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Xbox Game Pass Hits Jackpot with 'Palworld'
"Palworld" has become the biggest third-party hit on Xbox Game Pass, attracting over 7 million players across Xbox consoles and PC. The game has also garnered controversy for its similarities to Nintendo's Pokémon franchise.
Microsoft's aggressive investment in cloud gaming puts pressure on Sony's PlayStation Plus subscription.
In a major win for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox Game Pass, the subscription service has struck gold with the release of "Palworld," a game that has taken the gaming world by storm with its unique blend of Pokémon and firepower.
"Palworld," an online open-world game that was made available during its development phase, has already amassed over 7 million players across Xbox consoles and PC, making it the most successful third-party launch in Game Pass history. Not only that, but it also claimed the title of the most-played third-party game on its debut day, according to Microsoft.
This success story is a testament to Microsoft's strategy of expanding its subscription service with games from both its own studios and external developers. Developed by the previously unknown Pocketpair team based in Tokyo, "Palworld" has garnered attention for its similarities to Nintendo's Pokémon franchise, albeit with its own unique gameplay elements. In less than two weeks, the game has attracted a staggering 19 million players across all platforms.
Industry analyst Serkan Toto believes that securing "Palworld" is a major coup for Microsoft, as it will not only attract new Game Pass subscribers but also retain existing ones. Toto describes the game as Microsoft's "killer game" that will undoubtedly boost the popularity of the subscription service.
Meanwhile, Sony Group Corp., Microsoft's console-making rival, faces mounting pressure due to Microsoft's aggressive investment in cloud gaming. Although Sony's PS5 was the best-selling console in terms of units and revenue in the US last year, matching Microsoft's prowess in the cloud gaming space may prove to be a challenging and costly task.
Nintendo, on the other hand, is lagging behind its competitors in terms of online services and game subscriptions. As developers like Pocketpair consider distribution partners for their games, the choice often boils down to Microsoft and Sony.
"Palworld" has become the biggest third-party hit on Xbox Game Pass, attracting over 7 million players across Xbox consoles and PC.
The game has also garnered controversy for its similarities to Nintendo's Pokémon franchise.
Microsoft's aggressive investment in cloud gaming puts pressure on Sony's PlayStation Plus subscription.
Source: BLOOMBERG