What you need to know
- Microsoft has greatly expanded its first-party studios in recent years.
- Xbox Game Pass is the company's game subscription service like Netflix.
- The company said it wants to add a new first-party game to Xbox Game Pass regularly.
- You can purchase Xbox Game Pass Ultimate through the Microsoft Store for $1 at the moment.
At E3 2019, Microsoft announced that it had acquired Psychonauts developer Double Fine Productions. Over the past year, the company has dramatically expanded its first-party studios and it doesn't seem like it plans on stopping anytime soon. However, what does this mean for game releases? Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty revealed what he hopes to accomplish with these aggressive acquisitions.
Speaking with Ryan McCaffrey at IGN, Booty said the following about the schedule of game releases.
I think about like how long you spend with a game and just sort of the cadence of discovery there. So if you can do a game every three months, and if a game takes somewhere between two years and four years, I mean, just think about things that have come out recently, you know, things like Red Dead Redemption 2 and God of War need to be getting into five, six years... But let's just say for the sorts of studios, like a Ninja Theory or a Double Fine Productions that two, three years starts to be the cadence... So, then if you've got a game a quarter and you're taking two to three years, you can kind of back into the math and say... you probably need somewhere between ten and twelve studios... making games is not yet a perfect science... There's no creative endeavor that is. So there's going to be things that take longer. There's going to be some things that we start and say, hey, great idea, but it just isn't, you know, the jello doesn't want to set... so I think we need some... buffer in there... We'd love to be feeding a high-quality game into Xbox Game Pass about every three months.
Hopefully Microsoft will be able to deliver a first-party game ever three month into Xbox Game Pass. However, they need to be quality experiences so that they draw users in. Even Netflix needs shows like Stranger Things to attract customers.
Do you think the company will be able to deliver on this promise? Let us know. Game development is difficult, but given the sheer number of Xbox Game Studios at the moment, it's definitely possible. It'll be interesting to see how the service expands in the future.
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in one
Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over a hundred games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends.
Xbox accessories you'll love
Every one of these quality accessories is guaranteed to enhance your Xbox experience.
PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox One ($20 at Amazon)
PowerA's take on the Xbox One controller is an attractive pickup for budget-conscious gamers that nails all the basics.
Talon PDP Xbox media remote ($20 at Amazon)
The Talon PDP Xbox media remote is great for watching shows on your console.
Xbox One S vertical stand ($10 at Amazon)
Stand your console upright with this accessory.
