Microsoft responds to Xbox Game Pass price hike: “It’s never fun

The director of communications at Microsoft acknowledges the impact of the increases and promises more value in each plan.

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The recent restructure of Xbox Game Pass, which has brought new subscription levels and a price increase, has sparked a lot of debate in the community over the past few hours. Many users have expressed their doubts and complaints, while others have pointed out that the service remains one of the most comprehensive offerings in the industry.

In this context, Microsoft has stepped forward to explain its stance. In an interview with The Verge, Dustin Blackwell, director of gaming and platform communications for the company, acknowledged that “price increases are never fun”, ensuring that the team is aware of the situation and is working to compensate for the changes with more benefits for gamers.

Microsoft promises more value in each Game Pass tier

Blackwell noted that these price increases were not taken lightly and that the company is working to strengthen the service:

We understand that price increases are never fun for anyone, but we’re trying to bolster them by adding more value to these plans as well. It’s something we don’t take lightly, and we’re listening to feedback from gamers and the community to try to offer them more than they’re asking for.

With the arrival of the new Essential, Premium, and Ultimate plans, Xbox ensures that it will offer more games and advantages than ever before. Among the most notable new features are the integration of Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew in Ultimate, the increase in Xbox Rewards benefits, and the expansion of the catalog with Day One releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 or Ninja Gaiden 4.

In any case, Microsoft’s message is clear: the price increase aims to be accompanied by real improvements to the service, so that gamers perceive the investment as still being worthwhile compared to the competition. We’ll see if this move pays off for them in the long run, but for now, this is what they’ve proposed, and only time will tell if they’re right or wrong.