Phil Spencer says yet another Game Pass price hike is "inevitable"
We truly have no idea what the future of the Xbox Game Pass looks like.
Right now, there are a lot of questions that need answering: how will the Activision Blizzard deal affect the titles that are free to play on the Pass? What’s the deal with the sixth Elder Scrolls game coming to the service? And how is it truly sustainable?
It’s that last question that’s about to be drawn into - well - question, as the pricing structure of the subscription service could, frustratingly, be about to change all over again.
Phil Spencer is expecting yet another Game Pass price hike
Click to enlargeEven though we were once assured that the price of Game Pass would be holding fast in the wake of the purchase of Activision Blizzard, it seems as though Xbox has changed its mind.
Speaking at Tokyo Game Show, Spencer has been reported as saying that a new price hike on the service is bound to come, even in spite of the fact that he suggested we’d not be subject to such a change.
“Although the main premise is to provide more value, the price is I think it is inevitable that it will rise in the future,” reads a translated excerpt of Spencer’s conversation with Game Watch Impress. “We recently raised our prices once, but the decision was made after careful consideration. We believe it is important to provide services that are recognized as being of sufficient value even if prices are increased.”
Fans are furious about Game Pass’ expected price hike
As you can probably expect, fans haven’t responded very well to the news that their subscriptions will be going up - especially as Xbox seemed pretty proud of the fact that they wouldn’t bump up the prices.
It’s a big shame, but if there are big things coming to the service from the finalising of the Activision Blizzard deal, maybe the company feels no choice but to crank the prices. Turn out your pockets, Spencer’s on the prowl.
