Would you accept ads for cheaper games? (pic: Microsoft)



Microsoft has been talking about new business models as an alternative to Game Pass, including ‘timed slices’ of certain games.



Game Pass may be the best deal in gaming , but it’s not been quite the industry disruptor Xbox probably hoped for. It’s successful but not to the point where Microsoft isn’t also thinking of other new business models, including games with adverts.



Not only that, but they’re also considering selling ‘timed slices’ of games. Which seems to be a euphemism for paid-for demos.



These are not concepts that are guaranteed to be used but according to Xbox, ‘We’ve talked about how we’re experimenting with other models, like what does it mean for advertising in games which is more prevalent in mobile – are there models of that that work well in PC and console? Are there other models where you might have timed slices of games and stuff like that?’



Sarah Bond, who has the absurdly long job title of corporate vice president for game creator experience and ecosystem at Xbox, didn’t go into any detail on either concept, so it’s not entirely certain what she means by timed slices, but it’s not the first time that Xbox has discussed in-game ads.



In April last year, Xbox was talking about ads in free-to-play games and in December they seemed to be trying to gauge interest in a cheaper tier of Game Pass that came with ads.



Bond was discussing the options with Rolling Stone , where she added: ‘Providing creators with options and choice enables them to experiment and do what they like, and actually create more immersive and creative experiences without having to fit into a mould.’



What that has to do with having adverts interrupting your game only she knows but clearly Microsoft is interested in using ads to reduce the price of games and/or subscriptions.



The interview was actually posted in April, before the CMA came down against the Activision Blizzard acquisition, but has only been widely shared now.



Whether these plans were drawn up with the specific intention of taking advantage of all the new Activision Blizzard games, including Call Of Duty, they’d have access to is not clear, but it’s possible their plans could already have changed.



Xbox Game Pass is still evolving (pic: Microsoft)



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