Players Revolt Against Xbox After A Long Period of Rising Prices and Postponed Releases

Throughout the modern Fallout games, there's a feature where users to select an option so foolish that the game alerts them that "No one approved". This is exactly what's occurring with Xbox as a company right now, with the feedback originates from some of its most dedicated fans.

Just recently, Microsoft announced a significant rise for Game Pass Ultimate memberships, with the price increasing from $19.99 reaching $30 monthly. At this service plan, users will have access to hundreds of games, day-one access for Microsoft's games, and perks like Fortnite Crew, EA Play, plus Ubisoft's selection. Debatably, it's still a good deal for those using any or all of these extras. Solely the Crew membership runs $11.99 per month. Xbox's subscription still routinely provides great releases.

However the cost increase arrives just after a 2024 price increase, and despite the corporation stating their service plan is already profitable. The firm additionally increased the fee on the high-end system on two occasions in just this year, and the top-tier device is now priced at $800. There's also the ROG Xbox Ally handheld releasing Oct. 16 with a shocking $1000. Most people aren't buying all of these things together, should they even consider it. The speed at which Microsoft is raising prices amid continued postponements for eagerly awaited titles has left even ardent fans in total disbelief.

"Hello Xbox, you've assisted me reach a clear choice to end my time gaming on Xbox after 20 plus years," states one post on social media site X.

"Well done Xbox, you spoiled formerly one of the best deals in gaming," a subscriber on X wrote, noting that they'd maintained a membership over seven years.

"I’ve used the platform for most of my gaming for over 10 years," one user said. "Today is the end."

Similar reactions occur on any social media site, indeed. On the Xbox community on Reddit, where nearly 500,000 superfans congregate, the mood is gloomy as well.

"I ended my subscription," a commenter in the primary discussion chronicling the price hike noted. "They're not being realistic."

"I terminated my ultimate sub," another former fan wrote. "I've been a player on the platform. I was already questioning the value frequently yet maintained it because of their gatekeeping multiplayer gaming for $10 monthly thus it made sense to pay the extra $10 for Game Pass ... it's a relief to cancel."

Other companies like GameStop, no stranger to unhappy customers, are taking shots at Xbox right now. Meanwhile, the website which assists people cancel their Game Pass subscriptions is overloaded so intensely, it's not working for some people.

The writing were evident for a while now, a recent instance being Sony's September State of Play, which revealed the simulator game would come to the PS5. Even though the notion of console exclusives has become less meaningful over the years, a console port like this was different. Flight Sim's main goal was to highlight what was possible on Microsoft's system ... but now it's also on a competitor's platform. Call it a shrewd decision or an expected development, however the revelation struck some viewers as a sign of surrender.

However, Microsoft's recent moves might not matter for someone that is fully all-in on the Xbox ecosystem. Chances are they already got that pricey handheld reserved. Perhaps they invested a period advocating for of Game Pass to peers. The deal was so good, telling other people about it essentially was a meme. Not once did they indicate it was 'winning' the console wars, but it was never important to the platform's loyal users.

Even those veteran longtime fans won't support this decision, and it appears they're not making an effort. Some of them are convinced that it's time to switch. It's uncertain right now what lies ahead for Xbox, but the reaction regarding this announcement seems distinct from previous events that occurred earlier.