Michael Pachter, strategic advisor at Wedbush Securities, has expressed a bleak outlook for Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox, expected in 2027:
“I believe this console is ‘dead.’ Microsoft’s heavy push of Xbox Game Pass undermines the value of the console itself.”
Key criticisms of Game Pass (XGP):
- Subscription is all-or-nothing
- $30/month (≈ ¥206 RMB) is too high
- Annual subscription cost (~$360) far exceeds the price of a single $70 game
Pachter suggests a $10/month model with full access would be more consumer-friendly and likely more successful.
Pachter is known for his outspoken views:
- 2018: Supported loot box acceptance by consumers
- 2022: Criticized Sony’s $3.6B Bungie acquisition as overpriced
- 2022: Predicted Activision Blizzard’s integration could push XGP users to 100M, with potential growth to 200M over 10 years
