Microsoft recently announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is climbing from the sweaty price of $20 US per month to an eye-watering $30. The “real” gamers around the internet already have a joke for it: “Xbox 360 dollars per year.”
But while the jokes write themselves, determining if Game Pass is still of value to me at this new price has taken far more energy. Yes, the company has also added new incentives and moved some features around, but do these additions create value, or just even more confusion? Let’s break things down a bit.
Currently, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes access to all Microsoft-published games–as well as many other titles–on their respective release days. It also includes a subscription to EA Play, Ubisoft Classics, and will soon include Fortnite Crew. With Ubisoft Classics coming in at $80 per year, EA Play at $40 per year, and Fortnite Crew at $144 per year, the total value of these subscriptions is $264, which definitely helps sweeten spending $360 a year on Game Pass–if you actually use them.
It’s interesting to see how pricing changes can impact user decisions. The value of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has been a strong selling point for many, so this news certainly raises some eyebrows. It will be intriguing to see how gamers respond to this shift.
Absolutely, pricing shifts can definitely influence gamers’ choices. It’s worth noting that while the cost is rising, the service’s vast library and added perks might still provide good value for dedicated players. It’ll be interesting to see how Microsoft addresses these concerns to keep their users engaged.