Microsoft’s $80B Gamble on Game Pass Faces Reality and Restructuring

Microsoft reportedly spent about $80 billion over the last decade on Xbox Game Pass-related acquisitions and third‑party deals, but subscriber growth has stalled (about 30 million vs. a 2026 target of 77 million). Price hikes and optional discounts haven’t delivered the hoped-for scale, and the company is reshaping its gaming arm with major layoffs (3,200) and studio divestitures as it pivots toward higher‑return bets. Some studios are becoming independent or being sold, while Game Pass remains uncertain about its long‑term business model.