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2h ago

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Overhaul Triggers Backlash as Ultimate Jumps to $30

A Bloomberg report says putting Call of Duty on Game Pass cost more than $300 million in lost sales, raising fresh doubts about the subscription’s economics.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Lina Khan speaks onstage during the Fast Company Innovation Festival 2024 at BMCC Tribeca PAC on September 19, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Fast Company)
Another threat to the Microsoft bottom line is the upcoming Battlefield 6.
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Image: Microsoft

Overview

  • New tiers are live with Ultimate now $29.99 per month, adding 1440p cloud streaming plus partner perks like Ubisoft+ Classic and Fortnite Crew, and advertising access to 75 day‑one releases annually.
  • Bloomberg, citing current and former employees, reports an internal estimate of over $300 million in foregone sales from Black Ops 6 on Game Pass, with roughly 82% of full‑price launch‑month U.S. sales occurring on PlayStation.
  • Microsoft confirms legacy Xbox Game Pass for Console subscribers with auto‑renew remain grandfathered at $10.99 with day‑one titles, and day‑one access continues for Ultimate and PC Game Pass members.
  • Player backlash included widespread cancellations, with Microsoft’s subscription management page briefly crashing as users attempted to unsubscribe.
  • Microsoft removed upfront DLC discounts for members and replaced them with Microsoft Rewards points (10% back for Ultimate, 5% for Premium), while retailers such as Amazon and GameStop are still selling prepaid Ultimate codes at the old $19.99 rate for now.