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 allows access to a vast library of games on PC and Xbox consoles, will now cost $22.99 per month, up from $14.99. The move has sparked widespread criticism, with fans accusing Microsoft of price gouging.
"I'm absolutely livid," said Georgia Levy-Collins, a gamer who had been using the service for over a year. "I was expecting some kind of warning or notification before they just slapped on an extra $8 per month."
The price hike has led to a surge in cancellations, with many fans reporting that the service's cancellation page had crashed due to demand. BBC Newsbeat reported that Microsoft had not commented on whether the outage was linked to a surge in visits.
Microsoft's decision to introduce three tiers of Game Pass - Essential ($10 per month), Premium ($14.99 per month), and Ultimate ($22.99 per month) - has also been met with criticism. The basic package is required for online multiplayer, 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. However, many fans feel that this premium service is not worth the additional cost.
"I'm not paying extra for a few exclusive titles," said Peter Gillibrand, a gamer who had been using the service since its launch. "I'll just stick to buying individual games instead."
The price hike has sparked concerns among gamers about the future of Xbox Game Pass and whether it will remain a viable option for those on a budget.
Microsoft's decision to increase prices comes as the company faces increasing competition from other gaming services, including Google Stadia and Apple Arcade. The move is seen by some as an attempt to boost revenue and justify the cost of maintaining its vast library of games.
As the situation continues to unfold, gamers are left wondering what the future holds for Xbox Game Pass. Will Microsoft reconsider its pricing strategy or will it stick to its guns? Only time will tell.
Background: Xbox Game Pass was launched in 2017 as a Netflix-style subscription service that allows players to access a vast library of games on PC and Xbox consoles. The service has gained popularity over the years, with millions of subscribers worldwide.
Context: Microsoft's decision to increase prices comes at a time when the gaming industry is experiencing rapid growth. The global gaming market is expected to reach $190 billion by 2025, up from $156 billion in 2020.
Additional perspectives:
"Microsoft needs to listen to its customers and reconsider its pricing strategy," said Levy-Collins.
"The price hike is a clear attempt to boost revenue and justify the cost of maintaining its vast library of games," said Gillibrand.
Current status: The price hike has sparked widespread criticism among gamers, with many taking to social media to express their discontent. Microsoft has not commented on whether it will reconsider its pricing strategy or stick to its guns.
Next developments: As the situation continues to unfold, gamers are left wondering what the future holds for Xbox Game Pass. Will Microsoft reconsider its pricing strategy or will it stick to its guns? Only time will tell.
*Reporting by Bbc.*
