Microsoft Claims Sony Paying Devs To Keep Their Games Off Game Pass

I guess the console wars aren’t over then? Sigh. Recently, former Xbox executive Peter Moore claimed that Microsoft had “encouraged the console wars,” which is perhaps something better left unsaid, Peter. Regardless, we thought we’d entered an age of peaceful coexistence but oh no. The war between Xbox and PlayStation has seemingly been reignited as Microsoft has claimed that Sony is paying off devs to sabotage Xbox Game Pass.

Speaking of Game Pass, subscribers were treated to an excellent day one release this week. Check out the trailer for Two Point Campus below.

The accusation came to light during the Brazilian government's investigation into Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. If you didn’t know, such deals have to be approved by regulatory bodies across the world. In the Brazilian government’s report, Microsoft claimed that Sony is “blocking rights,” preventing games from appearing on Xbox Game Pass.

As reported by Eurogamer, the comment was made in a 27-page response to Sony’s recent objection to the deal. Microsoft claimed that “the use of exclusive arrangements has been at the heart of Sony's strategy to strengthen its presence in the gaming industry,” going on to add that they’ve sabotaged Game Pass by “blocking rights to prevent developers from adding content to Game Pass and other competing subscription services.”

Microsoft ended the argument by standing with Xbox Game Pass, claiming that it offers unbeatable “high quality content at low cost to players.” It’s an interesting claim from Microsoft. Sure, PlayStation have their exclusives but so too do Xbox. Let’s all just remember that as fans, we can enjoy both, leaving the big corporations to scrap between themselves.