Starfield could be the beginning of a golden age for the Xbox Game Pass

Notwithstanding the mixed critiques, Starfield has already garnered a significant number of subscribers for the Xbox Game Pass, and this figure is expected to continue rising substantially once the game is officially released.

The Xbox Game Pass has never truly experienced a golden age, a phase of several months characterized by outstanding releases. However, the highly anticipated sci-fi role-playing game Starfield by Bethesda is finally available in early access, and despite some fluctuating critical reception, many fans are enamored with the game. From all accounts, Starfield is poised to achieve what Xbox has hoped for: enticing people to purchase a copy or sign up for the Xbox Game Pass. Yet, this may only be the beginning of a new golden age for the Xbox Game Pass, where top-tier first-party titles become more frequent occurrences.

Starfield Could Usher in a Golden Age for Xbox Game Pass

The critical reception to Starfield is a bewildering and colorful mix of reviews and opinions. On one hand, some media outlets praise Starfield in the highest regard, claiming it to be one of the greatest Western role-playing games of all time and the best Bethesda game since Oblivion. On the other hand, some reviewers condemn Starfield for its numerous quality shortcomings and its slow start, among other things. Regardless of the critics, the overwhelming majority of those who have paid for early access seem to genuinely enjoy Starfield, propelling it immediately to the top of the offerings in the Xbox Game Pass.

Although official numbers are not yet available, everything indicates that Starfield has already led to a noticeable increase in the number of subscribers to the Xbox Game Pass, and this figure will continue to rise in the coming week as Starfield officially launches. Furthermore, although the exact numbers are not known, it appears highly likely that Starfield has also been the reason why many long-term subscribers have remained loyal to the Xbox Game Pass this month. Starfield could demonstrate the impact that a major first-party exclusive game can have on the subscriber count of the Xbox Game Pass, and it seems that this is just the beginning of a brand-new golden age for the service.

About a week ago, Jerret West, the Chief Marketing Officer of Xbox, gave an interview to GamesIndustry.biz in which he referred to Starfield as a "door opener" for upcoming Xbox exclusive titles. He described Bethesda's new RPG as a "starting gun" that signals the beginning of a "multi-year relay of first-party titles." West further explained his thinking and outlined the upcoming year for Xbox. He stated that Starfield has now opened the door for first-party games like Forza Motorsport later this year and that Hellblade, Towerborne, and Avowed are planned for the following year.

For years, many personalities in the gaming industry have been discussing the concept of Xbox lining up the dominoes and preparing for the moment that will take the industry by storm and elevate Xbox to new heights. It could finally be time for Xbox to seize this golden opportunity, with Starfield potentially being the first major domino. And with the assumption that all these first-party games will be available on day one in the Xbox Game Pass, subscribers could experience a golden era for the subscription service.

Starfield is now available for PC and Xbox Series X/S.