Xbox Game Pass As We Know It Is Over, Gamers Fear

Following the recent Microsoft shakeup that saw Phil Spencer retire as Microsoft Gaming CEO, with Xbox President Sarah Bond departing at the same time, it seems as though the future is looking pretty uncertain for Xbox users, especially on top of the news that CoreAI executive Asha Sharma would be taking on the role of CEO in Microsoft's gaming sector.

With Sharma bringing AI expertise to the role and not a whole lot of gaming knowledge, Xbox users are understandably worried about what this could mean for the future of the company, especially those who invest monthly funds into the Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox Is Being "Sunsetted", Insists One Former Leader

In recent days, speculation about the state of Xbox has not been helped following comments from original Xbox co-founder and console designer Seamus Blackley. Speaking to GamesBeat, Blackley is not surprised that Microsoft has hired a CoreAI executive as the new Xbox head, and as a result, Xbox will ultimately be "sunsetted" as AI takes over.

As AI technology grows and worms its way into the video game industry at a rapid pace, it is not surprising that this is the road that Microsoft has decided to take with the hiring of Sharma. However, with a large majority of Xbox's user base not supporting the use of AI, more specifically generative AI, it remains to be seen how this will affect its playerbase.

What Would This Mean For Xbox Game Pass?

One of Xbox's main sources of income is its Xbox Game Pass, which allows subscribers to pay a monthly or annual fee in order to access a library of free games, day one releases, and a new batch of games which are added each month. With prices already reaching record-breaking numbers in recent years, the Xbox Game Pass is already in a difficult spot and Sharma's arrival may just cause irreparable damage. As such, users over on r/GamePreservationists recently discussed the possibility that Xbox Game Pass could be sunsetted, and if so, what users will do as a result.

"It'll be Copilot Pass," one user said. "None of the games. All of the monthly subscription cost. None of the value. I really wonder what's going to happen to Microsoft when the AI bubble pops, and they have nothing to hang on to. I mean history has shown us what happens when you put all of your eggs in one basket and the bottom of the basket falls out."

"Guess that depends on the age-old question. Does it actually make money?" Another user asked. "I've heard whispers of MS thinking of doing a free tier with ads and a limited selection, but let's wait and see."

Put simply, none of us yet know what the future of Xbox or the Xbox Game Pass looks like, but there is no denying that the arrival of Sharma is a turning point for the company, and one that may have disastrous consequences.