Xbox Game Pass is often a point of contention, especially among those who don’t actively use the service. Many believe it cannibalizes sales, and while it may reduce some direct purchases, it remains a profitable business and gives games access to a massive install base.
CD Projekt Red CEO Michał Nowakowski has weighed in on Game Pass, while also sharing his thoughts on Asha Sharma stepping into the role as Xbox’s new CEO, so let’s go over everything that was said.
According to Michał, Game Pass acts as a way to reach new players, especially those who have yet to experience its games. He states: "In the 10 years since the release of The Witcher 3 an entirely new generation of players has emerged - many of whom have never fully experienced Geralt’s story first-hand".
Continuing, Nowakowski says, "Bringing the game to Game Pass allows us to bridge that gap, and let new players discover why The Witcher 3 became such an important title for so many others."
He also explained why the company decided to bring The Witcher 3: Complete Edition to Game Pass now, after the standard edition appeared on the service back in 2019. He said:
“The game has been out there for almost 11 years – 11 years in May this year… and I think we’ve just come to that moment in the lifecycle of the game where this was more attractive from the new players’ perspective.”
He was also asked about the leadership changes at Xbox, where he shared his early impressions of Asha Sharma stepping into the role:
It’s very hard to say. I had a change to say goodbye to Phil and meet Asha Sharma while there, but you know – she’s very fresh in the role, she’s just taking the reins of the division and figuring out what’s what and so on… She’s a super smart person, and Phil has been very welcoming to her.
Michał Nowakowski - Joint CEO at CD Projekt Red
While his comments on Game Pass aren’t particularly surprising, it does highlight how developers view the platform differently. Some credit it for driving major success, while here, CD Projekt Red frames it as a tool to bring more attention to its games long after release, giving them a second life.
As for his thoughts on Sharma, it seems he falls into the camp of actions speaking louder than words, at least based on what was shared here. That’s not a bad thing, and it suggests Sharma is still in the early stages of understanding how best to approach the industry and is willing to learn what she can to do so.
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