Microsoft has once again stirred frustration among gamers by announcing a major price hike for Xbox Game Pass, this time raising the Ultimate tier by 50% and restructuring the service into three levels: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. The move, which pushes Game Pass Ultimate to nearly $30 a month, immediately triggered a wave of backlash from subscribers, with reports surfacing that the cancellation page became temporarily overwhelmed due to the sheer number of users attempting to quit.
While the cancellation issues appear to have been resolved, the timing highlighted how sensitive the Xbox community is to price changes. 
Many users say they are considering either dropping to lower tiers or leaving the service altogether. For some, this was the final straw after months of growing dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s strategy – especially as more Xbox titles make their way to competing platforms.
Critics argue that the subscription model is starting to feel less like a benefit and more like an unavoidable tax on players who want day-one releases. One particularly vocal segment compared this increase to past controversies, pointing out how Game Pass, once celebrated as gaming’s best value, now risks alienating its most loyal fans. The irony, as several gamers noted, is that Sony’s PlayStation Plus now looks like the more affordable and attractive option in comparison.
Adding to the discontent is Microsoft’s own admission that its future in gaming hinges heavily on Game Pass growth, especially beyond console users. Executives have suggested that if subscriptions don’t expand significantly by 2027, Xbox’s gaming division could face drastic changes – even potential exit scenarios. That looming possibility has fueled speculation that Xbox may have only one generation left, with some players already shifting to PlayStation or back to PC gaming as their primary platforms.
On the financial side, analysts suggest that Microsoft’s gamble is about increasing average revenue per user, betting that bundled perks like Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew will sweeten the deal. But even optimists concede that short-term churn is inevitable. Loyalists who still value Game Pass for its library and cloud features may stick around, but the company is clearly walking a fine line between profitability and alienating its fanbase.
In the end, the backlash surrounding the broken cancellation page is symbolic: Microsoft’s decision to raise prices is less about offering players more and more about trying to sustain its massive investments in gaming. Whether this strategy pays off or accelerates a decline in Xbox’s relevance remains to be seen, but the anger online suggests the community isn’t taking it lightly.
2 comments
This price hike basically makes PS+ look like a steal now
Not surprised, the cancel page broke cuz everyone bailing lol