At Xbox, our straightforward goal is to make gaming an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone around the globe. We strive to provide a platform where you have the freedom to play your preferred games, with your chosen companions, at any location of your choice. As we gear up for our inaugural Xbox and Bethesda Showcase this Sunday – where we plan to reveal our most extensive game lineup to date – Phil Spencer, the Head of Xbox, and Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, touched upon the significance of gaming for Microsoft and the world at large. We also provided fresh insights on how Xbox Game Pass is revolutionizing how we explore, engage, and play games, and how Xbox, along with its 23 studios, are bringing more games to a wider variety of screens.
Spencer underscores that gaming is about uniting people rather than just about hardware and software or pixels. He believes that games are a medium to bridge gaps and build relationships, fostering empathy among people worldwide. The essence of gaming is the joy and sense of community it provides, which is why we exist in this space.
Echoing the sentiment, Nadella emphasizes that gaming aligns seamlessly with Microsoft’s overarching mission. Xbox’s endeavor to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone globally aligns perfectly with Microsoft’s mission to enable every individual and organization worldwide to achieve more.
Microsoft, as a company, is fully committed to gaming, considering it to be the most vibrant category within the entertainment sector. With three billion consumers resorting to gaming for entertainment, community, creation, and a feeling of accomplishment, our goal is to empower each one of them, regardless of where they play.
We are confident that Microsoft can take a leading role in democratizing gaming and shaping the future of interactive entertainment. We have a competitive edge in three critical areas: our cloud computing leadership, the resources we possess to develop our subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, and our unwavering focus on empowering creators.
On our journey to engage billions of players with Xbox, we have some fresh updates on Xbox Game Pass’s success and the future of Xbox:
Xbox Game Pass is Revolutionizing Game Discovery, Connection, and Play
- Participants of Xbox Game Pass are exploring 30% more genres and playing 40% more games. Over 90% of members stated that they tried games they would not have without Game Pass.
- Partners have noticed an average engagement increase of over 8x upon entering the Game Pass library.
- Whether purchasing games inside or outside the library or buying additional content for the games they enjoy, members spend 50% more than non-members.
- Xbox Game Pass has emerged as a genuine discovery engine, a platform for connection and community that boosts game sales. Some of the new insights include:
- Our partnership with EA Play in Game Pass Ultimate has led to significant player engagement with EA’s subscription service. Compared to pre-integration, EA Play has seen record usage on Microsoft platforms, leading to a 200% increase in hours played. This has helped EA’s extensive portfolio of games to reach and win over millions of new fans on the Xbox platform.
- The recently launched Square Enix game, Outriders, was the top-selling digital game on Xbox in its launch week and one of the top 10 selling digital games on Xbox in April. Game Pass has introduced the game to millions of players.
- MLB: The Show 21 saw the largest sports game launch in the past year on Xbox and ranks as the second-largest sports game launch of all time on Xbox. Game Pass garnered millions of new fans and significantly expanded Major League Baseball’s player base. MLB: The Show 21 also became the top-selling paid game on Xbox for the month of April.
Xbox and Xbox Game Pass Broaden Their Reach
- Xbox is in collaboration with TV manufacturers worldwide to incorporate the Xbox interface directly into smart TVs, removing the need for any additional devices other than a controller.
- With the aim of bringing more players into its fold, Xbox is considering new subscription plans for its Game Pass, creating an immersive gaming experience across various devices, locations, and economic contexts.
- Xbox is also collaborating with telecom operators to introduce new purchasing options, such as the Xbox All Access that enables users to acquire a console and Game Pass for a nominal monthly fee instead of a hefty upfront payment.
- Xbox is developing its own streaming devices for cloud gaming, making it possible for gamers to play on any TV or monitor without the necessity of a console.
- Later in the year, cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will be made available in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan.
- In a few weeks, all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members will have access to cloud gaming via the browser. This means that gaming on almost any device is only a click away with Edge, Chrome, and Safari support.
- We are in the process of upgrading our global Microsoft data centers with the latest Xbox Series X hardware. This upgrade will lead to quicker loading times, enhanced frame rates, and optimised gaming experiences for Xbox Series X|S.
- We plan to incorporate cloud gaming into the Xbox app on PC and our console experience later this year to enable trials before downloads.
Promising Line-up of Games
- With over 23 worldwide studios developing games for Xbox, we aim to launch at least one new, first-party game on Game Pass every quarter. Our first-party teams are working on a variety of genres, including RPGs, shooters, strategical games, adventure games, ensuring a steady flow of exclusive content.
- Our independent developer program, ID@Xbox, has generated over $2B for developers since its launch, with more than 2000 titles released and many more coming. The model is now being adopted for ID@Azure, which encourages independent developers to create cloud-based experiences. These programs facilitate the entry of new, diverse voices into game development.
As Phil Spencer highlighted at the start of the event, the team recognizes the challenges in accomplishing their mission. However, he strongly believes that Microsoft’s global reach, technological advancements, financial capabilities, and a long-standing history in video gaming are what it takes to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone.
