Big news: Microsoft is expanding its Xbox Game Pass beyond consoles and directly through smart TVs and mobile phones, eventually allowing consumers to access Xbox games on any screen, anywhere, anytime.
Big question: What is Xbox Game Pass?
Quick answer: Xbox Game Pass is a video game subscription service that allows consumers to access a video game library without purchasing them. Think Spotify for video games.
Xbox Game Pass subscribers according to Microsoft/Forbes:
1) Mar-20 – 10M
2) Sep-20 – 15M
3) Dec-20 – 18M
4) Apr-21 – 23M
Big picture: Video game subscription services are not new, but adoption has grown.
Global cloud gaming revenue according to Newzoo:
1) 2020P – $633M
2) 2021P – $1.4B
3) 2023P – $5.1B
Why this matters: The major technology companies have been building out gaming stacks. Subscription and cloud offerings will be a major battlefield.
