Microsoft's subscription service Xbox Game Pass offers a tremendous value with more than 100 games in the catalog and first-party titles, including Halo Infinite in 2021, launching into the program at no extra cost.

Microsoft uniquely benefits in these types of situations by having a game launch day-and-date on Xbox Game Pass.

Also in the interview, Spencer said he's been heartened to see more and different types of games come to light thanks to Game Pass?

"When the team, if they're just out there pitching the publishers on a retail game, if it doesn't fit into some Excel spreadsheet that tells you what the retail outcome will be, then it doesn't get green-lit," Spencer said

Xbox Game Pass is not without its critics, as some people say subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and Apple Arcade further devalue games and condition people to think games should be free or cheap

Around 70 percent of the Xbox Series X|S consoles sold at launch were attached to a new or existing subscription, which bodes well for the service going forward

Xbox Game Pass as a platform does not make any money, at least not yet, and this may be due in part to the $1 sign-up promos that remain available today

Just recently, EA Play--the subscription service formerly known as EA Access--was rolled into Xbox Game Pass, bringing titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and more into the fold