Microsoft recently announced that future Xbox One exclusives from Microsoft Studios would release on the same day for its Xbox Game Pass subscription service as other retail outlets. This means that titles like Crackdown 3, State of Decay 2 and the next Halo, Gears of War and Forza would be available to Game Pass subscribers on the same day of launch as opposed to months later.
However, with Microsoft stating beforehand that certain games could be removed from the library overtime, what’s the stance on these Microsoft Studios titles? Thankfully, Xbox Live director of programming Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb has clarified on Twitter that “Xbox One Exclusives will be a permanent part of game pass moving forward.” If it enters the library, then it remains there forever essentially (or until Microsoft shuts down Xbox Live. Whichever comes first).
For $9.99 per month, this is a pretty good deal for Xbox One players who want to enjoy an exclusive here and there without putting down $60. It doesn’t seem like this approach will affect Microsoft’s bottom line as Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter has indicated. However, you have to wonder if this will help hardware sales. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.