Raphael Colantonio’s Decade-Long Critique of Microsoft’s Game Pass Amidst Layoffs and New Releases
Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios and its president until 2019, who had previously directed games like Dishonored and Prey before his departure from the studio in 2017, recently leveled strong criticisms against Microsoft’s Game Pass. On July 5, 2025, Colantonio publicly asserted that Game Pass is an unsustainable model that has negatively impacted the gaming industry for a decade. His remarks came amidst recent mass layoffs by Microsoft, which affected various game studios, and at a time when Game Pass was adding new titles like Grounded 2, The Outer Worlds 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and the next Call of Duty.
Colantonio believes Game Pass operates like a “giant black hole,” endlessly consuming Microsoft’s money. He contended that this offer, while popular with gamers for its affordability, raises concerns about its long-term viability and impact on the broader industry. He compared it to services like Spotify, which benefit large corporations but challenge smaller entities, and warned it could lead to a similar outcome for gaming as seen in the music and movie industries. He also specifically criticized what he termed Microsoft’s “nonsense” in assuring developers that Game Pass does not cannibalize game sales, stating, “I’m tired of all the bullshit we were told at the beginning, like ‘Don’t worry, it won’t affect sales,’ only to admit years later that it does.”
Currently working on a new first-person RPG at his new venture, Wolfeye Studios, Colantonio expanded on his concerns via X (formerly Twitter). He questioned, “Why isn’t anyone talking about the elephant in the room? I believe Game Pass is an unsustainable model that has been harming the industry for a decade, subsidized by Microsoft’s infinite money, but at some point, reality needs to set in.” He further contended, “I don’t think Game Pass can coexist with other models; it either kills them all or quits.” Colantonio suggests that to mitigate its impact, Game Pass should primarily focus on offering older games. He warned that this approach, which he described as “a long game involving flooding the entire industry ecosystem with a tsunami,” might initially appeal to players due to the offer’s generosity, but even they “will eventually hate it when they see the effects on games.”
Colantonio also addressed the argument that Game Pass increases game accessibility without the need to pay full price for each title. He countered that if Microsoft successfully locks players and developers into its subscription service, the current attractive offer will diminish. “When a business is too good to be true, there’s a reason that may later reveal itself and harm everyone, including you. Currently, you have access to a good amount of quality games for a fraction of the real cost,” he wrote, predicting, “What could happen when MS wins: Games will start becoming bad, and your subscription will increase. Why? Because the incredible current deal you have is subsidized by MS investing money in it hoping to eliminate competition, but once they succeed, things will get serious.”
Colantonio’s remarks have sparked considerable debate within the industry. While some developers echo his worries, others advocate for Game Pass, highlighting its benefits for smaller studios. For example, Jason Kingsley, CEO of British studio Rebellion, recently praised Game Pass for the successful launch of their action-survival game Atomfall on the service. Kingsley told Gi.biz, “MS has been a fantastic partner; they genuinely dedicated themselves to helping us… They brought their skills and scale to our small project, which was very beneficial for them, so they got a good deal, and we did too.” Ultimately, Colantonio believes Game Pass is the primary factor currently undermining the gaming industry’s economy and contributing to studio closures. The ongoing discussion reflects a clear division within the industry regarding the long-term sustainability and impact of subscription models on game development and consumer experience.
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