You know that saying, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is”? That’s exactly how it felt with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass when the Xbox Series X/S launched. For just ten dollars a month, you’d get access to an absolutely incredible library, including those elusive day-one Microsoft-published games. It was a deal that seemed almost too generous to be real.
Fast forward a few years, and while we’ve seen prices creep up, it’s been against a backdrop of global financial turmoil following the COVID pandemic. By 2023, the Game Pass for console had risen to $11, while the Ultimate version—which includes access to PC games—had jumped to $16.99. Even with the chatter about price hikes linked to Microsoft’s massive acquisition of Activision Blizzard for a staggering $69 billion, the increase was actually a little less than inflation, which made it feel somewhat reasonable.
But then came 2024, and things took a dramatic turn. In July, news broke that Game Pass Ultimate was leaping from $17 to $20, a substantial 18 percent spike, now well beyond inflation. Even worse, Microsoft axed the more pocket-friendly $11 console-only tier. In its place, they introduced Game Pass Standard—a much diminished tier without the coveted day-one game releases—at a steep $15. So, if you do the math, that’s nearly a 50 percent price increase for significantly less value.
Essentially, for anyone who relied on Game Pass to tap into the full library and enjoy day-one Microsoft releases, the price rocketed from $11 to $20 a month. This time, with the Activision Blizzard deal firmly in the rearview mirror, the price hike felt suspiciously connected.
In 2024, Game Pass shifted from being one of life’s amazing bargains to one that feels stingy and overpriced. Now it sets you back a hefty $240 annually, with zero discounts for yearly subscriptions. And honestly, that’s a real bummer. — John Walker
