Microsoft’s gaming chief says Xbox Game Pass has “become too expensive.”

Microsoft’s new head of Xbox, Asha Sharma, has indicated that Xbox Game Pass prices are about to change. And in an internal memo to Xbox employees, I got it EdgeSharma admits that “Game Pass has become too expensive for gamers” and that Microsoft needs a “better value equation.”

“Game Pass is fundamental to the value of gaming on Xbox. It’s also clear that the current model is not the final model,” says Sharma. “In the short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation. In the long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system that will take time to test and learn.”

Microsoft has raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $29.99 per month last yeara massive 50 percent increase. The company has tried to justify the price hike with a variety of upgrades across all Xbox Game Pass tiers, but the cost increase has clearly taken a toll on Game Pass.

I understand that part of the increase in the cost of Game Pass is due to Microsoft’s decision to add Call of duty In the subscription service. I mentioned Nearly two years ago Which Microsoft was discussing whether to include new versions of Call of duty in Game Pass, with concerns from some at the company at the time when the resulting revenue was exemplary Call of duty Sales will be undermined by Game Pass. Microsoft went to He adds Call of duty To the bass game In the summer of 2024.

During the weekend, Windows CentralMicrosoft’s Jez Corden hinted that Microsoft may be on the verge of making this decision Call of duty Outside the game arcade. “If they take Call of duty “Outside of Game Pass this year, which is a possibility from what I’ve heard, I think it will kind of reveal some cracks in the strategy, maybe,” Corden said. XB2+1 Podcast.

Sharma points to “online chat” about rumors of Microsoft changing Game Pass pricing, and says she’ll “dive deeper” with Xbox employees next week. I don’t expect any immediate price changes in the coming days, but it certainly seems like Sharma is aware of Game Pass’ pricing issues and is preparing to address them in the coming weeks.