Microsoft Xbox pauses new third‑party Game Pass studio deals

Microsoft’s Xbox division has reportedly halted the signing of new third‑party agreements for its Game Pass subscription service. Industry insider Fernando Rizo, former chief sales officer at Raw Fury and now a partner at Kaboodle Games, told a podcast that developers with deals in advanced negotiations were instructed that their contracts were put on hold. Rizo said the pause appears to reflect the new leadership’s desire to align strategy before resuming payments, and does not indicate the end of Game Pass.

Dutch gaming coverage also notes that Xbox is pausing new third‑party Game Pass deals, confirming the same development across multiple outlets.