Gamers Cancel Xbox Game Pass After Massive Price Hike

Microsoft’s decision to raise the price of its flagship gaming subscription, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, by nearly 50 percent has sparked an uproar across the gaming community. What was once hailed as the best value in gaming is now facing widespread cancellations, frustration, and boycotts.

For years, Xbox Game Pass was Microsoft’s crown jewel: hundreds of games available for a flat monthly fee, with blockbuster releases launching on day one. But in October 2025, Microsoft unveiled a restructured service with new tiers and a hefty price increase:

Essential – $9.99/month

Premium – $14.99/month

Ultimate – jumped from $19.99 to $29.99/month, a staggering 50% increase

Even PC Game Pass wasn’t spared, climbing nearly 38%.

Microsoft attempted to justify the increases by bundling in extras like Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew, and upgraded cloud streaming. But for many subscribers, those additions felt like unnecessary fluff — features they never asked for, and certainly not worth paying $10 more each month.