Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios, recently expressed his concerns about Microsoft’s increasing focus on Xbox Game Pass and its potential long-term effects on the gaming industry. His comments highlight a tension between the popular subscription service and traditional game business models.
Xbox Game Pass has become a central part of Microsoft’s gaming strategy, particularly following their recent Xbox Games Showcase. Colantonio, who left Arkane Studios in 2017 before Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media in 2021, expressed skepticism about the sustainability of Game Pass. He believes the service, while attractive to gamers now, might cause harm down the line.
In a post on X, Colantonio said, “I think Gamepass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidized by MS’s ‘infinite money’, but at some point reality has to hit. I don’t think GP can co-exist with other models, they’ll either kill everyone else, or give up.” He elaborated that Game Pass represents a “long game that involves throwing a tsunami at the entire ecosystem of the industry.”
I think Gamepass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidized by MS’s “infinite money”, but at some point reality has to hit. I don’t think GP can co-exist with other models, they’ll either kill everyone else, or give up.
— Raphael Colantonio (@rafcolantonio) July 5, 2025
He also mentioned that gamers currently enjoy the service because it offers a lot for a low price. Still, eventually, they might grow frustrated when the impact on game quality and variety becomes clear. Colantonio acknowledged that some individuals have benefited from Game Pass but urged people to consider the overall consequences.
Colantonio was at the helm of Arkane during the development of well-loved titles like Dishonored and Prey, both of which are now available on Game Pass. Since then, he has been working on new projects at WolfEye Studios, exploring interesting sim games with a focus on depth rather than size.
The comparison between Game Pass and streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ has been made before. Initially, streaming platforms were a good deal for consumers, but as prices rise and ad-supported content increases, the industry has faced challenges, including fewer traditional career opportunities. Could the games industry be headed down a similar path? It’s a question worth asking.
