Ori Creator Slams Xbox Game Pass Amid Studio Rumors

Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler, director of the Ori series, says Xbox Game Pass fails because its catalogue lacks enough high-quality, new titles, making the subscription price hard to justify.

Ori director says Game Pass ‘could’ve worked’ if Xbox didn’t ‘slop out mediocre content like a factory’

Microsoft reported 34 million Game Pass subscribers in February 2024, but growth slowed after a 2023 price increase that cost “millions of subscribers.” A 2024 price cut later raised membership modestly. Xbox chief Asha Sharma disclosed over $20 billion spent on content, platform and hardware subsidies in five years, while annual revenue fell by nearly $0.5 billion. Metacritic’s annual publisher rankings placed Microsoft fifth in 2025, while Bethesda fell to eighth in 2024; the company missed the top ten in 2023 and 2022 but topped the list in 2021 thanks to Forza Horizon 5, Psychonauts 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

“Ori” Director On Xbox’s Game Pass Problem

Thomas Mahler leads Moon Studios. Xbox’s subscription division is overseen by Asha Sharma. Studios cited for possible closure or spin-off include Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory and Arkane; Bethesda remains active.

"The Catalogue Was Just Nowhere Near Good Enough" - Ori Creator Likens Xbox Game Pass To A "Slop Factory"

Microsoft confirmed the 2023 price hike caused a “millions of subscribers” loss and that the 2024 price reduction has begun to recover numbers. Asha Sharma highlighted the $20 billion investment and warned that a $0.5 billion revenue decline cannot continue. Bloomberg reported that Microsoft is reviewing the closure or spin-off of Double Fine, Compulsion Games and Ninja Theory, with Arkane’s future described as uncertain.

“Ori” Director On Xbox’s Game Pass Problem

Mahler argues Game Pass functions like a “factory” producing mediocre games, eroding value. He stresses his critique is not anti-Xbox, asserting that competition would improve the market.

"The Catalogue Was Just Nowhere Near Good Enough" - Ori Creator Likens Xbox Game Pass To A "Slop Factory"

Microsoft has not confirmed Bloomberg’s studio-closure rumors, leaving the status of Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory and Arkane unclear. Exact subscriber loss after the 2023 price hike also remains undisclosed.

“Ori” Director On Xbox’s Game Pass Problem

“The Gamepass strategy could’ve worked if people would’ve shown up for it,” — Thomas Mahler, Moon Studios CEO

Ori director says Game Pass ‘could’ve worked’ if Xbox didn’t ‘slop out mediocre content like a factory’

“Problem is: They didn't and the software catalogue was just nowhere near good enough to make people happily pay the subscription every month.” — Thomas Mahler, Moon Studios CEO

"The Catalogue Was Just Nowhere Near Good Enough" - Ori Creator Likens Xbox Game Pass To A "Slop Factory"

“And that’s the crux of the issue: You’d need the Xbox folks to deeply, fundamentally understand gamers and what they want. They’d need to understand what’s a good game and what’s a mediocre game. And they’d need to have good deals with devs so developers are actively incentivized to produce massive hits, not just slop out mediocre content like a factory.” — Thomas Mahler, Moon Studios CEO

Ori director says Game Pass ‘could’ve worked’ if Xbox didn’t ‘slop out mediocre content like a factory’

“ Mahler said that Game Pass had become “a little like Communism” because it had not given developers “a strong incentive to roll up their sleeves and go the extra mile”.” — Thomas Mahler, Moon Studios CEO

Ori director says Game Pass ‘could’ve worked’ if Xbox didn’t ‘slop out mediocre content like a factory’

Microsoft is expected to decide on the fate of the flagged studios in the coming months and may adjust Game Pass pricing or content strategy to curb churn. Mahler’s remarks suggest future developer deals will prioritize hit titles.

Ori director says Game Pass ‘could’ve worked’ if Xbox didn’t ‘slop out mediocre content like a factory’