Microsoft hikes Xbox Game Pass prices up to a staggering 50%

I have often considered that Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass is the best game, if you are looking to get a large amount of variety and access for a small monthly price. Maybe I will have to recalculate after the last price increase. This morning, Microsoft announced that prices are increasing in the United States by a lot, going from $ 19.99 to USD $ 29.99 for the ultimate unlimited package.

This still includes hundreds of local and streaming games (with titles published by the various Microsoft studios, of course) on Xbox and PC, and sometimes jump between them. Microsoft also tries to convince players that the price increase is accompanied by additional incentives, including a new selection of “classic” from the Ubisoft + Digital Games. There is also a new partnership with Epic which includes the subscription of Fortnite Crew from November. This adds a bunch of skins and digital currency for the popular Battle Royale game.

Microsoft says that these additions are worth $ 16 and $ 12 per month, respectively … But of course, with regard to fully digital assets, “value” is set by the companies in question. That you agree with them, it’s up to you … and I don’t do it. Even as someone who plays Fortnite Regularly and obtained the battle pass during most seasons, I have never seen the interest of the crew, and I am not particularly tempted by the old Ubisoft creakers either.

The PC Game Pass goes from $ 11.99 to $ 16.49. This includes the full range of PC games in the library, access to PC streaming and other platforms, and these day outings … but notably omits Ubisoft classics. It is a fairly significant price increase without added value, save the precious extras that you get new game additions to the ad. These include new, notable arrivals such as Hogwarts Legacy, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Diablo IV, And Cities: remastered Skylines.

Other levels of Game Pass get changes, but less drastic. Standard game is now called Game Pass Premium, and it is still $ 14.99. This is probably the least affected by the modifications, because it only obtains a wider selection of games with the addition of PC access in addition to console games, as well as streaming for the two libraries. But he does not have access to the full library of 400+ games, and will not be high, high level outings like the recent Hollow Knight: Silksong. You will have to wait about a year, according to the Xbox Wire announcement.

“Game Pass Essential” is the new name of Game Pass Core, essentially the lower level necessary to access the online multiplayer for Xbox consoles. It now includes a wider selection of free game access and playing on consoles, PCs or streaming. Prices in the territories outside the United States increase almost the same amount.

The rise in prices hurts, and I am not the only one to think so, to judge by the Scuttlebutt in the catroom of the PCWORLD staff. (Hi, I instantly canceled my ultimate subscription – Brad the publisher.) I have plunged into Game Pass several times just to try a new version, like $ 15 or $ 20 to go through a new game that seems interesting (as, let’s say, Rush hi-fi) is much more acceptable than $ 50-70. But pump up to $ 30 means that I can wait for a sale. This certainly does not help that, in its burst of acquisitions and layoffs, Microsoft has made a large part of its own studios and developers … As, let’s say, manufacturers of Rush hi-fi.

There are other problems for Penny-Pinchors. You can no longer exchange Microsoft Rewards – which obtains a profile boost thanks to the next Windows 10 cut – directly for an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Now, you will have to buy Xbox gift cards and collect them for a Game Pass subscription-but said gift cards are available by $ 25 increments, while Game Pass Ultimate now costs $ 30 per month. Ick.

Asus

And he surely did not escape the opinion of passionate observers that this price increase arrives a few weeks before the arrival of the Asus Rog Xbox Ally, the Microsoft game to extend the Xbox brand in portable devices and shine Windows for portable game PCs at the same time. Prices starting at $ 600 and extending to $ 1000 for the Xbox ally and the Xbox Ally X, respectively, fans of the Xbox platform could see a lot of sticker shock at the moment.