Xbox chief says Game Pass price increase is inevitable

Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, recently graced the Tokyo Game Show 2023 (TGS 2023) and engaged in dialogues with both the media and his fervent fanbase. In the midst of these engagements, he indulged in an enlightening interview with Game Watch, wherein he shed light on a myriad of contemporary topics surrounding Xbox.

Mr. Spencer expounded upon the commendable performance of Game Pass in the wake of “Starfield’s” much-anticipated release. With the forthcoming launch of “Forza Motorsport 8” on October 10, 2023, Microsoft is on the cusp of realizing its ambitious objective of consistently releasing blockbuster titles on its subscription platform. Amidst a growing chorus of players expressing trepidation regarding potential escalations in Game Pass pricing, Spencer solemnly acknowledged that periodic price augmentations are an inevitability. The recent upward adjustment, he contends, was a meticulously deliberated decision, emphasizing that any price elevation must unequivocally resonate with a concomitant enhancement in value—a tenet he deems paramount.

In the waning days of June this year, Microsoft announced its maiden price revision for Game Pass, elevating the subscription fee for the console from $9.99 to $10.99. Concurrently, the Game Pass Ultimate saw a jump from $14.99 to $16.99. Spencer opined that the recent updates to “Starfield” are pivotal—not merely for the game itself, but also for the subscription service and the title’s inclusion within the Game Pass repository. He further highlighted that these enhancements are in sync with the ongoing endeavors of Bethesda Game Studios, which has just unveiled the game’s inaugural patch.

Lastly, Spencer confirmed Microsoft’s burgeoning collaborations with a selection of Japanese studios, all in a bid to craft titles tailored for the Xbox platform. While certain ventures remain shrouded in secrecy, he acknowledged the ever-evolving landscape of game development. This evolution encompasses both first-party and third-party developers. With a sense of palpable excitement, Spencer conveyed his aspirations for the Xbox platform to be graced with an even more diverse tapestry of Japanese titles in the foreseeable future.