Ever notice how when something seems too good to be true, it usually is? That was definitely the vibe around Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass when the Xbox Series X/S launched. The deal was irresistible—a treasure trove of games, including day-one releases from Microsoft, all for a monthly fee of just ten bucks. It was a gaming paradise at a bargain rate.
Over the years, however, there have been some changes. As global financial strains intensified post-pandemic, the cost slowly crept up. In 2023, the Game Pass for console increased to $11. The Ultimate version, which also offered access to PC games, rose by two bucks to $16.99. Despite these hikes—alongside Microsoft’s jaw-dropping $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard—the increase seemed reasonable, even slightly below inflation.
But then 2024 hit. In July, news broke that Game Pass Ultimate was leaping from $17 to $20—an eye-popping 18% jump, well beyond inflation. The real kicker? Microsoft axed the $11 console-only tier, replacing it with a new Standard tier priced at $15, which no longer featured day-one game releases. Ouch—nearly a 50% price increase for a downgraded deal.
For those who loved tapping into the full Game Pass library, particularly for brand-new Microsoft games, the cost ballooned from $11 to $20 monthly. And this time around, the colossal Activision Blizzard acquisition really felt like it played a role.
By 2024, Game Pass transformed from one of gaming’s best bargains into a pricey commitment, hitting $240 annually without any discount for yearly subscribers. It’s a move that stings. – John Walker
