One Microsoft executive has commented on the hefty price hike recently revealed for Xbox Game Pass following ongoing player frustration and backlash. While the subscription service has proven to be incredibly popular with fans and very lucrative for Microsoft, the cost of Xbox Game Pass has now become unsustainable for many players, with thousands choosing to cancel their plan following the recent price increase.
This week, Microsoft announced that it would be increasing the price of Xbox Game Pass' Ultimate tier from $19.99 per month to $29.99 a month. Additionally, the service's Standard tier is being replaced by the new Premium tier, which will cost $14.99 a month and include more games and multiplayer access. To perhaps soothe the sting of this unexpected price hike, the service introduced nearly 50 new games for subscribers to enjoy, including 14 Assassin's Creed titles, Hogwarts Legacy, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Tom Clancy's The Division. These additions may be welcome for some subscribers, but countless others are deciding to take their business elsewhere, frustrated by the lack of warning.
Xbox Game Pass Price Hike Hits Some Regions Harder Than Others
Microsoft's controversial decision to raise the price of certain Xbox Game Pass tiers impacts gamers in some regions far more than in others.
Microsoft Gaming Director Knows That ‘Price Increases Are Never Fun for Anybody’
During a chat with The Verge, Dustin Blackwell, the director of gaming and platform communications at Microsoft, commented on the price increase and made an attempt to empathize with the service's user base. According to Blackwell, the team understands that "price increases are never fun for anybody," but in this instance, they are trying to add "more value to these plans as well." It's unclear what this will entail going forward, but the director promises that the sudden decision is something that isn't being "taken lightly," and that player feedback is welcome. Hours after the controversial price changes were announced, the Xbox Game Pass website crashed due to the number of subscribers logging on to cancel their plans. It's unclear how many have successfully done so, or what Microsoft's gaming division will do to bring players back.
Xbox Game Pass has added some major day one releases in 2025, including Avowed, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Grounded 2, and Hollow Knight: Silksong. More major titles promise to round out the year, with Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2 coming to the service in October. While Xbox Game Pass price hikes have persisted since its debut in 2017 and subscriber counts have continued to soar, it remains to be seen whether players believe that it's still worth the cost after this recent jump.
Frustrated players aren't the only ones commenting on Microsoft's decision. Following this week's announcement, GameStop threw shade at Xbox Game Pass on Twitter, reminding gamers that buying discounted second-hand titles and owning them forever is an option, rather than continuing to pay for a pricey service month after month.