Game Pass and think it’s great value for what it offers. Issue for me is i’m just not interested in most of the games on it. I dont play a ton of games anymore, so i focus on what i’m really interested in. This year the games i’m interested in are AC Shadows, KCD2, Death Stranding 2, Shinobi, Mafia, Phantom Blade Zero, Ghost of Yotei, GTA6 and Fable, mostly isn’t on there.

Even if i was subscribed to Game Pass, i’d still need to buy those games separately.

Now that Fable got delayed, there’s really nothing on it that i’m interested in, maybe Clair Obscur, but if it’s just one or a few games it makes much more sense for me to just buy them individually.

It would be fine if the only games i wanted to play we’re the games on Game Pass, but they’re not. So for someone like me who isn’t that into Xbox games, Game Pass is not going to be of much value. But i can see how it’s an awesome service for others

I've owned systems from many companies, I tend to keep coming back to Xbox and Nintendo. Personally, gamepass is awesome! I do probably 75% on Series X and the other 25% on PC; but primarily it's just games on gamepass.

I have no interest in PC gaming so I bought an Xbox to be able to play some of my favorite staple franchises of the brand such as Forza, Halo and Gears of War along with whatever else Xbox had cooking. Now with these games no longer being locked to Xbox and instead releasing on Playstation, I don't see the value in investing in Xbox hardware any longer when I could buy a PS6 and play these Xbox games I have grown to love as well as play some amazing looking Playstation games likes Spiderman, Wolverine, Ghost of Tsushima / Yotei etc that I have missed out on this gen. Gamepass has always been a bonus, something that allowed me to check a game out and if I liked it I bought it, just like I have been purchasing all my games for the past 20+ years. Gamepass is not a very big factor to me and not enough to sway me to stay on Xbox.

The next Xbox could cost $1000 and it would still be a great value for me thanks to all the value I derive from Game Pass. I will definitely continue to buy Xbox even without exclusives.

Even if everything releases Day 1 on Playstation, I still feel Xbox Consoles will have a place - I prefer the controller layout and of course I have a long history on Xbox with a LOT of Digital purchases that won't transfer to Playstation. Not only that, Some Xbox games are Play Anywhere so I get the PC versions too. So even without considering the value that Game Pass offers, the benefits of sticking with Xbox outweighs the option to 'buy' everything on Playstation. I'm sure I'd play a LOT less games if I only bought a Playstation as many I wouldn't even try if they weren't in a Sub service...

I can't afford to be paying full price these days for games, so Game Pass has been a blessing for me. I currently have 20 games installed on my Series S and only 1 of them was purchased from the store which was Cyberpunk 2077, and that only cost me £16, heavily discounted with MS Points 😁, all the others are Game Pass.

I bought my series X in 2022 to be a game pass machine. Microsoft rewards was the unexpected icing which lets me buy and play non-GP games too, plus a disc drive to use Best Buy credit. I haven’t paid for many games since.

It’s totally different than a PC, and much cheaper. I’d still like a cheap pc to run indie stuff that isn’t on Xbox, but I don’t have time.

I’ve been gaming since 89 and was a sega head. I had Nintendo also but had love for sega a tad more. I’ve seen the 32x and the jaguar and virtual boy and ngage come and go. But Xbox and their innovation have landed a special place in my heart. I like Sony and Nintendo but the Xbox offerings suit me well. GPU is nice, how it’s “niche” is beyond me. But the gaming market is weird I know folks who will stream all day on Spotify but scream about ownership of games have prime for deals and video but they have to own the game or whatever. I play games like I listen to music and some games I do buy but ownership of GAME is not the hill I die on.

@FraserG Great article!!

I personally think Xbox has never been stronger. They're going from strength to strength imo. Game Pass is an absolute beast of a service and one that feeds our habits excessively well.

Do I care that other platforms get to play a portion of our games? No.

Does it make any difference to how we enjoy our games if others can enjoy them too, whatsoever? No.

The platform is outstanding and the game output, even from just MS, has never been stronger. They're dishing them out like Halloween candy - so much so they can shadow drop massive games and announce big games like it's nothing.

Next gen is only going to be all the more exciting based on the projects we know exist, and the bits we know about them.

I went back through my entire Xbox play history back through 2021 and tallied up the number so I could answer this poll accurately. It’s pretty much bang on 50%. However, when I take into consideration the other platforms that I play on (Steam and Switch) that percentage falls dramatically. Why is that relevant? Time is why. The more time I spend playing on Steam and Switch is less time available for Game Pass (as I’ll always prioritise Xbox games that I actually own first). And I’m finding the available time is being squeezed, mainly because Sony is becoming increasingly active on Steam in publishing their own games and as aggressive as ever in securing third party exclusives that I can’t access on Xbox. So I’m finding I have less spare time for making use of Game Pass at the time when it’s become by far the main selling point of the consoles. Awkward!

I’m in too deep now, I’ve got a digital library of games, hardware accessories, but perhaps most importantly of all; thousands of hours of save files of which the majority can’t be carried over to PC.

For me, by far the biggest advantage of Xbox we have remaining is Microsoft Rewards. It’s not as good as it once was, but it’s still absolutely worth my time. I’m still able to buy games fully funded by Rewards points - I just have to be a lot more frugal and picky than I used to be. Whether they will continue to reduce the benefits over time until it no longer becomes a key advantage of Xbox is the question though…

I'm happy on Xbox and on gamepass it's great value great games I buy the games I want to own and there's always loads on gamepass lately it works for me ✌️

@trev666 If they up the resolution and improve fps for streaming on Xbox there won't be any reason to buy the next gen Xbox ha in a perfect world anyways ha ✌️

Yes, Xbox S is a Game Pass Machine for me and was a perfect pickup at a perfect price a few years ago. Also introduced me to all things Xbox. Will play it out until doesn't work as such anymore. Would need a similar value proposition for future console purchase, but doubt that's going to happen.

I'm more than fine riding out this gen with Xbox which is indeed more than a gamepass machine. But there's too little info for next gen to pretend there's no chance I'll go back to just PC gaming.

Taken literally, "just a game pass machine" is not enough for me. The most important games to me are usually not on game pass. If 3rd parties without game pass deals pull support in increasing numbers (which is the natural state for any console with declining sales, see the Saturn, Dreamcast, Gamecube, Wii U to name a few), then no, a game pass machine isn't for me.

My most played games on Xbox in 2024 were Remnant 2 (purchased long before it was added to game pass), Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth, WH40K Rogue Trader, Dragon's Dogma 2 (my GOTY), Elden Ring (DLC), WH40K Darktide, Diablo 4 (purchased before game pass), Lords of the Fallen, Dead Island 2, and Space Marine 2.

So in my top 10 most played games, 3 were on game pass (when I played them).

if I'm deciding between Xbox or PlayStation right now, I'm leaning 100% towards Xbox.

Well this I can say for certain I would choose the same.

For me it's around 90 - 95%, just love the huge selection and genres of games on offer on a regular basis.
Still buy (too many 😁) games of course, regardless of said games being on GamePass or not.

@Kaloudz I’m a little confused on how they’ve ever been stronger? In terms of money making, yes. Their strategy of going multiplatform is going to be major damage to the brand for people. They’re losing people now and when they go day one on PS that could be the end of them as a console maker. Maybe I’m just not understanding you but I fully expect they will become a subscription/publisher entity in the near future.

I think at this point if you have been on XBox for along period of time the question for next gen is PC or Xbox Console given the large library of games I could still play on PC due to XBox Anywhere ,which deserves more love than its gets, switching to PS would be silly given most PS games are coming to PC now. So unless you have a small library of games I am not sure MS loses as the logical choice if you do not buy the next Xbox console is PC

@FatalBubbles There's a misconception that they're conceding the hardware space - when in fact, that could not be further from the truth. They've got next gen in the works, handheld in the works, several controller variations in the works, and more besides. They're making a massive push for game streaming (especially this last year) and from what we know of next gen, they're aiming for feature competitive hardware too.

In regards to never being stronger - their game output is outstanding right now. Consider what they've released this year so far, first party, and we're not even a full five months in. They're churning games out like there's no tomorrow, and that's not to mention what we see turn up at the summer showcase. We already know they have a massive game hitting next year, and that's not factoring in Dev Direct 26.

Meanwhile, on Game Pass, we're getting nonstop killer months - bolstered by massive third party hits such as Expedition 33, and amazing day one games - as well as amazing day one first party games (DOOM this month, for instance). Past all that, we still have countless Game Pass drops to come throughout the year that we don't know about yet - and that doesn't even include a single announcement from all the upcoming events yet to pass.

It's a killer time to play Xbox IMO, and I don't recall a time where playing and subscribing to Xbox has been stronger than it is now, and it just keeps getting better and better.

Series X and S are both great consoles. They offer a lot more than just gamepass. Yes gamepass is amazing and the best deal out there but both consoles are great even without it.

Series S with the xscreen attached is underrated. Such a great device. I can't wait to see the next line of hardware they offer. I dont think xbox has ever had a more exciting future.

it being a gamepass machine isn’t an issue moreso than that there’s no reason to have one because it’s competition(s) has all its games & then some

you’re kneecaping yourself by only having an xbox

It used to be that Xbox has no games and now Xbox has too many games on Gamepass and too many of their exclusives on PS…. Just grumble away friends… grumble away… For me I came for Starfield and stayed as Gamepass was just too amazing not to have…

@Kaloudz I appreciate the optimism but a company charging more for the X than a PS5 Pro is not seriously trying to sell consoles. The handheld is for sure happening. I know they said they’re working on a new console but we are years out and that IMO could be cancelled.

In terms of GP this year has been great. After a bummer of a year last year I gave tons to play and it’s been fun.

Xbox is now run by c-suite MS execs All they care about is the bottom line. The best bottom line for them does not include consoles as they have testified they have NEVER made money on them. Their best route for making money is subs on PC and handheld and 3rd party publisher.

EDIT: I think the fact the handheld is a partnership and not them making it also points to their exit.

@FatalBubbles I mean when you say the SX costs as much as a PS5 Pro, you're taking the special edition 2TB version when the base version is less the cost. It's a hard comparison to take too seriously but I do get your point. I think Sony will price hike too (I daresay the Pro is what's holding them back from doing so).

As for the handheld, I believe their first party 2027 handheld combats that. I'd hazard a guess that they're testing interest with this third party one but their first party 2027 release will more than likely be tied to next gen.

I don't see, at all, any reality where they cancel next gen hardware. They're neck deep in hardware right now. It wouldn't make any sense 😕

@Kaloudz That special X is just speckled with same storage as the Pro. A terrible deal in comparison.

I hope you’re right about them not exiting because I’ve gotten some insane value from GP. I just don’t think where it appears things are going.

@Kaloudz it’s not a hard comparison at all though.

It’s literally there in black and white. A regular version of the series X with a slightly bigger hard drive is currently more expensive than a ps5 pro. And what about when the (ASU’s) handheld console comes out more expensive than a series X?

There is all the sales happening on PS and switch to come, everyone saying that it’s going to be great for Xbox players, when in reality all they have got so far in return is more expensive games and hardware. Directly after announcing record revenue.

I know that you are one of Xbox biggest cheerleaders, but sometimes a bad decision can be criticised.

If I need "just a Gamepass machine" my PC does it, cheaper.

Hard to justify a premium price for walled garden that requires you pay to even play online.

Meanwhile my PC lets play Xbox, Playstation, PC, and VR, all in the same place.

@PsBoxSwitchOwner I wouldn't say I'm a cheerleader 😅 I'm not that spry. Announcing record sales doesn't really come into it though. That's a whole different kettle of fish. I believe the tariff raise from our favourite orange face played a part in this and Xbox won't be the only hike in due course.

As for handheld, that's a different portion of the market with a different demographic. Folks buy into handheld for different reasons so a lot of it boils down to what this offers, and what the 2027 version will offer.

@FatalBubbles Totally agree with you on the 2TB version. That's overpriced. They backed themselves into a corner with these expensive storage techs, but it is what it is I guess.

They certainly won't exit though. Nothing at all points to that. They're full steam ahead and have finally found an outstanding release rythm. I just don't see them forking out all the money they have spent on acquisitions in recent years to concede and allow the dominant platform holder to call the shots through software. It just wouldn't add up.

Just reading the thumbnail and this article can get bent.

Xbox has always been just a gamepass machine for me personally. Only bought 2 games in the 4+ years of having one and have gotten hundreds of hours of enjoyment from a "free" subscription. I highly doubt I'll invest in the Next-box u less it's wildly appealing, but as long as cloud streaming works as flawlessly as it does our little S will always have an hdmi spot saved for it!

0% I dont like subscription based services.

Xbox feels cooked, Phil has ruined the brand with his "everything is an Xbox" approach. It's just going to be little more than Bethesda/Actibliz in the future with Gamepass being the only "Xbox" thing still remaining.

Do I still enjoy having my Xbox consoles? Yes, because of everything they have to offer from the past. Do I plan on staying with Xbox after this gen? No, I don't see the reason. My One and Series consoles have me well covered when it comes to my digital library, and I don't see any reason to continue investing in this brand beyond this generation.

I am going to be buying most my games on PS5 for now on and if I stick to a console for next gen it's easily going to be a PS6. I am over subscriptions for the most part as well, I just don't like having to pay routine fees for services if I am not really into the latest offerings they have. I only want to stick with the basic Gamepass Core or PS+ Essential, and when it comes to that PS+ is by far the better service with it's monthly games while Gamepass Core only seems to offer the same few games forever with not much in the way of new offerings to feel worthwhile outside of being a necessity for online gaming.

I will probably just go PC next gen to be honest because I am so tired of feeling forced to pay for subscriptions on consoles.

0%, I tried Psychonauts 2 once to a certain point. That's it. End of story. Good game, fair service..... I jump between retro/modern era all the time, so a subscription will never work for me ever. I don't want to commit to a game, I want to play what I'm in the mood for, so if it's quality game design I'll play it and go between others for a break from them, or bored or come back or different feeling controller or whatever the case. Sub services just don't work for me and I refuse to give money away to companies like that. Picking up releases no one wants I want physical sure, but sub services no thanks, not happening.

It works for some people no doubt, but it just doesn't work for me.

If Forza Motorsport 2023 was what i wanted, I'd be playing it like I did with 6 & 7 to catch up to them. Instead I bought FM1 2005 and it was a blast. Modern era Xbox hasn't been my thing so besides the few I respect of Hi Fi Rush/South of Midnight, I've got no interest. I could play them but I'm not sure. They are kind of and kind of not my thing based on some parts of design. I respect them more then others formulaic design that's for sure, and these games know what they want to be and have passion and I respect that. Their goals are defined well and executed as such then others variety and attempts and formulaic design I just don't like so why would I use a service/console/play what I don't care for.

I even tell my book store no to their membership & it's a running joke. Some people think I'm going to. Not going to happen. I've dealt enough with retail & digital to know. Heck if I can get the TV series in complete (if niche series and all on disk which for niche series they are) I can besides 'digital means to read' pay less for a blu-ray then it does all the books in a series via their store or ordering in increments. But like many of them there have that kind of mentality at all to think about how i can experience something or just not experience it at all. They think oh save money, yeah not with your store/membership and how it works, that's for sure. Not giving it to you to flush down the toilet like that. They don't deserve the extra for money saving membership mentality shoving in customers faces.

Most I can get on any other console or for a cheap enough price I don't mind getting. Got Grid Legends for $30, didn't care for EA Play or Gamepass or PS+ offering of it I bought it around the time Gamepass was going to offer it too.

Family use it on occasion. I have no need for it. I barely even use my Xbox One as it is, I also barely use my PS4 as it is right now. I have gone retro and a bit off Switch when I feel like it.

Part 2:
30+ 2024 games all retro besides Splatoon 2.

This year it's been OG Xbox/360 and Switch, so about half and half of the 6 or so games this year.

So besides the odd digital/demo yeah I haven't cared for AAA, I do odd AA and mostly AAA/AA retro and odd Indies on Switch/PS4 if I find anything of interest physical/digital. Otherwise yeah I have no need at all.

Xbox is my back compat, blu-ray, Soundcloud/Youtube and odd Xbox One games box. So basically not much. It's the 3rd console for me type of console uses for it right now. My PS4 had been but Xbox kind of always has been for me due to the many exclusives and the OS just not really appealing to me at all.

So PS4/Switch or retro is all I really do. Pre-owned retro, pre-owned or odd full price niche games as I know I'll never see them again and don't want to deal with ordering and few copies. So other then that mostly pre-owned or lower priced new game prices because most just aren't exciting design.

I can look back and forth at PS3/360 design, I can 8th/9th gen design and go that I'm ok with and 99% of the time ignore the rest due to current trends, design mentality by devs/pubs and more of AAA, AA and even Indies. They all do it the more I research, play and ignore.

That is a fair opinion but a gamepass machine isn't enough value for me. At least we have options though & that is a plus. I like to buy physical but I'm a niche group

psyched for DOOM dark ages, this will definitely be my favorite game pass release