‘Greed Over Gaming’ Xbox Founder Comments on Game Pass Price Hike

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A founding member of the Xbox team is publicly criticizing Microsoft’s recent price hikes for its consoles and Game Pass Ultimate. Laura Fryer believes these decisions are out of touch with what gamers want and has joined the growing wave of criticism surrounding Xbox’s business practices in recent weeks.

Many gamers are struggling financially due to the tough economy and rising costs. We’re seeing layoffs at game development companies, studios closing down, and fewer people buying new games, which is creating a lot of worry about the future of the industry. According to Fryer, recent decisions by Xbox feel like a disappointment to fans, prioritizing profit over the love of gaming.

Xbox Founder Speaks Out Against Microsoft’s Price Hikes

Former Microsoft Game Studios co-founder Bonnie Ross Fryer recently shared her concerns in a YouTube video, criticizing Xbox’s current leadership. She questioned whether they truly understand what makes the Xbox special. Fryer specifically pointed to the recent price increases for the Xbox Series X and S consoles, which took effect in October, as evidence that Xbox has historically struggled to compete with PlayStation and Nintendo in the hardware market. She also suggested the current leadership team is addressing issues without properly diagnosing them.

Microsoft’s head of Xbox subscriptions, Jeri Fryer, strongly criticized Xbox leadership regarding the recent Game Pass Ultimate price increase to $10 per month – a 50% jump. While the announcement included the addition of 48 new games, Fryer acknowledged customer frustration with the price hike and a promotional video that ironically highlighted player choice. She pointedly noted that the price increase effectively *removed* that choice for many, as customers were leaving the service as a result.

Beyond the price increases, Fryer questioned several choices made by Xbox leaders, particularly their shift away from making games only for Xbox consoles. She believes this has made the brand feel less distinct. This issue is worsened by services allowing Xbox games to be played on PCs and handheld devices. Fryer argues that these combined factors are damaging Xbox’s connections with both players and developers, ultimately weakening brand loyalty. She summarized her concern by saying that making everything accessible on any device diminishes what makes Xbox special – if everything *is* Xbox, then the brand loses its unique identity.

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2025-10-10 01:30