Why is their so much thirst on gaf for Gamepass to fail
I don't think there is overall thirst, though there is surely some of that from people who hate MS and just want them to fail.
I'll repeat my perspective.
It's a bad model for software and does damage to the perceived value of software over time (I'm a software engineer by trade). It's a similar issue devs have with Apple's App Store, and how that created a race to the bottom, where it gets to the point where people see "99 cents" for an app and think "Eff that!" Software has typically been decently priced, because it is incredibly hard to do well, and costs money to support. That's why software back in the day was typically 50 bucks and up (WAY more for actual pro software), and then you could get upgrade pricing for future versions etc. It's a tried and true model that works, and was completely obliterated by Apple on the mobile side, and it has trickled over to the desktop realm. And it's absolutely hurt developers, and made Apple the "GateKeeper" for business software and their models across the globe (Google is included on this too, but they seem to follow more than lead) on phones.
It could potentially be the same thing with Game Pass. If Microsoft became the "Gate Keeper" for what gets onto their subscription model if people stop seeing value in buying games, then the industry is in trouble IMO. Games need to be able to be sustained, in and of themselves. Not existing as some part of a subscription mashup. Game Pass is currently an insane value for gamers, but I just don't see how that is sustainable outside of a MASSIVE subscriber base. Those "23 studios" MS bought have recurring costs, and they are
expensive. So if that massive subscriber base happens ... well look out industry, you might not get to make what you want unless one of these trillion dollar companies gives you the ok. It won't be financially viable otherwise.
I don't think that's going to happen though. I think people like me will still be willing to buy games at full price if they want to experience it. I just paid 60 bucks for Metroid Dread, finished it in 10 hours, and it was 60 bucks INCREDIBLY well spent IMO. I would honestly,
honestly, rather buy ten games a year at full price than pay ten dollars a month for a sub service where I just got to play whatever was included. I expect to be paid for my work, and I
like paying others for theirs.
So no, I don't want Microsoft to fail at all. I want them to get back to their OG Xbox and 360 glory days when they felt like the coolest stuff in town. Game Pass is neither here nor there when it comes to that point.
I can't speak for others though.