Microsoft responds to indie retailer Xbox Game Pass concerns

Microsoft has finally responded to the backlash in certain quarters to the announcement that from now on all first-party exclusives will go straight into the subscription service, Xbox Game Pass.

Some indie retailers were unhappy with the announcement and considered it a move to undermine the importance of High Street retail, with one store even going so far as to delist Xbox consoles, saying that: "If you want to do business alone, you should do the work alone."

However, the company believes that independent retailers continue to "play a unique and valuable part in the ecosystem," adding that they welcome feedback regarding their future plans.

"The response to the news thus far has been positive," a spokesperson from Microsoft told GamesIndustry. "As we noted in our announcement, our plan is to offer ways for select retailers to assort and promote Game Pass.

"In fact, we've been pleasantly surprised with the breadth of demand from retailers so far, and we're considering if and how we broaden our distribution plans. We welcome feedback on our plans, and will continue to evolve our plans as appropriate."

The next first-party exclusive heading to Xbox Game Pass (and the first one to land there on day one) is Sea of Thieves, which is setting sail on PC and Xbox One on March 20.