Xbox Game Pass Price Hike Sparks Outrage Among Players
Microsoft's decision to increase the price of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service by more than 50% has left gamers fuming, with many taking to social media to express their discontent. The most popular tier of the service, which offers access to a vast library of games on PC and Xbox consoles, will now cost $22.99 per month, up from $14.99.
The price hike has sparked an immediate backlash, with fans reporting that they have cancelled their subscriptions in protest. According to social media posts, some users are experiencing issues accessing the cancellation page due to high demand. Microsoft has yet to comment on whether the outage is related to a surge in visits.
In a blog post announcing the changes, Microsoft outlined three new tiers for Xbox Game Pass: Essential ($10 per month), Premium ($14.99 per month), and Ultimate ($22.99 per month). The basic package is required for online multiplayer play, while the more expensive versions offer access to a wider range of games and perks.
The Ultimate tier, which costs $22.99 per month, allows players to access new games from Microsoft-owned studios on the day of their release. This tier has been particularly popular among fans of the Call of Duty series, one of the biggest titles available via Xbox Game Pass.
"We're not happy about the price hike," said Georgia Levy-Collins, a gamer who has been using Xbox Game Pass since its launch. "We feel like we're being nickel-and-dimed by Microsoft. We understand that they need to make money, but this feels like a cash grab."
Peter Gillibrand, a gaming expert at BBC Newsbeat, noted that the price increase is likely to affect a significant number of players. "Xbox Game Pass has been a game-changer for gamers on a budget," he said. "The service offers an incredible value proposition, but this price hike may make it less accessible to some fans."
Microsoft's decision to raise prices comes at a time when the gaming industry is facing increasing competition from other streaming services. The company will need to carefully manage its pricing strategy if it wants to maintain its market share.
As of now, Microsoft has not announced any plans to reverse the price hike or offer discounts to loyal customers. However, fans are urging the company to reconsider its decision and provide more affordable options for gamers on a budget.
The Xbox Game Pass price increase is set to take effect immediately, leaving players with a difficult decision: pay up or cancel their subscriptions. Only time will tell how this move will affect the gaming industry as a whole.
*Reporting by Bbc.*
