Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription service for Xbox and PC, has put some talks with third-party publishers and indie developers on hold for now, according to publishers and developers. For studios waiting on those deals, that creates real uncertainty. The agreements are being described as paused, not canceled, and Microsoft hasn’t commented.
People involved say some of those agreements were close to the finish line before things stalled. Without a response from Microsoft, it’s hard to tell whether this is a bottleneck, a budget freeze, or part of a broader Xbox reset, especially with reports already swirling about layoffs, possible studio closures, Game Pass price changes, shifting Call of Duty plans, and console price hikes in several markets.
For indie teams, these deals can mean a lot more than visibility. They can bring in guaranteed upfront revenue before release, which matters in a crowded market where discoverability is weak and sales are hard to predict. That money can come through flat fees, day-one funding, or payouts tied to engagement. According to reports, Cooking Simulator brought in $600,000, which was a big slice of that studio’s earlier annual revenue.
If you make smaller games, this reported slowdown is something to watch, because Game Pass support can shape your release timing, funding, platform strategy, and headcount, especially in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and other underrepresented markets if this pause turns into the new normal.
Xbox Game Pass is still Microsoft’s subscription service for Xbox and PC, and ID@Xbox says it has paid more than $5 billion in royalties since 2013, worked with more than 5,000 developers across more than 100 countries, and helped launch about 6,000 games by March 2025.
Author: Jesús Bosque
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