Last Week Was Awful for Xbox Game Pass, There’s Hope on the Horizon

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Last Week Was Awful for Xbox Game Pass, There's Hope on the Horizon

Highlights

  • Xbox Game Pass faced price hikes, day one release changes, and Microsoft Rewards confusion last week, upsetting many loyal subscribers.
  • The new Xbox Game Pass structure limits day one releases to PC Game Pass and Ultimate tiers.
  • Despite recent changes and controversy, Xbox Game Pass promises a wave of major game releases in the second half of 2024, aiming to justify the cost.

As a long-time Xbox gamer and an avid subscriber to Xbox Game Pass, I have to admit that last week was a rollercoaster ride of emotions for me. The price hikes, day one release changes, and the confusion surrounding Microsoft’s decision to limit the core Xbox Game Pass subscription left me feeling frustrated and uncertain about the future of my favorite gaming service.

Last week brought challenges for Xbox Game Pass with price increases, alterations in day one releases, and uncertainty regarding Microsoft Rewards redemption. Microsoft has poured resources into Xbox Game Pass over the past five years, resulting in a consistent supply of new releases, including first-party games from the company. Yet, it appears that these investments have not been sufficient to attract a large enough subscriber base to sustain the service in its existing format.

Before the recent update, Xbox Game Pass users had several choices: Xbox Game Pass Core, previously named Xbox Live Gold, granted access to online multiplayer and a selected group of games from the Game Pass library. The standard Xbox Game Pass did not include online multiplayer but offered day one releases and access to all console-based Game Pass titles. Lastly, there was PC Game Pass, which was simply Xbox Game Pass for personal computers. However, the most expensive option, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, encompassed all the advantages of the preceding plans, along with unique bonuses and discounts.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed some major changes in the Xbox Game Pass tiers following the recent update. Even though the names haven’t changed, the perks have shifted significantly. No longer am I guaranteed day one game access just by having the standard Xbox Game Pass. That privilege is now exclusive to PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft has moved day one releases behind the paywall for console gamers, and they’ve also bumped up the prices. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $19.99 per month, PC Game Pass is priced at $11.99 monthly, and Xbox Game Pass Core’s annual subscription fee has climbed from $59.99 to $74.99.

Xbox Game Pass Price Increases

Last Week Was Awful for Xbox Game Pass, There's Hope on the Horizon
  • Xbox Game Pass Core Annual: $59.99 to $74.99
  • PC Game Pass Monthly: $9.99 to $11.99
  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Monthly: $16.99 to $19.99

As an Xbox fan, I’ve been dismayed by the recent combination of Xbox Game Pass day one release changes and price hikes. The frustration level among the community has been high, especially for those of us who have been using Microsoft Rewards points to redeem our Game Pass subscriptions. The confusion started when Microsoft made some controversial changes to its Microsoft Rewards program. To add fuel to the fire, some users received messages suggesting that we would no longer be able to use Microsoft Rewards to get Game Pass. But it seems that was just a miscommunication – for now, we can still use our rewards points to pay for Game Pass, albeit at higher prices. This is certainly inconvenient for those of us who had auto-renewal set up through Microsoft Rewards, but at least the option is still there for the time being.

Big Xbox Game Pass Games Are Still Coming in 2024

  • Creatures of Ava – August 7
  • Sopa – August 2024
  • Star Trucker – September 3
  • Age of Mythology: Retold – September 4
  • STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl – September 5
  • Frostpunk 2 – September 20
  • Ara: History Untold – September 24
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – October 25
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – November 19
  • Avowed – TBA 2024
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – TBA 2024

Last week was a tough one for me as an Xbox Game Pass fan due to the price increase and the limitation of the core subscription. I had been hoping that things would turn around with the new games announcement in the second half of July 2024. Sadly, this news confirmed that we were only getting three more games for the entire month: Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Dungeons of Hinterberg, and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. While I’m excited about these new additions, it’s disappointing to know that’s all we have to look forward to for the rest of July.

In the past few months, being an Xbox Game Pass subscriber hasn’t been a walk in the park. However, there are promising signs for the future. Several highly anticipated games are set to join Xbox Game Pass in the second part of 2024, some of which have yet to be revealed. Based on what we know so far, it looks like Microsoft is working hard to make up for the recent price hikes with these new additions.

In August, there are two games, “Creatures of Ava” and “Sopa,” available. For September, the lineup includes “Star Trucker,” “Age of Mythology: Retold,” “STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl,” “Frostpunk 2,” and “Ara: History Untold.” The highly anticipated “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6” is set for release on October 25, promising to be a major game this year. Lastly, “Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024” joins the roster on November 19, and Game Pass subscribers have additional titles to anticipate in the second half of 2024.

As a longtime fan of action-adventure games, I’m thrilled to share my perspective on the upcoming releases from Obsidian Entertainment and MachineGames. Based on the latest rumors and leaks circulating in the gaming community, it seems both “Avowed” and “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” are set to drop in 2024.

As someone who has been an avid Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber since its inception, I can’t help but get excited about the prospect of what 2025 has in store for us gamers. The Xbox Games Showcase in June was nothing short of a spectacle, showcasing an impressive lineup of new games that left me in awe.

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2024-07-18 19:06