Take-Two Interactive CEO Slams Game Subscriptions: Is the Xbox Game Pass a 'Lost Opportunity' for Publishers?

CEO Strauss Zelnick of video game company Take-Two Interactive has this to say about video game subscriptions like Xbox's game pass.

Take-Two Interactive currently owns two major publishing labels, Rockstar Games and 2K, and is known for popular game franchises like BioShock, Borderlands, Grand Theft Auto, NBA 2K, Red Dead, and more.

Zelnick has been known to be vocal on his views regarding game subscription services since his comment in 2021 on whether some of their gaming titles will be launched on the Game Pass, according to a past article from Gamespot.

However, the CEO went on to express his opinion that the move made no sense, and it looks like his perspective has not changed since.

Take-Two Interactive CEO Says Game Subscriptions Make No Sense for Publishers

In a recent Take-Two Interactive earnings call, Zelnick mentioned that his company had been "very cooperative" with game subscription services like Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass, but only when it "makes sense" for the company, according to Gamespot.

Zelnick compared his take on the video game subscription to a streaming service such as Netflix. He stated that "consumption patterns" were different for linear entertainment, such as TV series and films, compared to interactive entertainment, like video games.

As of now, Take-Two games such as Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, Red Dead Redemption, Microsoft NBA 2K23, and more are available to play with an Xbox Game Pass.

Despite allowing some game titles on the subscription service, which he labeled a "catalog service", Zelnick doubled down on his disapproval of the idea for the benefit of publishers, stating that launching frontline games during the first day would prove to be a "lost opportunity."

"I don't think that ever made sense. I still don't think it makes sense. And I believe that it's now becoming obvious that it doesn't make sense. It's just a lost opportunity for the publisher." Zelnick said.

Are Game Subscription Services a 'Lost Opportunity' for Publishers?

While Take-Two CEO Zelnick has his own take on the idea, Gaming Instinct reports that for developers in the independent scene, the opportunity has proved to be beneficial.

Developer Mike Rose attributes the increased popularity of titles like Hypnospace Outlaw and Nowhere Prophet to the Xbox Game Pass and even reports sales success after the move, despite noting that the games come off as "kind of niche and weird."

Contrary to Zelnick's opinion on game subscriptions being just a "catalog business," the selection of games also features first-party Xbox releases on launch day and even AAA titles from other developers, such as The Witcher 3 and Fractured Minds.

Additionally, Sony has taken a page out of Microsoft's book by launching its own game subscription service called the PlayStation Spartacus service in March, according to Venture Beat.

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Written by: Andi C.