GameStop’s announcement about a demo day to play other games on the Xbox console using “Microsoft Game Pass” has stirred controversy in the Xbox gaming industry, amid reports of exclusive games like Starfield. This has caused a reaction among console warriors and dedicated fans. While the tweet and its promotional image may seem trivial, it underscores the speed of the response from some Xbox fans.
For those unaware of the ongoing online debates, reports and rumors in early February suggested that Xbox may bring some of its biggest products to PlayStation, including Starfield, Halo, and Gears of War. Initially, some Xbox fans vehemently denied these reports, but as more confirmed the information and Xbox boss Phil Spencer responded, the tone shifted dramatically. This uproar has been dubbed the “What’s happening on Xbox?” online. It’s within this context that GameStop’s innocuous advertising image resonated with a significant portion of the community. Although the image seemed harmless, the use of the term “Microsoft Game Pass” in relation to Game Pass raised eyebrows, considering the ongoing discussions about the future of Xbox. The mention of “Microsoft Game Pass” intensified the belief among many that Microsoft may be considering discontinuing the Xbox version or expanding it to other platforms, such as the Switch or PlayStation. There were also suggestions that Microsoft could be overhauling the subscription service. Some dismissed this as a bizarre error, while others interpreted it as evidence of something negative, fueling more intense discussion online. Journalist Jez Corden clarified that the advertisement was unrelated to Xbox plans. Kotaku reached out to GameStop for additional information. While this could have been the end of the story, GameStop deleted the tweet, leading some to view it as an admission of error and others as proof of an impending demise of the Xbox brand. However, it is likely that GameStop made an innocent mistake, or someone realized the potential for the use of “Microsoft Game Pass” to trigger unnecessary speculation and discussion. It’s clear that this incident has spiraled beyond proportion, prompting a response from the gaming community and drawing unnecessary attention. Overall, the Xbox loyalists and console fans are eager to know more about the situation.
