Gamers have expressed frustration after Microsoft confirmed a sharp increase to its Xbox Game Pass subscription fees.
The most popular option in the service — which works much like Netflix but for video games — is jumping from £14.99 to £22.99 per month, a rise of more than 50%.
Almost immediately, players on social media reported cancelling their memberships, with some even suggesting the cancellation page briefly stopped working under the strain. Microsoft has yet to comment on whether the surge in traffic caused the issue.
New Three-Tier System
Alongside the price change, Microsoft outlined a new structure for Game Pass. Subscribers will soon be able to choose between:
- Essential (£10/month): the entry-level tier required for online multiplayer.
- Premium (£14.99/month): mid-range option with access to a wider library.
- Ultimate (£22.99/month): the top level, including day-one access to major titles from Microsoft studios.
Ultimate is pitched as the best value for players who want to dive into new blockbusters the moment they’re released. Without Game Pass, those same games, such as Call of Duty, often cost around £70 each.
To sweeten the deal, Microsoft has added big names like Hogwarts Legacy and several Assassin’s Creed titles to the subscription catalogue. The company insists the changes provide “flexibility, choice, and value,” though many fans clearly disagree.
The Subscription Debate
Gaming journalist Ed Nightingale, deputy editor at Eurogamer, told BBC’s Newsbeat that subscription services have grown significantly in recent years, with both Xbox Game Pass and Sony’s PlayStation Plus showing strong uptake.
“With the price of games rising across the board, subscriptions still look cheaper than buying new releases individually,” he explained.
However, he also warned the latest increase could backfire:
“Over the course of a year, the cost really adds up. Microsoft wanted Game Pass to be seen as the best deal in gaming, but this feels anti-consumer. They risk losing the goodwill they’ve built.”
When Game Pass launched, critics questioned how long Microsoft could keep prices low given the escalating costs of game development. Many now argue the service may have reached its tipping point.
Wider Industry Pressures
The Game Pass hike isn’t the only price change gamers are facing. Microsoft has also raised prices for Xbox consoles, accessories, and first-party games this year, citing “market conditions” and the expense of modern game production.
Sony followed suit with price rises on some PlayStation 5 models, while Nintendo has faced similar criticism for charging premium prices on its latest Switch 2 titles and accessories.
Adding to the turbulence, Microsoft announced nearly 9,000 job cuts earlier this year and scrapped several gaming projects, with reports linking the cost-cutting to its heavy investment in artificial intelligence.
Despite the backlash, Microsoft insists Game Pass remains profitable, with last year marking its strongest revenue performance yet from subscription services.