Microsoft may have just shot itself in the foot with its announcement a few days ago. Indeed, the firm has revealed the new prices for Game Pass subscriptions, which increase several euros per month, much to the dismay of gamers. Praised for years for its impeccable (or almost) service and its unbeatable value for money, the catalog presented undeniable advantages over its competitors, including the ability to play games from the day they are released, to enjoy exclusive independent gems, or to access its library anywhere thanks to cloud gaming.
However, Microsoft has just kicked the anthill, and this action may have more disadvantages than benefits. With the revision of its prices, and the pure and simple disappearance of certain advantages, does the Xbox Game Pass still present itself as a good deal for gamers? Nothing could be less certain.
Microsoft comes down from its pedestal
While companies tend to accustom us to gradual and subtle price increases, Microsoft has not done things by halves. After calculation, it turns out that all the plans have increased their prices by 25%, ranging from a 20% increase for the PC and Ultimate plans, and up to 36% for the console plan. Overall, this is the platform that will suffer the most from these changes since it is experiencing the most severe increase, and will soon be deprived of its most attractive advantage for players: “day one” game releases.
In terms of price alone, a quick addition allows us to see that the prices no longer stand out compared to what the competition offers. Per month, all Game Pass subscriptions are more expensive than their PlayStation equivalents, still for console players. On PS5 for example, you can enjoy a catalog of more than 300 games for €13.99 per month (€125.99 per year) while you will have between 300 and 400 on Xbox for €14.99 per month. Since the company does not offer an advantageous annual offer, the Game Pass console therefore increases to €179.88 per year with all the monthly payments added together.
Xbox Game Pass
- PC: €9.99 → €11.99 (+20%)
→ annual: €143.88
- Console: €10.99 → €14.99 (+36%)
→ annual: €179.88
- Ultimate: €14.99 → €17.99 (+20%)
→ annual: €215.88
PlayStation Plus
- Essential: €8.99
→ annual: €71.99
- Extra: €13.99
→ annual: €125.99
- Premium: €16.99
→ annual: €151.99
Diversity or modernity: you'll have to choose
It's clear that PlayStation has almost nothing to envy Microsoft in terms of service. However, this is what makes the manufacturer successful and its trademark, which is struggling to establish itself on the console market. With this decision, we can see that PC gamers are increasingly becoming Microsoft's priority, as they already had more advantages than console gamers at a higher price.
The big blow for subscribers remains the disappearance of "day one" games for this specific subscription. The company announces that games developed by Xbox and its thirty subsidiary studios (Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and others) will no longer arrive in the catalog upon their release, but with a delay, as its direct competitor does with PlayStation Plus.
So who should you turn to for your on-demand games service? If we only think in terms of price, PlayStation Plus wins hands down. To see a real difference between the two manufacturers, you will have to turn to the most expensive formulas.
The PlayStation Plus Premium has a catalog of more than 700 games, including classics, VR games, all accessible via streaming or download. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers you fewer games (around 400) but compatibility with cloud gaming on any platform, “day one” games and the EA Play catalog. Relatively recent games, but in smaller quantities. It remains to be seen whether you are ready to pay for this modernity.
The bad surprise from Xbox
This turnaround didn't just happen to us out of thin air. A year ago, Microsoft increased (admittedly, much more subtly) the prices of its Xbox Game Pass. Officially, this action was taken to align with inflation around the world. A few months later, the firm acquired Activision Blizzard and officially obtained the right to begin mergers/integrations within Xbox. The company had then assured that there would be no increase following this acquisition. It explained:
Microsoft had also warned that we would not see any change at all before the beginning of 2024. It is clear that the advantages are few today - if we compare with the situation during the acquisition of Bethesda for example. The main titles in the company's catalog are still missing, and players have only been promised a few big exclusives.
Since this time Microsoft is not justifying its approach, it is difficult to imagine anything other than Activision Blizzard's weight in the increase in the price of the Game Pass. The fact remains that the two events have not been officially linked, and the bitterness of players is already being felt.
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