Xbox is shaking things up yet again by increasing the price of its Xbox Game Pass subscription by a whopping 50 percent. This service, which grants access to a vast library of games for a monthly fee, has been a favorite among gamers looking for a cost-effective way to enjoy a variety of titles without breaking the bank. Now, Microsoft has announced that the Ultimate tier will see a price jump from $20 to $30 per month. Along with the hefty price increase, the Ultimate tier will also offer new games and perks, such as access to the Ubisoft+ catalog and a Fortnite crew membership that includes battle pass access and in-game currency every month.
The other tiers of the Xbox Game Pass subscription are also seeing price hikes, with added benefits like cloud gaming access and an expanded game library. The PC Game Pass package will now cost $16.50, up from $12, but without any additional perks. Xbox is pitching these changes as a move towards flexibility and choice, but many gamers are not thrilled about the increased costs. People are taking to the internet to express their thoughts and concerns, with some poking fun at the situation, like user Daniel Ahmad who tweeted, “When I said I wanted the 360 era back, I didn’t mean $360 a year.” Others, like Ryan McCaffrey, are highlighting the rapid increase in prices, noting that the cost has jumped from $17 to $30 in just 14 months.
Despite the backlash, Xbox seems intent on moving forward with these changes, which come on the heels of other recent price hikes within the Xbox brand. The company recently raised the prices of Xbox Series X/S consoles and announced a hefty $1000 price tag for the most powerful version of the Rog Ally X handheld device. Scalpers are already trying to take advantage of the situation by selling the handheld for double the price, even though it is readily available through other channels.
As gamers come to terms with these new costs, many are left wondering if they will have to adjust their gaming habits to accommodate the higher prices. With the affordability of Game Pass being one of its key selling points, the price hike has left some feeling priced out of the gaming experience. The future of gaming may be looking more expensive than ever, with prices seemingly on a never-ending upward trajectory. Whether or not these changes will ultimately benefit gamers remains to be seen, but for now, the internet is abuzz with reactions to the news.
So, buckle up gamers, it looks like the cost of gaming is on the rise, and it’s anyone’s guess how this will impact the gaming community in the long run.
