Xbox Game Pass is still one of the best deals in the game, but things are getting worse. This week, Microsoft completely upended its pricing structure Game Subscription Service, making everything more expensive and confusing. We’ve seen enough apps and streaming services go this route to know it’s a bad sign. Once you start raising prices and limiting common features, you’re already on the path to enshittiification.
Microsoft sent just a few emails to Game Pass customers before triggering a wave of confusion surrounding its new price increase. Even with the FAQ, Microsoft has struggled to clarify who gets what under the new payment plan. At the top of the list, Microsoft will completely cancel Game Pass for Console for any new members who wish to sign up after July 10th.
U.S. customers purchasing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will see a monthly increase of $3 to $20. If you choose Game Pass Core, it’ll cost you $15 more per year. PC Game Pass prices range from $10 to $12 per month. There is a new plan called Xbox Game Pass Standard for $15 per month. But that won’t happen until some time in the future. This tier is effectively replacing Game Pass for the console.
After September 12th, existing members will see the new prices on their monthly bills.
Are you still confused? We’re not done yet. Microsoft is changing your expectations for what content you will receive based on your subscription level. Game Pass Ultimate is still the only tier that allows cloud gaming, but if you choose the cheaper Game Pass Standard option, you won’t expect any first-party games like the previous Game Pass for Console tier. So, remember how Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Game Pass coming soon? If you’re new to Game Pass, you’ll need to pay for PC Game Pass or Ultimate to launch.
If you still have Game Pass for console or PC Game Pass, you will continue to receive day one games. Game Pass Core is still the most basic tier, primarily for accessing online multiplayer, but Standard seems like a pretty bad deal compared to what you get now. You won’t have access to day-one games on Xbox Series X or Series S unless you sign up for Ultimate.
The new hierarchy is ridiculous. It wants new and existing customers to be able to parse a series of bullet points to understand exactly what they’re paying for. You can’t simply pay for a game pass; you have to pay correct version Game Pass. Netflix might be Delegate its hierarchy Canceling the basic subscription while forcing users to opt for ad-supported Netflix or a standard subscription, but at least you have access to the same content regardless. But that’s no longer the case with Game Pass.
What does this mean for the future of Game Pass?
Just to remind those in the back row, “enshittification” is Technology Blogger Cory Doctorow Describe how applications and services Screw the user Benefiting companies and investors, and then inevitably mistreating those investors in return. In the past few years, this term has become widely used. You can see it with some of the most Popular social media apps. If you have ever struggled Digital concert tickets or Restaurant reservationsyou have experienced the results of enshittiization.
Actualization is not inevitable, although it is consistent. Microsoft has been pushing Game Pass for a few years now, to the point where it seems like its hardware has taken a backseat. At the last major game showcase, Microsoft’s major hardware launch in the first half of 2024 was More expensive Xbox Series X with 1 TB of storage.
According to The Verge Tom Warren Citing anonymous sources, Microsoft is scaling back Xbox sales in Europe. We know the Redmond, Wash., tech giant has been pushing Game Pass hard and even hinted at it Will try to get it on competing consoles. Last week, Amazon and Microsoft announced that you can now play cloud games with a few Fire TV sticks, which means you don’t necessarily need a smart TV or computer to access the Xbox app and play various streaming games. News from Xbox head Phil Spencer hits the central theme, Tweet “No console? Don’t be afraid.
But all this expansion doesn’t seem to be enough to recoup some of the $69 billion Activision Blizzard spent on the acquisition. company Nearly 2,000 employees laid off From a newly purchased studio earlier this year. Call of Duty was once promised to be available on Game Pass, but now that will be limited, depending on how much you’re willing to pay Microsoft each month.
Still, Game Pass is very, very good. Its cloud service is very smooth, and its title selection is one of the best among gaming subscription services. Despite the $20 price tag, it now has to be paired with GeForce Now Ultimate by Nvidia, with higher graphics quality and better bitrates. Game Pass is currently better than Sony’s PlayStation Plus subscription service. The price of PlayStation Plus also increased last year; Executives blame ‘market conditions’ To move. Game Pass Ultimate is $2 more per month than PlayStation Plus Premium.
Streaming services continue to become more expensive. It seems inevitable that Microsoft and Sony will eventually ask players to pay more for their games. But what if it’s worse than that? Game Pass needs to attract more subscribers to become a viable alternative to the hardware-only business and make up for the losses from the Activision Blizzard deal. If Microsoft can’t reap these rewards, poor service seems inevitable. Just like with streaming, the only outcome is a race to the bottom.
