Starfield: Igniting a Spectacular Era for Xbox Game Pass

Highlights

Starfield's release has the potential to usher in a new golden age for Xbox Game Pass, with more first-party titles and a higher quality of releases.

Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, Starfield has already garnered a substantial subscriber base on Xbox Game Pass, with expectations for further growth upon its official release. Xbox views Starfield as a pivotal force that will pave the way for a string of upcoming exclusive titles, marking the commencement of a multi-year succession of first-party games that will augment the Xbox Game Pass collection.

Xbox Game Pass has been a reliable source of quality video games for the past seven years, consistently adding critically acclaimed titles to its service on a monthly basis. However, long-time subscribers may only recall one standout release or memorable period. While there have been busy periods with frequent game releases, they are typically limited to a month or two, followed by months of disappointment. However, the release of Bethesda's highly-anticipated Sci-Fi RPG, Starfield, in early access has the potential to change this pattern. Despite mixed critical reception, many fans are enjoying the game, and it is expected to achieve Xbox's goal of enticing players to either purchase a copy or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass. This could mark the beginning of a new era for Xbox Game Pass, with more frequent releases of prestigious first-party titles.

Starfield Could Usher in a Golden Age for Xbox Game Pass

The critical reception for Starfield has been a mixed bag of scores and opinions. Some outlets lavish praise on the game, hailing it as one of the greatest Western RPGs and Bethesda's best since Oblivion. However, other reviewers criticize Starfield for its quality-of-life issues and slow start. Despite this, the vast majority of those who purchased early access appear to thoroughly enjoy Starfield, propelling it to the top of Xbox Game Pass' offerings.

While official numbers are not yet available, it is highly likely that Starfield has already significantly increased the number of Xbox Game Pass subscribers, and this number is expected to rise further upon its official launch. It is also probable that Starfield played a role in retaining many long-time subscribers during this month. Starfield has the potential to demonstrate the impact of a major first-party exclusive on Xbox Game Pass' subscriber numbers, marking the beginning of a new era for the service.

Xbox's Chief Marketing Officer, Jerret West, recently shared in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz that he sees Starfield as a "gateway" to future Xbox exclusives. He believes that Bethesda's new RPG will be the catalyst for a series of first-party titles, likening it to the starting signal for a multi-year relay race. West further explained that in the next year, notable releases on Xbox include Forza Motorsport, Hellblade, Towerborne, and Avowed.

In the gaming industry, there has been ongoing discussion about Xbox strategically aligning its pieces, preparing for a pivotal moment that will captivate the industry and propel Xbox to new heights. Starfield could potentially serve as that initial game changer. Furthermore, with the likelihood that all these first-party games will be available on Xbox Game Pass from their release dates, subscribers may soon experience a golden age for the subscription service.

Starfield is now available for PC and Xbox Series X/S.