Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler criticizes Xbox Game Pass

Moon Studios chief executive Thomas Mahler said the Xbox Game Pass subscription model fails to motivate developers to create “blockbuster” titles. Comparing the service to communism, he argued that without a steady stream of major hits, the catalogue cannot convince players to pay monthly fees. Mahler pointed out that recent first‑party releases have struggled, citing Bethesda’s “Starfield” as a disappointing replacement for a hypothetical “Skyrim in space.” He added that only one or two games each year stand out, and many gamers prefer buying those titles outright rather than receiving them via the subscription.

Mahler’s comments were posted on social media and have been reported by media outlets in Finland, Poland, Spain and Norway.