When something seems too good to be true, it usually doesn’t stick around for long, and that was precisely the vibe around Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass. It made the launch of the Xbox Series X/S feel like an unbeatable bargain, offering an impressive library of games, including Microsoft’s own day-one releases, all for just ten bucks a month.
Over the years, prices started inching up, but it wasn’t surprising given the global financial strains that followed the COVID pandemic. By 2023, the Game Pass for console bumped up to $11, and the Ultimate version—granting access to PC games too—rose by two dollars to $16.99. Even with Microsoft’s eye-catching acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion on the horizon, this price hike was still slightly below the inflation rate.
Then 2024 arrived. In July, news broke that the Game Pass Ultimate would shoot up from $17 to $20, which is an 18 percent leap, way above inflation. Making matters worse, Microsoft ditched the $11 console-only tier, which was the budget-friendly option. Instead, they introduced Game Pass Standard, which no longer included day-one releases and came with a $15 tag. That’s nearly a 50 percent increase for a significantly pared-down offering.
So, for those utilizing Game Pass to enjoy the entire library and day-one Microsoft exclusives, the cost skyrocketed from $11 to $20 a month. Interestingly, with that massive $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal sealed, it seemed this price jump was likely influenced by it.
By 2024, what was once an incredible value in gaming had become a bit of a sore spot for many, hitting the hefty mark of $240 a year with no option for a cheaper annual rate. It’s a real disappointment. – John Walker
