Dishonored Creator Accuses Game Pass of Quietly Damaging the Games Industry

Raphael Colantonio, former Arkane Studios head and creator of Dishonored, has spoken out against Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription model, calling it "unsustainable" and even harmful to the video game industry.

The French game designer voiced his concerns amid another wave of layoffs at Microsoft that led to the cancellation of several titles. Colantonio pointed to Xbox’s subscription service as "the elephant in the room," warning that it may be doing long-term damage:

Larian Studios’ publishing head Michael Douse joined the conversation, supporting Colantonio’s viewpoint. He noted that many in the industry are asking the same question: "What happens when all that money runs out?" — a major reason why many developers have avoided adopting the Game Pass model.

Both developers agreed that subscription platforms like Game Pass can heavily impact game sales, leaving studios reliant on Microsoft’s funding rather than actual market performance. While the model may benefit small indie teams, it can be destructive for mid-sized or larger studios.

This debate follows major restructuring at Microsoft’s gaming division on July 2, which saw widespread layoffs, studio closures, and the reported cancellation of projects such as Perfect Dark and Everwild.