Microsoft has faced criticism following a significant price hike of its Xbox Game Pass subscription, a decision linked to its massive $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Former FTC chair Lina Khan claims the company has become "too-big-to-care" and expressed concerns that rising prices reflect a troubling trend associated with market consolidation. Despite previously assuring gamers that subscription rates wouldn't increase after the merger, Microsoft recently raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate by 50%. This has led to some users reconsidering their subscriptions, amid fears that the acquisition's implications are coming to fruition.
Why has Xbox Game Pass price increased despite Microsoft’s earlier promises?The price hike is largely attributed to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which has led to increased market consolidation. Despite initially promising that subscription prices would remain stable post-merger, the reality for players shows significant price increases as Microsoft prioritizes profitability.
The Xbox Game Pass service has evolved to become a central aspect of Microsoft's gaming strategy, offering subscribers access to a vast library of games for a monthly fee. However, with changes in ownership and competitive pressures, players are increasingly concerned about the future of this subscription model and its affordability, reflecting a broader unease in the gaming community regarding practices of large corporations.
Alex Riverton
Alex Riverton is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry. Known for their in-depth analysis and hands-on previews, Alex has built a reputation for insightful commentary on gameplay mechanics and storytelling in videogames.
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Comments
Man, it's wild how quickly value for players can turn into value for shareholders when the ink dries on these mega-deals. Guess we're all learning that in gaming, the only thing that levels up faster than our characters is corporate ambition.
Oof, this feels like a classic case of corporate promises hitting the wall of post-merger reality. It's a tough reminder that when companies get this big, our gaming budgets often become an afterthought.