Xbox Co-Founder Slams Game Pass Price Increase as a ‘Betrayal’: What It Means for Gamers

Longtime Xbox fans have recently faced some tough changes. Several games that were once exclusive to Xbox are now available on PlayStation 5. At the same time, Microsoft has raised prices on both Game Pass and Xbox consoles in the US. Laura Fryer, a former member of the original Xbox team, has spoken out about these issues, calling the price hikes a “betrayal” of the trust gamers have placed in the brand.

In her recent YouTube video, she expressed her disappointment. “With this latest increase to Game Pass, Xbox threw away one of their last advantages,” she said. “They were the best deal in gaming. Now it feels like greed is winning over gaming. This generation of Xbox will be remembered for Microsoft’s greed.”

Fryer highlighted the ongoing changes during this console generation, including two price jumps for hardware, three increases in Game Pass fees, and rising game costs. She also mentioned recent layoffs within the company, calling these moves harmful to Microsoft’s brand.

“It looks like Xbox is shifting towards cloud gaming and away from hardware,” Fryer suggested. “Or maybe they’re just missing the mark entirely. They really need to rebuild the trust they’ve lost with gamers. There are still good people on the Xbox team who remember how things used to be. I’m rooting for them.”

Fryer previously noted her belief that Xbox might be stepping back from hardware, pointing to their collaboration with Asus on the ROG Xbox Ally handheld devices. Yet, Xbox’s VP Jason Ronald has assured fans that the company still aims to develop next-generation hardware.

After the latest Game Pass announcement, Microsoft mentioned that the price increases wouldn’t hit all players at once. However, the revision comes alongside the loss of a popular Call of Duty perk in the more expensive version of Game Pass. Some believe an ad-supported Game Pass option may be on the horizon, potentially changing the landscape for gamers once again.

Recent data shows that gamers are becoming more price-sensitive, especially with the rising costs of gaming. A survey by the NPD Group found that nearly 65% of gamers are wary about spending more on subscriptions. This trend could influence how companies like Microsoft strategize their offerings.

In the world of gaming, trust is crucial. Gamers often stick with brands that prove they value their loyalty. As Fryer pointed out, Xbox has work to do to regain the confidence of its fanbase. With ongoing changes in the industry, it’s essential for Xbox to listen and innovate to stay relevant.

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