For a long time, I have this idea how Microsoft should structure and price the Game Pass. I am thinking of making it modular with a cheap entry price, and then having basically DLCs to enable certain services. This would also allow Microsoft to add in new services without restructuring everything again or screwing up the names.
The below list is just an idea how it could be structure and priced, I’m not saying this has to be exactly like that. What do you think?
--- Base ---
$7,99 Game Pass
(pc and console, includes console multiplayer,
50+ games dynamic library)
--- DLCs ---
+ $4,99 Plus Expansion
(full set 500+ games, including EA Play and Ubisoft+)
+ $9,99 Day 1 Ultimate
(including all first party games except Call of Duty,
plus day 1 premium games from third parties,
additional benefits, perks and rewards)
+ $1,99 Cloud Streaming S
(for supported titles of all your own games,
plus all Game Pass games)
+ $3,99 Cloud Streaming X
(like S but higher quality streaming, shorter wait times)
Xbox Live Silver subscription: Free - provides basic online functionality for games that require it and basic features like Friends list, but does not include premium features such as online matchmaking or voice chat. 1GB of cloud storage for game save files only.
Xbox Live Gold subscription: $5 USD / mo - includes Silver, and all premium features including online matchmaking and voice chat. 5GB of cloud storage for game save files, video clips, message inbox, or other console related data.
Games should be $60 USD or less one time purchase, FREE with MTX or paid expansions, or some other monetization, or $40 one time purchase with optional expansions at $10 or less each that only gate new content and not game improvements, pre-existing content, or QoL. Removing, deleting, “sunsetting,” or otherwise making previously accessible content inaccessible is grounds for publisher and/or developer total removal from the platform. All digital games must be discounted at least by the calculated cost of producing physical goods per unit.
No subscription model for renting digital games. Game licenses are non-revokable, but include a clause that states that players access to online features may be removed if they are determined to be cheating, exploiting, or otherwise playing unfairly with regards the rules of the game.
The games market should be survival of the fittest. Developers should be encouraged to make the best gameplay experience they can, not the best ATM they can. Players will want to play games that are fun and have a monetization model they agree with. Let players decide, not executives.