Clair Obscur’s Success Sparks Debate as Palworld Dev Defends Game Pass Impact on Sales

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the latest RPG title, has been a massive success since its release. The game has garnered incredible review scores and has already sold over one million copies in less than a week. However, despite its commercial success, there has been some controversy surrounding the game’s sales split. Notably, the majority of physical sales in the UK were for PS5, which has led to discussions about the impact of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass on overall sales.

Xbox Game Pass Boosts Sales and Exposure, Defended by Palworld Community Manager Bucky

As Xbox Game Pass continues to grow in popularity, its effect on game sales is becoming a topic of debate in the gaming community. Some have expressed concerns that the subscription service could potentially hurt traditional game sales, but the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 seems to suggest otherwise. While Xbox Game Pass might influence sales trends, it appears that the service can also offer increased exposure and help smaller games reach wider audiences, especially in an era dominated by digital distribution.

In the midst of the ongoing conversation about Xbox Game Pass, Bucky, the community manager for the indie game Palworld, took to social media to defend the service. Bucky has been vocal in supporting Xbox Game Pass, stating that it is “very worth having your game on Game Pass” despite some of the criticism surrounding the model. His comments reflect his positive experience with the service, particularly the exposure Palworld gained after being added to the platform.

Bucky Defends Game Pass, Citing Palworld’s Success and Growing Developer Opportunities

Bucky’s defense of Game Pass carries weight due to his experience with Palworld, which achieved great success after being featured on the service. The Pokémon-like indie game saw significant popularity thanks to the exposure it received on Xbox Game Pass, leading to strong sales and a growing fan base. Bucky’s perspective on the subscription model is rooted in real-world success, and he feels confident in asserting that Game Pass can be a valuable tool for developers looking to expand their reach and player base.

The debate over the future of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass continues, with analysts like Mat Piscatella suggesting that such models may not be as revolutionary as initially anticipated. While some believe subscription services will become the dominant way to access games, others argue that traditional sales models will continue to thrive. Regardless, platforms like Xbox Game Pass are still proving to be a powerful tool for both major and indie developers, with 2025 already showcasing impressive releases on the service.