Xbox wants to reach as many gamers as they can with their Game Pass service. Competing console makers, however, are still not as open to a potential partnership.
Phil Spencer who is the head of Microsoft's Xbox division addresses the Microsoft's Xbox media briefing before the opening day of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3 in Los Angeles, California on June 15, 2015.
This is why Xbox boss Phil Spencer has recently opened up discussions with these console makers on the possibility of bringing Xbox Game Pass into their systems, writes WCCFTech. Spencer hasn't shied away from making it known that he wants Game Pass to permeate almost every major gaming platform in the market, even those that have absolutely no connection to the brand as a whole.
In an interview with GamesRadar, Spencer said that the reason for wanting to bring Xbox Game Pass to other consoles is to "break down barriers," as well as focus on improving ease of access to games. In other words, Xbox wants to target the potential of gaming in terms of fostering social interactions. This has been made very apparent in recent times, most specifically due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The focus of Xbox for now, however, will be so-called "open platforms" like mobile, PC, and even browsers. What this means is that you can't really expect Xbox Game Pass to be available on a PlayStation or Nintendo console--at least not yet.
Read also: Xbox Boss Wants to Bring XCloud and Game Pass to Competing Consoles
Xbox Expansion: Are There Very Likely Candidates?
In terms of determining which competing console makers could allow Xbox Game Pass into their ecosystem, there aren't a lot to choose from.
First off, the possibility of Game Pass being on a PlayStation console seems the furthest from becoming a reality. The answer is pretty obvious: Microsoft and Sony are more or less bitter industry rivals. As for the specific reasons, that's a topic for another time.
Nintendo, rather, is among the most probable. Earlier this year, rumors that Game Pass will be brought to the Nintendo Switch floated about. An insider close to Nintendo shot those rumors down with gusto.
In an article by Inverse, industry analyst Piers Harding-Rolls may have seen this coming. Microsoft seemed to be the one who was very enthusiastic about the merger, and Nintendo basically turned a cold shoulder. The likeliest reason was because Nintendo's overall appeal centered on a very specific experience that's far different from what Xbox does.
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 25: A visitor walks past an poster of the Microsoft subscription service "Xbox Game Pass" during the 'Paris Games Week' on October 25, 2018 in Paris, France. 'Paris Games Week' is an international trade fair for video games and runs from October 26 to 31, 2018.
To agree to a partnership would've meant that Nintendo would lose its identity; one it has carefully crafted over decades.
Right now, Xbox Game Pass should focus on something a lot closer to home: Windows PCs. If they really, really want to get Game Pass to a competing platform ASAP, maybe they could strike a deal with Valve to get their service on the Steam Deck. Being a PC-based handheld, the Deck offers Xbox the perfect opportunity to further widen their market reach.
The Steam Deck can even potentially run Windows 11, which you should know already has Xbox Game Pass built in. If that's not the best opportunity out there, nothing else is.
Related: Xbox Wants To Get to 3 Billion Players With or Without Consoles, Says Publishing Head
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Written by RJ Pierce
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