Xbox Co-Founder Slams Game Pass Price Hike as "Betrayal of Player Trust"

Game Pass Price Hike Sparks Outrage: Co-Founder Calls it a "Betrayal of Player Trust"

The once-unbeatable value proposition of Xbox Game Pass has seemingly crumbled, drawing sharp criticism from one of its co-founders. Laura Fryer, a foundational figure behind the Xbox brand, has publicly condemned Microsoft's recent decision to increase subscription prices, labeling it a "betrayal of player trust" and joining a chorus of discontent from the gaming community.

Eroding the Xbox Advantage

The latest price adjustments, coupled with strategic shifts like porting console exclusives to PlayStation – titles that subsequently dominated sales charts – have left many questioning Microsoft's direction. Fryer argues that these moves strip Xbox of its distinct advantages, transforming what was once the "best deal in gaming" into an act of corporate greed.

"With the latest Game Pass price hike, Xbox has lost one of its last remaining advantages. It used to be the best deal in gaming. Now it feels like a betrayal – greed over player care. And while this console generation isn't over, its future looks to be primarily associated with Microsoft's greed," Fryer stated in a YouTube video.

Her comments underscore a growing sentiment that Microsoft's strategy is shifting away from prioritizing the player experience. Fryer pointed to a pattern of escalating costs, noting not only the recent Game Pass price increases but also previous hikes on hardware and individual game purchases. While some price increases have been rolled back due to community backlash, the overall trend appears upward.

A Troubled Landscape for Xbox

Adding to the dissatisfaction are the widespread layoffs, studio closures, and the perceived mishandling of exclusive titles. These developments have clearly sown disappointment, even among former Xbox team members. Fryer expressed concern that these "dramatic events" could significantly damage the Microsoft brand.

"I believe all these changes and dramatic events could harm the Microsoft brand. It looks like Xbox is moving towards cloud gaming, away from hardware – although it's possible they are simply incompetent and don't understand what they are doing," she elaborated.

This isn't the first time Fryer has voiced concerns about Microsoft's perceived divestment from its own console hardware. This sentiment aligns with the recent news of Microsoft outsourcing the production of handheld devices, like the ROG Ally, to Asus. Meanwhile, Xbox VP Jason Ronald maintains that the company is committed to developing future console generations, though widespread skepticism persists.

Financial Strategy or Player Neglect?

The substantial 50% price increase for Game Pass may be more than just a standard tariff update. Insider reports suggest it's a direct response to an estimated loss of over $300 million in potential sales following the integration of Call of Duty into the service. To recoup these losses and ensure profitability, Microsoft would need approximately 15 million active users paying $20 monthly for Game Pass Ultimate. The new subscription cost, now at $30 per month, aims not only to cover the deficit but to generate additional revenue.