When something seems too good to be true, it often is, and that’s exactly how many felt about Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass. The service, especially at the launch of the Xbox Series X/S, seemed almost magical. A library packed with games, including Microsoft-published hits on their release day, all for just ten bucks a month—what’s not to love?
But as the years rolled by, so did price hikes, coinciding with international economic struggles post-COVID. By 2023, the Game Pass for consoles had increased to $11, and the Ultimate version—which included access to PC games—rose by two dollars, hitting $16.99. Despite the increases, this still seemed reasonable, especially considering the chatter about Microsoft’s monumental $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. At the time, the price hikes hovered just below inflation rates.
Then, 2024 rolled in, turning things on their head. Come July, Microsoft announced an 18 percent spike, pushing Game Pass Ultimate from $17 to $20. Even worse, they scrapped the more budget-friendly $11 console-only tier. In its place came Game Pass Standard—priced at $15 and void of day-one game releases, effectively making it almost a 50 percent price increase for an inferior offer.
The real impact of these changes hit those who used Game Pass to access Microsoft games from day one. Their cost jumped from $11 to $20 a month. With the massive Activision Blizzard deal now finalized, its influence on these changes felt undeniable.
By 2024, what was once hailed as an incredible bargain had morphed into something to begrudge. At $240 a year with no annual discounts, it’s a tough pill to swallow. – John Walker
