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Sometimes, when an offer seems unbeatable, it’s because it might not be as enduring as we hope. This was precisely the sentiment surrounding Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass when the Xbox Series X/S hit the market. Paying just ten dollars a month gave gamers access to an impressive library, including day-one releases of Microsoft-published games.
Over time, prices have crept up, coinciding with worldwide economic challenges that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2023, prices for Game Pass on console increased to $11, while the Ultimate version offering PC game access rose to $16.99. Despite these hikes paralleling Microsoft’s massive $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, they were actually below the rate of inflation, and many still considered them reasonable.
Then 2024 arrived, bringing with it some unwelcome changes. In July, Microsoft announced a significant increase in the Game Pass Ultimate price, jumping from $17 to $20—a hefty 18% hike, which now exceeded inflation. Even more disheartening, Microsoft axed the more affordable $11 console-only tier. This was replaced by a Game Pass Standard option, priced at $15, which no longer included day-one releases. Essentially, customers faced nearly a 50% cost increase for a limited version.
The implications were clear: for those relying on Game Pass to enjoy day-one Microsoft games alongside its vast library, the cost had effectively soared from $11 to $20 per month. Now, with the Activision Blizzard acquisition finalized, it felt like this price surge was directly influenced by the massive deal.
In 2024, Game Pass transitioned from an unbelievable bargain to something that left a sour taste in many users’ mouths. At a hefty $240 annually without any discounted annual plan, it’s hard to overlook the frustration. – John Walker
