Xbox executive Sarah Bond shared some new data about the Xbox Game Pass that sheds light on some of the trends and behaviors of subscribers. She told Forbes that Game Pass subscribers tend to play more games overall and – very important to Xbox and its partners – spend more money.
Bond said that Game Pass users:
- Spend 20% more time playing
- Play 30% more games
- Play 40% more genres
- Spend 20% more money on the game in general
Also in the interview, Bond said that Game Pass has a different value proposition compared to a video streaming service like Netflix because Game Pass leads to even more ways to spend money.
“When you subscribe to a channel that lets you watch a video, like Netflix, that’s the end of the monetization cycle you have with that content,” she said. “In games it is the opposite: there are items you can buy in the game, there are extensions you can buy, there is an upcoming franchise you can buy, there are other genres you can jump into.”
Bond also mentioned that Microsoft is promoting its xCloud streaming service because the vast majority of people who play do not have a console, so streaming helps reach people who may have only one phone or who do not wish to play on the console / PC.
“There are 200 million people who buy a console and 3 billion people who play,” said Bond. “Today, a lot of these people don’t have the option to play many of the amazing experiences and iconic games you see. When you really look at what we’re doing with Game Pass, we’re making it possible by linking this to subscription, and putting our streaming on subscription. We are able to make the economics of it all work. “
The Xbox Game Pass had 18 million subscribers in January 2021. The catalog grows each month with additional titles, including 20 from Bethesda that arrived this month after Microsoft acquired ZeniMax for $ 7.5 billion. The former Nintendo Switch exclusive Octopath Traveler arrives on March 25. For more information, check out all the games that arrive and leave the Game Pass in March.
In addition to old games from the previous catalog, the Xbox Game Pass features original games that are released on the day and date of the program, which means that subscribers can play Halo Infinite this fall at no extra cost.
For more games to play on Xbox One or Xbox Series X this month, check out our guides to the best Xbox One games of all time and the best Xbox Series X games available so far. In addition, Game Pass subscribers should check out the best games available with the Xbox Game Pass now. To play these games and enjoy this month’s Games with Gold giveaways, new subscribers can get the first month for $ 1.
