Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Isn’t So Attractive Anymore
Once hailed as “the best subscription system in gaming,” Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is now slowly losing that title. Microsoft’s latest price hike has raised the monthly fee from $20 to $30. This change has rekindled debate about whether the service is truly still “worthwhile.” While it might seem attractive with the addition of new subscriptions, it’s no longer worth it for most gamers.
Game Pass Is Now More Expensive, But Is It Worth It?
The new pricing has brought Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to a steep annual cost of $360. Microsoft is trying to offset this increase with additional services. The subscription now includes EA Play, Ubisoft Classics, and the upcoming Fortnite Crew memberships. On paper, the combined value of these services exceeds $260 per year, but real-world usage figures are less promising.
For example, Ubisoft Classics offers only a limited number of games, most of which come with the standard edition. The situation is clearer on the EA Play side: 10-hour trial access to new games and a selection of older titles. However, Microsoft’s price hikes and the removal of game and DLC discounts are diminishing the appeal of these memberships.
The Fortnite Crew add-on is also controversial. While it offers monthly V-Bucks and exclusive skins, it doesn’t offer enough content to justify its annual $144 cost. Even Fortnite players need to dedicate significant time to the game to fully utilize this membership.
From Microsoft’s perspective, Game Pass still offers a massive library of games. This year, many major titles like Avowed, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Gears of War Reloaded joined the service directly. However, research shows that the average player only purchases two games per year, representing an annual spend of approximately $140. Therefore, Game Pass’s $360 price tag no longer seems reasonable for most players.
Game Pass used to be able to pay for itself by playing just one or two games. Today, with the price hike, this “advantage” formula has been disrupted. It may still be somewhat attractive to players who are fully committed to the Xbox ecosystem, constantly trying new games, and actively dedicating time to service games like Fortnite. However, for the broader player base, Game Pass is no longer the best deal, but rather a favorable option only under certain circumstances.
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