Ex-PlayStation boss calls Xbox Game Pass future grim, even with lower price rumored

Shawn Layden has never hesitated to criticize his former company. The ex-Sony Interactive Entertainment chairman has also shared opinions on the PlayStation Plus alternative, Xbox Game Pass. Respawn First spotted a LinkedIn post where he expressed pessimism about the subscription service.

Does Game Pass still have value?

Layden responded to an article from The Verge about leaked comments made by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. She admitted that tiers like Ultimate were “too expensive for players”. Fans saw the latest Xbox Game Pass price increase in October 2025, prompting a wave of cancellations. The executive also explained that Microsoft needs to offer a “better value equation.”

Despite her concessions, the former SIE chief isn’t convinced that it can be saved. On LinkedIn, Layden argued:

They are trying so hard to will this into health, despite unfavorable diagnostics and a grim prognosis. A clarifying post mortem would do the entire industry some good.

Curiously, a few days later, Sharma replied to Layden, saying, “I would love to chat sometime.”

Rumors hint that Microsoft could remove select day-one Game Pass games, including Call of Duty. Revenue from the shooter has suffered, with worries over cannibalized sales. The company may also explore debuting bundles with the streaming giant Netflix. Yet, many of these proposals wouldn’t address Layden’s fundamental criticism.

The pitfalls of subscription gaming

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz in August 2025, he discussed his opposition to subscription models. The one-time PlayStation leader said, “I'm not a big supporter of the 'Netflix of gaming' idea.” Calling it a “danger” to the gaming business, he questions the wisdom of adding AAA Xbox Game Pass games immediately at launch.

While an indie game developer could benefit more from the exposure, Layden noted that a creator ends up a “wage slave.” Alternatively, devs who succeed on Steam earn higher profits, even after Valve’s cut.

Sharma could face a difficult task attracting a wider audience. Even reversing the Xbox Game Price increase may not lure skeptics who prefer the traditional method of buying games. Regardless, the CEO feels the urgency to take action. Microsoft’s last fiscal report suggested that the subscription service's growth had stalled.