Game Dev Warns Against Launching on Game Pass
▼ Summary
– Raccoon Logic partnered with Microsoft to launch Revenge of the Savage Planet on Xbox Game Pass day-one, but studio head Alex Hutchinson warns this can “devalue” games and harm the industry.
– Hutchinson suggests games should only join subscription services a year after release, advocating for a traditional movie-like release model to preserve value.
– Despite Game Pass driving most initial traffic, full-game sales for Revenge of the Savage Planet have been “good,” though Hutchinson notes no significant boost in DLC or friend purchases.
– Hutchinson acknowledges Microsoft’s Game Pass payments were impactful earlier but now only benefit tiny games or major brands, though he praises Microsoft as a partner.
– Sony and Nintendo avoid day-one subscription launches, with Sony citing ecosystem concerns and Nintendo maintaining game value through price stability.
Game developers face a growing dilemma when deciding whether to launch new titles on subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. While these platforms offer immediate exposure, some industry veterans argue they may ultimately harm game sales and devalue creative work.
Alex Hutchinson, studio head at Raccoon Logic, recently shared his mixed experience after releasing Revenge of the Savage Planet as a day-one Game Pass title. Though Microsoft’s subscription service drove significant player engagement, Hutchinson noted that full-price purchases lagged behind. The game remains available on PlayStation consoles, but the bulk of its audience came from Game Pass rather than traditional sales.
Hutchinson believes the gaming industry should adopt a delayed release model, similar to how films premiere in theaters before reaching streaming platforms. “Waiting at least a year before adding games to subscriptions would help preserve their value,” he argued. Without such safeguards, he warns that smaller studios, especially those without publisher backing, could struggle to sustain themselves as players grow accustomed to accessing content for minimal cost.
Despite securing a financial deal with Microsoft, Hutchinson admitted the long-term impact concerns him. While upfront payments from Game Pass provided crucial funding, he observed that player spending habits have shifted, with fewer users willing to purchase additional content or recommend full-priced copies to friends. “This trend could lead to fewer games being made and more studios shutting down,” he cautioned.
Microsoft’s approach contrasts sharply with competitors. Sony avoids adding new first-party titles to PlayStation Plus at launch, citing concerns over eroding game value, while Nintendo maintains premium pricing for its catalog. Hutchinson praised Nintendo’s strategy, calling it the only major publisher resisting the “race to zero” in content valuation.
Before founding Raccoon Logic, Hutchinson led development on major franchises like Assassin’s Creed III and Far Cry 4 at Ubisoft. His previous studio, Typhoon Studios, was acquired by Google before its Stadia shutdown, prompting him to establish Raccoon Logic in 2021. The team’s latest project, Revenge of the Savage Planet, serves as a case study in the risks and rewards of subscription-based distribution—a debate that will likely intensify as the industry evolves.
(Source: Game Spot)
