Xbox CEO Says Game Pass Is “Too Expensive,” Fans Hoping For Price Changes

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Xbox has been facing some challenges recently. They stopped sharing console sales numbers and began focusing on Xbox Game Pass subscriptions as a way to measure success, but even Game Pass hasn’t been doing as well lately. After a price increase, many fans felt the service became too costly to continue using.

It appears the new Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma, thinks Game Pass is currently too pricey. A leaked memo reported by The Verge suggests she’s considering changes to the service in the near future, which is good news for subscribers.

Xbox CEO Has Words For Game Pass

“Too Expensive”

In her memo, Asha Sharma explained that Game Pass is currently too costly for many players, and we need to find ways to offer better value. She also noted that, in the future, we plan to make Game Pass more adaptable, but this will require testing and gathering feedback over time.

This message is in response to the price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate that happened in late 2026, raising the monthly cost by 50% to $29.99. While often referred to as the “Netflix of gaming,” Xbox Game Pass can now be as expensive as subscribing to multiple other streaming services each month.

Looking at the memo, the focus on a long-term plan is good news for Xbox. Some fans worried the brand might be discontinued, but it appears Microsoft wants to improve and continue investing in gaming, rather than leaving the market.

There could be some drawbacks. Games, even popular ones like Call of Duty, might be taken off the service, and it’s believed that including Call of Duty is a major reason for the potential price increase of Game Pass. If this happens, Microsoft would likely need to completely overhaul how Game Pass works, including changing the different subscription levels and setting new prices.

The upcoming Ultimate subscription might still offer everything from previous levels, with other subscription tiers becoming more flexible. It will be fascinating to watch how Microsoft moves forward and how Sony and Nintendo react to their decisions.

Xbox Game Pass Is Expensive

Especially Post Price-Hike

Many Xbox Game Pass subscribers currently feel the service is priced too high. While it offers great value for those who use it regularly, the higher cost compared to other options makes it less appealing for short-term or infrequent players.

Nintendo used to be known for having the most affordable online service, but now it seems like no gaming company is immune to price increases. This year will be crucial for Xbox. They need to win back their fans, and a price cut combined with a strong launch of Project Helix could help them start to turn things around.

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2026-04-14 03:30