WhatCulture Gaming Xbox Just KILLED Game Pass
Oct 2, 2025
Scott and Josh dive into Xbox's recent blunders, from layoffs to subscription price hikes. They explore new Game Pass tiers and debate if perks justify the increases. The duo discusses user backlash and cancellation trends in light of the changes. They also analyze how the pricing strategy impacts the perception of value and speculate on competitors' responses. Plus, they leak insights about a potential Lord of the Rings open-world game and discuss BioWare's uncertain future amidst EA's restructuring.
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Xbox Has Shifted To Monetize Existing Users
- Xbox's 2025 moves (hardware and subscription hikes) have shifted Game Pass from a growth play to heavy monetization.
- That shift risks alienating casual users who previously saw Game Pass as an effortless value proposition.
Day-One Promise Now Locked Behind Top Tier
- Microsoft split Game Pass into tiers that remove key promises from lower levels and reserve day-one perks for the top tier.
- That repositioning turns Game Pass into a product where core benefits require paying much more than before.
Reassess Subscriptions Before Renewing
- Re-evaluate your Game Pass usage before renewing at higher prices and consider short-term subscriptions for binges.
- Cancel or pause if you can't realistically play multiple premium games each month.