You may have heard the news already, but the Xbox Game Pass is experiencing another price hike.
So, what’s the big deal here? Streaming services and subscriptions always increase each year. In this case, this is one of the most steepest single price increases ever seen for a service like this.
It’s also worth noting that this service received a small modification, so let’s break it down and list all the layers and features we have now.
The Xbox Game Pass Essential is now $12.95 per month (officially $10.95 per month). This will provide basic access to online and cloud gaming, as well as over 50 games available on your PC and console.
The Xbox Game Pass Premium costs $17.95 per month (officially $15.95 per month). This gives you all of the aforementioned features of Essential, a library of over 200 games available, and Xbox-Published games will be available within a year each.
Also, the PC Game Pass is available here for $19.45 a month (officially $13.95 a month). This includes a list of over 200 games on your PC, as well as EA plays and first-day releases.
Finally, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate went to $35.95 per month (officially $22.95 per month). This gives you the best access to premium 1440p cloud gaming, access to more than 75 days of releases per year, as well as access to EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics, as well as a list of upcoming Fortnite crews.
So, what’s next?
I feel like I’ve just told everyone that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the best deal for the game, but overnight, it doesn’t feel like a case anymore.
Do you feel like you’re spending more than $431.40 a year on the game? Well, this might suit you. But for those who play casual games or simply aren’t interested in libraries, it may be time to invest (own) in the small number of games they actually want to play.
Certainly, Xbox places this in a way that boasts considerable value for money by adding Ubisoft + Classics and Fortnite crews, but that also seems too specific.
It is also worth noting that Xbox is about to introduce a free version of cloud games.
With the recent price hikes for their consoles added to the tension, it is clear that Xbox is collecting some additional software revenue from the lack of hardware sales.
However, as the addition of Xbox Cloud Gaming is a stronger pillar for them to move forward, the Xbox Game Pass may make selling software a bit more difficult, so that it can be applied to players. After all, they want everything you need to be an Xbox or at least play the game.
It’s hard to say if this is the long term for Xbox, but I don’t think they’re doing a lot to keep their hardcore fans, let alone casual fans.
They’re already planning for the next generation of hardware, but this may feel a bit closer to a traditional PC than ever before.
I think you’ll know the time.
