Microsoft earnings now talk Xbox Game Pass numbers — what's changed?

By Matt Brown
last updated

FY20 Q3 earnings saw Microsoft finally talking Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live numbers, reporting "all-time record engagement."

Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass (Image credit: Matt Brown | Windows Central)

Xbox Game Pass Booth

Source: Matt Brown | Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Matt Brown | Windows Central)

Microsoft recently reported its FY20 Q3 financials, including an insight into its gaming efforts, and how the Xbox portfolio has navigated the new challenges of a global pandemic. Quarterly gaming revenue predominantly stayed flat, with a one percent year-over-year decline, and Xbox content and services increasing two percent. It suggests consistently steady returns across Xbox One, Windows 10, and other Xbox services regardless of the global climate — laying the groundwork the upcoming generation.

CEO Satya Nadella provided additional context around those figures, reporting 10 million Xbox Game Pass subscribers, and 90 million active Xbox Live users. It's the first instance of Microsoft disclosing hard data concerning Xbox Game Pass, while also the first Xbox Live update in almost a year, demonstrating growing confidence around the Xbox service portfolio. So, what's changed?

The spotlight falls on Xbox Game Pass

Xbox One X Logo Button

Source: Microsoft (Image credit: Source: Microsoft)

Microsoft has always alluded to newfound success with Xbox Game Pass, pushing the Netflix-style subscription service as the centerpiece of its service-driven Xbox offerings. While debuted on Xbox One with over 100 titles for its flat monthly fee, we've since witnessed its extension to PC, coupled with the steady expansion of included content.

Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold both showed promise in the prior quarter, with subscriptions helping mitigate an otherwise an overall 11 percent decline in content and services revenue. Xbox Game Pass user counts doubled, alongside "a new record" for active Xbox Live users — increasing once again with these latest financials. But Microsoft stopped short of the numbers we'd been hoping to receive.

Latest Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Now numbers highlight a sizeable disparity in users.

Countering the impact of COVID-19, Microsoft describes "all-time record engagement" across the Xbox platform. It positions Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live as valuable sources of entertainment in an era of stay-at-home guidelines and social distancing. And it's not unreasonable to assume that amid societal shifts, that's reflected in a sizeable uptick for Xbox Game Pass numbers.

Given the current landscape, it's understandable why Microsoft is so keen to flaunt its Xbox Game Pass subscriber base. Sony's closest comparable service, PlayStation Now, saw one million subscribers back in October, suggesting an immense void between the duo.

Xbox Game Pass Menu

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Microsoft has made continued strides to demonstrate the value of Xbox Game Pass, both for consumers and developers onboarding with the service. It's an easy sell from a purchasing perspective, stocking benefits geared toward Xbox newcomers through to the most passionate users.

Over 300 games between Xbox One and PC offers an impressive initial draw, recently onboard some heavy hitters like Red Dead Redemption 2. Also inclusive of upcoming first-party Xbox Game Studios releases, it provides an affordable entry point for flagship Xbox properties like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza. Microsoft has even attempted to emulate the success of Twitch Prime with "Xbox Game Pass Perks," granting in-game add-ons and cosmetics for members.

Promotions have also made Xbox Game Pass more lucrative, with its signature $1 deal getting users started with minimal investment. Other Xbox Game Pass promotions attempt to hook existing Xbox Live users, converting a portion of their prepaid memberships into the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier, spanning Xbox One, Windows 10, and the Xbox Live Gold service.

And while Xbox Game Pass' impact on developers is less clear-cut, we've seen unparalleled success from some.

Regardless of discussions behind the scenes, Xbox Game Pass finally appears to have found its place in Microsoft's modern Xbox offerings. With a new console generation on the horizon with Xbox Series X, and Project xCloud slated to mobilize the Xbox platform across smartphones, the value of its services has never been more evident.

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Matt Brown
Matt Brown

Matt Brown was formerly a Windows Central's Senior Editor, Xbox & PC, at Future. Following over seven years of professional consumer technology and gaming coverage, he’s focused on the world of Microsoft's gaming efforts. You can follow him on Twitter @mattjbrown.

3 Comments
  • Yesterday's numbers were a surprise to me, for sure. I'd have estimated 1 to 3 million. It's a hell of a great way to sample games. I don't spend vast amounts on games, but tend to go for more niche titles, usually in sales. Ruiner is an example of a game I wanted to try, due to the beautiful art work. Played it on Game Pass, not keen. The Gardens between is a beautiful little, simple, puzzler. Gave me loads of play time. The GF is currently doing around 4 to 6 hours per day on 2 Point Hospital. My son, he has been smashing GTA. He'll likely move onto Red Dead next week, when they swap it in. Skyforce was in there, though I'd already bought it. Probably the best vertical shooter on the platform. Defence Grid 2, that was on. Again, a game I'd already bought, but those that hadn't would get many hours from it. For Devs, it's a great way to introduce players to your game. Particularly if you have a sequel coming. Hopefully the success of the service will help keep hardware prices low.
  • Well Phil has promised recently to be more transparent. Console sales mean little in today's market. Ecosystem is king. Especially going forward. I think I'm just as surprised that over 20 million Xbox Live users are on PC. That's really impressive. MS really getting the faith back of PC gamers.
  • It's not rocket science they have something to brag about so they are going to do it, welcome to business.