Ex-PlayStation boss says Microsoft is 'trying so hard to will' Xbox Game Pass 'into health' and suggests 'a clarifying post mortem would do the entire industry some good'

Date:
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:18:48 +0000

Description:
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has suggested Microsoft can't save Xbox Game Pass, following comments made by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma about wanting to "evolve" the service.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Former PlayStation exec Shawn Layden has suggested Xbox can't save Game Pass Layden said Xbox is "trying so hard to will this into health" despite the current issues This comes after a leaked memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed plans to "evolve" the "expensive" service Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has suggested Microsoft can't save Xbox Game Pass , following comments made by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma about wanting to "evolve" the service.

Earlier this week, a leaked memo to employees obtained and reported on by The Verge showed Sharma admitting that the subscription service is now too expensive for members as she outlined a brief plan for how she aims to change things, writing, "Game Pass is central to gaming value on Xbox. Its also
clear that the current model isnt the final one. "Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation. Long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system, which will take time to test and learn around." Article continues below You may like 'Game Pass has become too expensive for players' says leaked memo as Xbox CEO plans to 'evolve' the service Goodbye Xbox? Xbox co-creator suggests Microsoft Gaming will be 'sunsetted' under new CEO as the company pivots to pushing AI 'The job of all these people is to just gently usher all of these business units into the new world of AI' The Premium and PC Xbox Game Pass tiers are rumored to be merging

Now, in a new LinkedIn post, Layden responded to the report saying Microsoft is trying too hard to keep Xbox Game Pass alive, suggesting the company can't save it.

"They are trying so hard to will this into health, despite unfavorable diagnostics and a grim prognosis," Layden said. "A clarifying post mortem would do the entire industry some good."

Layden has been a staunch critic of subscription models for some time,
calling them a "danger" to the industry that turns developers into "wage slaves" (via Games Industry ).

In the same report from The Verge, it was said that Call of Duty and the release of Black Ops 7 was one of the main contributors to Microsoft increasing the price of Game Pass once again in October 2025 . Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Currently, the Ultimate tier costs members $29.99 / 22.99 per month, up from $19.99 / 14.99 per month. There are also reports that the company is considering combining Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass subscription tiers , which could mean some users would pay more each month. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/ex-playstation-boss-says-microsoft-is-trying- so-hard-to-will-xbox-game-pass-into-health-and-suggests-a-clarifying-post-mort em-would-do-the-entire-industry-some-good


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