Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription service is not growing as fast as expected, despite reaching over 25 million members, according to a recent financial report.
As per Axios, the number of subscribers at the end of June 2021 had increased by 37% from the 18 million Microsoft had gathered by the end of June 2020. However, Microsoft had aimed for a nearly 48% year-on-year growth. The filing submitted to the securities and exchanges commission (SEC) in the United States highlights a shortfall in reaching this target.
There are mitigating circumstances, such as the ongoing struggle to maintain stock of Xbox Series X and (to a lesser extent) Series S models since their launch in late 2020. Additionally, flagship first-party exclusives like Halo Infinite, which was available to Game Pass subscribers on Day 1, experienced significant delays.
The growth decline, as compared to the 2019-2020 period where subscriptions increased by 85% against a 71% target, is a shift in the opposite direction. It is very likely that, in the six months following the publication of this data, Microsoft has been able to boost Game Pass subscriptions in line with its expectations.
However, with the recent announcement of Microsoft’s plan to acquire Activision Blizzard, there are $70 billion worth of reasons why this growth deficit may not be permanent. Microsoft is set to gain ownership of renowned video game franchises like Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Warcraft, and Overwatch, among others.
It remains uncertain if these games will become Xbox exclusives, but it is highly probable that future installments will be available on Game Pass. Microsoft has expressed its intention to bring “as many Activision Blizzard games as we can” to the service once the acquisition is finalized.
Which Activision games are you looking forward to playing on Game Pass? Let us know @trustedreviews on Twitter.
