Xbox Game Pass is going to see a price increase for the first time since its inception. Commonly referred to as "the best deal in gaming," Game Pass started in 2017 as a way to offer subscribers a huge, continually updated library of games big and small to try out for a monthly fee. Over the years the service has become a core component of Microsoft's gaming strategy, as it's seen millions of subscribers trying out a variety of games they otherwise wouldn't have fully purchased.
Xbox Game Pass has been seeing massive success over the past six years, but as prices for games and consoles have increased, fans have been losing confidence that Game Pass' prices would remain steadfast for much longer. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer indicated in October of last year that an increase to the price of Game Pass was an inevitability. On top of this, Game Pass' popular $1 trial that had been running for many years as a gateway for new subscribers had been terminated in March. Despite all this, subscribers have continued to see a wealth of new day and date titles such as Bethesda's Hi-Fi Rush.
As reported by The Verge's Tom Warren, the price of the base Xbox Game Pass subscription will be bumped up a dollar from $9.99 to $10.99. Game Pass Ultimate users will see a larger bump up to $16.99 from the original $14.99 offering. Fortunately for PC gamers, the price point of PC Game Pass won't be affected by these changes.
These increases will take hold for new subscribers on July 6, with current subscribers not being affected until August 13. It's also important to note that the Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family plan that gives up to five individuals access to Game Pass Ultimate for one subscription fee will remain unchanged in the face of these price hikes. This first ever Game Pass price increase could be attributed in part to Xbox finally having a steady cadence of AAA first-party Xbox Game Studios titles releasing, as major games like Starfield and Forza Motorsport are expected to hit the service this year.
While this news may be upsetting for many Game Pass subscribers, a $1 increase to the base plan doesn't seem too egregious when considering the sheer amount of quality and quantity that's about to land on the service in the coming months and years. Titles like Bethesda's massive 1,000-planet space RPG Starfield, the Bloodborne-inspired Soulslike Lies of P, the return of Forza Motorsport, and much more are sure to more than justify Game Pass' first ever price increase this year and beyond.
Source: The Verge