Game Pass Makes Waves for Co-Op Fans
Microsoft's Game Pass has been fighting at the forefront of game delivery for years, often with doubters jeering at every turn. According to recent reports, former aspects of doubt can be put to rest. As a delivery system for co-op games, the implications of the success of the Game Pass, both for Xbox and beyond, are going to be substantial.
How Much Money?
Information for Game Pass profits is thanks to data from Brazilian regulators who released the data to help build a case for Microsoft's Activision-Blizzard merger. According to Tweaktown, the Game Pass in 2021 earned $2.9 billion from the Xbox platform alone. Include the unknown PC earnings into that equation, and the quantity is even greater. Putting to bed any doubts about the service’s longevity, this growth puts Game Pass on a similar route to the success of another standout in the online casino industry.
A Proven Formula
Online platforms in video game platforms have experienced a tumultuous life, but thanks to online casino success, the industry knows it can be done. Digital casinos with their huge libraries of titles and bonuses take a similar route and are expected to be worth more than $100 billion by 2020. If you play William Hill Gold slot game, the reasons for this success are easy to understand. This game is easy to access on any computer or mobile, and the convenience of playing here over a physical casino is undeniable. It’s this level of convenience that the Game Pass and similar systems aim to emulate.
Implications for the Industry and Co-op Games
While much maligned at first, often due more to their untested nature than anything else, systems like the Game Pass hold significant potential for low-cost and co-op gaming. With only a small monthly fee, players can claim access to dozens or even hundreds of titles a year for around the cost of purchasing two or three titles outright. While access isn't permanent, for many players, this gives a great and flexible entry point.
We’ve talked about how great the Xbox Game Pass can be for co-op games on Co-Optimus before, and as the systems grow more successful and expansive, this continues to be true. Since these systems tie so heavily into online ecosystems, the companies behind them lean into the strengths of online connectivity. Coop play, as it so happens, is one of these strengths.
Games like the Trine series, It Takes Two, Unravel, and even the big names like Gears are fantastically successful at drawing in players from all parts of the gamer audience. From those without much time to play to newcomers, and hardcore fans who don’t have the money to risk on entire new launches all the time, Game Pass and similar systems are a safe and welcoming bet.
With similar industries like online casino games already forging a path, and the likes of the Game Pass now an undeniable success, better player and developer investment is just a matter of time. While we hope physical games will always have a place for preservation's sake, the new world is big enough for everyone. Whether you're a co-op player or like to game alone, the gaming horizon is looking brighter than ever. That is if you've been able to even find a new console yet.
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