- Xbox Game Pass is set to acquire even more strategy games according to Microsoft.
- Some of the major titles set to be released include Ages of Empires IV and the Total War Warhammer III.
- The platform’s main goal is to ensure that gamers have a wide array of games to choose from.
The PC Game Pass service, now called “Xbox Game Pass,” has proven to be a catalyst for Microsoft’s success, and the company is reportedly focusing on acquiring more strategy games for the service.
Although Microsoft did stage an impressive demo featuring Halo Infinite, it isn’t the only title in its development pipeline. They also revealed two other major releases: The Total War Warhammer III and Age of Empires IV.
A few facts about PC Game Pass: Strategy titles make up 15% of the line-up, with strategy game Imperator: Rome one of the genre’s leading names on the service.
According to Matt Percy, Microsoft’s general manager for portfolio planning and analysis, there are over 40 strategy games available on the platform.
“Strategy games have become some of the most popular titles in our portfolio,” said Matt. “They’re consistently in the top ten games every month and they drive as much as 20% of our monthly engagement on
“Our goal for Game Pass has always been to offer gamers more choice,” according to Matt. “And give creators more choice as well. We think we’re having a really positive effect on the [strategy] genre on PC because you’re making it more accessible to people.”PC.”
Subscription rates
According to Percy, games played by Game Pass members outside of the service have been found to increase by 20% after an initial subscription, as well as genres explored by these players increasing by 30%.
“It’s wild to me that somebody comes in maybe for a Halo and then discovers what they really loved is Darkest Dungeon all along,” says Matt.
For many games, longevity is key. But the longer a game can keep players engaged, either with continued DLC support or an active modding community, the better.
Even Microsoft’s first-party games aren’t guaranteed to be a part of the Game Pass service forever, so it’s important for the platform holder to help its fans migrate away from Game Pass as time goes on.
Percy says Microsoft is transparent about what’s leaving and what’s coming in Game Pass each month.
Available discounts
It also offers discounts on buying Xbox One games from the Microsoft Store, and on buying downloadable content (DLC) packages for those games. The team is also keen to ensure that the Game Pass experience be as consistent as possible with other gaming platforms.
New Games
Total War: Warhammer III will be the next big strategy title to come to PC Game Pass, with Victoria 3 also available on the platform when it launches.
Recently, Slitherine announced that it’s Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is a part of the first wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass. Civ-challenger Humankind released on the service earlier this summer and more titles will follow suit.
When it comes down to it, Percy explains that offering subscribers more choice and flexibility is Game Pass’ biggest selling point.
And through his subscription model he hopes to remove some of the financial obstacles that have traditionally discouraged developers from focusing more on their craft.“Make the game that you want to make,” said Matt.
Which title are you excited to see and get your hands on? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
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