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Xbox pauses third-party Game Pass deals

gamingJun 29, 202641491

New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has paused negotiations for third-party Game Pass agreements, with multiple developers reportedly told deals that were in advanced discussions are on hold. Sources say the freeze affects day-one and subscription-placement deals and follows a company-wide rethink of Game Pass as Microsoft chases profitability after heavy studio spending. Caboodle Games CEO Fernando Rizo and other developer contacts said talks were halted mid-deal during the restructuring. Separately, an alleged ad for this year’s Modern Warfare 4 uses "not on Xbox Game Pass" as a selling point, marking Call of Duty’s first skip of Game Pass at launch since 2023. Microsoft’s pause leaves studios and pending contracts in limbo while the new leadership decides whether and how to restart third-party signings.

3 sources