On October 1, 2025, Xbox Game Pass implemented significant changes that sparked controversy among users. The subscription service, which has been known for offering access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee, saw a price hike in its most comprehensive plan, Ultimate. This triggered a series of negative reactions on social media and gaming forums. The controversy escalated due to the exclusion of popular titles from certain plans and changes to Microsoft’s rewards system.
Price Increase and New Subscription Structure
One of the most discussed changes was the 50% price hike for the Ultimate plan, which increased from $19.99 to $29.99 USD per month, an annual cost now reaching $360, more than the price of an Xbox Series S. Microsoft justified this increase by adding more games, enhanced cloud features, and additional rewards. However, the community perceived it as a move to boost revenue at the expense of loyal users.
Game Pass’s restructuring resulted in three subscription tiers:
- Essential: $9.99/month, offering access to over 50 games on console, PC, and cloud.
- Premium: $14.99/month, with access to over 200 games, benefits for games like Riot Games, and up to $50 in annual rewards.
- Ultimate: $29.99/month, providing access to over 400 games, including day-one releases, Ubisoft+ Classics, EA Play, Fortnite Crew (starting in November), and Xbox Cloud Gaming with support up to 1440p.
Exclusion of Popular Titles
Another point of contention was the removal of some titles, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, from the Premium plan. This game will only be available to Ultimate subscribers, something that didn’t happen previously. This exclusion was seen as an attempt to push users to upgrade to the more expensive plan. For casual gamers or those on a budget, this change signaled that the service no longer offered the same value as it once did.
Community Reactions
The community’s reactions were overwhelmingly negative. On platforms like Reddit, users expressed frustration, claiming that the service no longer justified its cost, especially for those who played casually or had little interest in all the extras offered in the Ultimate plan. Some even complained that the price hike only benefited more committed gamers, leaving out those who preferred a more affordable option.
The subscription cancellation page also experienced a surge in traffic, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction. Criticisms also pointed to the perception that Microsoft was prioritizing profit over user experience, a recurring theme in debates over the profitability of online services.
Changes to Microsoft Rewards
Another notable change was the restructuring of Microsoft Rewards. As of October 1, users can no longer redeem Microsoft Rewards points directly for Game Pass subscriptions. Instead, they must use their points to get Xbox gift cards, which can then be used to purchase the subscription. This was seen as a move to complicate the redemption process, potentially generating more revenue through direct purchases.
New Titles in October
Despite the backlash, October brought an exciting selection of games to Game Pass, including Ninja Gaiden 4, The Outer Worlds 2, Hogwarts Legacy, and several Assassin’s Creed titles. However, users on the Premium and Essential plans would have to wait up to a year to access these games, which further fueled complaints. Ultimate subscribers, on the other hand, had access to these games from day one.
Conclusion
The reorganization of Xbox Game Pass has led to a divided community. While some view the changes as an improvement to the service, others feel that the price hikes and the exclusion of key titles have diminished its value. With changes to the rewards system and growing dissatisfaction, Microsoft will have to reconsider its strategy to regain the trust of an increasingly critical user base. For many, the question remains whether the added benefits justify the rising cost of a service that was once seen as affordable and valuable.
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