When something seems too good to be true, it usually is. This was the buzz surrounding Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass when the Xbox Series X/S hit the shelves. With an extensive library, including brand-new games from Microsoft, available for just $10 a month, it sounded like an unbelievable bargain.
In the years since that launch, prices have crept upward. This coincided with major global financial strains post-pandemic. By 2023, the Game Pass for consoles bumped up to $11, and the Ultimate version, which grants access to games on PC as well, jumped to $16.99. Despite this, it felt like a fair deal, especially considering Microsoft’s staggering $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. These increases were largely just in line with inflation.
Then 2024 rolled around. That summer, news broke that Game Pass Ultimate would leap from $17 to $20—an 18% surge, significantly outpacing inflation. The shock didn’t end there. The $11 console-only plan was axed, replaced with Game Pass Standard. However, this new option offered less—it excluded day-one releases—and was priced at $15, nearly a 50% hike for an inferior package.
Essentially, fans using Game Pass to enjoy the full library and catch the latest Microsoft releases now faced a jump from $11 to $20 monthly. With the mega-deal to acquire Activision Blizzard officially through, Microsoft’s pricing strategy felt directly influenced by this colossal investment.
By 2024, what began as an incredible deal turned into a yearly expense of $240, lacking any annual discounts. It’s a hard pill to swallow. – John Walker
