Farewell to Xbox Gamepass, it brought some benefits for a time.
Farewell to Xbox Gamepass, it brought some benefits for a time.
I’m really upset about the steep price jump on Game Pass Ultimate. The cost went up by 73%, from 179 NOK to 309 NOK per month, which is a huge change. That’s a drop from $17 to $30 USD, and it happened after another big increase last year. It seems they’re pushing players toward Steam instead.
They're not doing it for fun. It's how modern business operates, particularly in subscription models. This tactic isn't new. The typical strategy is to launch a service at an extremely low cost, undercutting any rivals and causing significant losses for the company running it. Usually, this funding comes from venture capital or large amounts of liquidity, allowing them to sustain losses for years to eliminate competition. Keep repeating this approach until you control the market—often leaving you as the sole provider. Once that happens, you can raise prices. You have to do this because: first, it helps turn the service into a profitable venture by recouping all initial losses through lower pricing; second, it forces users to accept a decline in quality or functionality. It's puzzling why continuous expansion doesn't work and why customers are reluctant to pay more for services that deteriorate over time, especially when competitors are also lowering prices. We're now at a point where people are increasingly resorting to piracy, particularly in regions with little competition. The continued availability of PC and console gaming through various channels makes it harder to establish dominance, though rising prices for big titles plus extra charges like DLC and season passes are making games less appealing to some consumers.
I'm not sure if this approach has always been common. Most often prices change gradually rather than jumping suddenly. Some businesses rely on introductory discounts instead. Yet I don't recall any single instance being that drastic. Personally, I used to buy many games and noticed this recent increase was the moment I stopped feeling comfortable spending that much for a title. Even after sales, they quickly return to previous prices. Not ideal.
It occurs in the physical products sector as well, mainly through market entry rather than outright tarnishment. Focusing on spirits, I've noticed at least two brands—Buffalo Trace bourbon and Kraken rum—launching at extremely affordable prices (20$ for a 750ml bottle). Influencers promote their value, driving demand and capturing market share. Gradually increasing the price over years helps consumers overlook the shift toward pricier options, while eventually settling at a higher cost (40$ for the same size).
I'm just trying to figure this out. Are there really enough high-quality games to make it worthwhile? I was thinking about big releases when prices were around $30 for a month, which would have been a solid investment (even just for games) since back then the selection was huge. Nowadays, with lots of acquisitions and many games being rebranded, it feels like the scene has changed a lot.
It's amusing how Microsoft rushed into the enshittification stage before reaching the growth phase. The goal is usually to capture market dominance with companies like Netflix, Amazon, or Uber, then shift focus. I once considered Game Pass a bad idea, using it only for games I wanted at launch for $10 (such as Dragon Gaiden or Persona 3 Reload).
Many popular shooter titles fall short in quality, with few truly standing out. There are numerous "mass-market" games and RPGs that repeat similar mechanics without significant updates or fixes, often leading to more issues than improvements. In short, only about 10% might be decent, and subjective opinions suggest it's even lower.