Microsoft’s recent decision to increase the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has stirred intense reactions among gamers. The subscription’s cost in the U.S. soared by 50%, jumping from $19.99 to $29.99 per month, translating to an additional $120 annually. This increase has prompted a mix of anger, cancellations, and subscription stacking from fans eager to mitigate the price hike.
A recent poll conducted among 10,000 IGN readers revealed that 45% of participants expressed no interest in subscribing to Game Pass, with nearly 30% indicating they would still consider subscribing to the Ultimate version, despite the significant price increase.
To justify this hefty price rise, Microsoft announced enhancements to the Game Pass Ultimate by increasing the number of day-one game releases to 75 annually and incorporating new perks like Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics. Starting November 18, subscribers will also enjoy the benefits of Fortnite Crew, which includes access to the Fortnite Battle Pass and a monthly allocation of 1,000 V-Bucks. The upgrade extends to stream quality on Xbox Cloud Gaming, which officially exited beta status, ensuring improved performance for gamers.
The updated pricing structure for Xbox Game Pass, effective October 1 for new subscribers and November 4 for existing ones, is as follows:
– Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: $29.99 per month (up from $19.99)
– Xbox Game Pass Premium: $14.99 per month (unchanged)
– Xbox Game Pass Essential: $9.99 per month (unchanged)
– PC Game Pass: $16.49 per month (up from $11.99)
Along with the pricing changes, Microsoft added over 45 new titles to Game Pass, including popular games like Hogwarts Legacy, further enriching the subscription service.
Despite these improvements, many current subscribers are reevaluating their memberships. Some users have expressed concerns about the new pricing model, comparing the annual cost of $360 for Ultimate to purchasing just five full-priced games at $70 each. Comments from disappointed gamers reveal a trend towards cancelling subscriptions in light of the increase, with some citing a shift towards purchasing individual games instead.
However, not all responses have been negative. Some users maintain that the value offered by Game Pass remains significant, especially when accounting for the savings on new releases. For one gamer, the $500 worth of games available through Ultimate justified the cost, despite the recent price hike. Additionally, a conversation among readers indicated that certain new perks could still make the subscription worthwhile for some.
GameStop has also responded to the price changes, announcing it will continue to offer Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at the previous rate of $19.99 both online and in-store while the official increase takes effect.
In a bid to take advantage of the old pricing, many existing subscribers have resorted to subscription stacking, purchasing multiple months of Game Pass before the new rates are implemented, as retailers like Amazon still list the older pricing.
While the price rise has undeniably sparked controversy, it has also highlighted the commitment of Microsoft to continuously enhance the value offered through its gaming service, keeping players engaged amid changing dynamics in the gaming market.