What Were Microsoft's Expectations from Starfield?

The latest sales figures confirm that Xbox Series has finally secured a massive exclusive hit with Bethesda's Starfield. The game has topped the US sales charts for September and has broken into the top ten for the year so far. Although Starfield's commercial success was anticipated, its scale was not guaranteed, as Bethesda games typically perform well but are not always chart-toppers. The game's long-term performance remains to be seen, with some comparisons being drawn to Skyrim, another highly successful Bethesda title. However, replicating Skyrim's success is a significant challenge. Player response to Starfield has been mixed, with some enthusiasts loving the game and others finding it disappointing. Despite this, Bethesda games often evolve after launch, and it is possible that the player buzz around Starfield will become more positive over time. For Microsoft, Starfield's success is a complex issue. While the company is delighted with the game's performance, its goals for the video games market are more focused on Game Pass subscriptions. Microsoft's long-term objective is to transform Xbox into a platform-agnostic gaming service, with Game Pass at its core. Although Starfield's success may not have significantly boosted Game Pass subscriptions, it is still a solid move for Microsoft, which has become a top ten game publisher in the US. The question remains whether Starfield's performance aligns with Microsoft's goals. The company's decision to release the game with a $35 upgrade fee for early access and poor mod support on PC and Xbox may have driven players away from using Game Pass. Instead, Microsoft could have incentivized players to use Game Pass by offering exclusive bonuses or early access to subscribers. This approach would have encouraged players to use Game Pass, rather than driving them away. Ultimately, the success of Starfield may be bittersweet for Microsoft, as it may not have significantly boosted Game Pass subscriptions. This raises questions about the company's policy on major exclusive releases and how it can balance its goals of driving Game Pass subscriptions with the need to generate revenue from game sales.