Sigh, I can’t say I’m surprised. Microsoft defends Xbox Game Pass price hike after backlash, and I'm certain it's just digging a hole for itself at this point. Fans are frustrated with the Ultimate tier reaching $29.99 / £22.99 / AU$35.99 per month, and it looks like Microsoft isn’t planning to back down anytime soon.
Xbox Game Pass has long been a gaming discovery engine, but these new prices have stirred significant backlash. Despite efforts to justify the changes, Microsoft may be risking more harm than good.
Dustin Blackwell, Microsoft’s director of gaming and platform communications, admitted that price increases are “never fun for anybody.” He insists that added value in Game Pass plans justifies the higher cost.
Yet, fans don’t seem convinced. The mass cancellations following the price hike suggest that many gamers feel the increases aren’t worth it. Blackwell’s stance shows that Microsoft is prepared to hold firm, even if it means losing subscribers—a scenario that is already unfolding.
With the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costing nearly $360 a year, alongside rising console prices for Xbox Series X, Series S, and the new ROG Xbox Ally X, Microsoft is stacking more costs onto its players.
Many gamers are reconsidering their options, and PC gaming is looking increasingly appealing. PC Game Pass remains the cheaper alternative at $16.49 / £13.49 / AU$19.45 per month, and it still offers access to new games on day one.
Console gamers may now see the advantages of switching to PC. The ecosystem offers a variety of affordable options without sacrificing day-one access to new titles. For many, this makes PC gaming more cost-effective than paying for the increasingly expensive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Microsoft defends Xbox Game Pass price hike after backlash, but it seems clear that the company is digging a hole for itself. Gamers are weighing cost versus value, and the current Ultimate tier may push more players toward PC gaming or competitors like PlayStation Plus.
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