Coming out of beta soon, Xbox Game Pass for PC’s price is increasing to $10 per month. PC players were informed the subscription service would be reaching beyond the Xbox console as early as May 2019, with Game Pass for PC’s beta going live on June 9, 2019. Those who participated in the beta were able to get their first month of the service for one dollar, with the months after costing $4.99 during the beta phase.
Microsoft has been pushing Xbox Game Pass hard for the last year, wanting to blend the services of its various subscriptions into one eventually. Fans who subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate get access to the service’s vast games library, Xbox Live Gold, and Project xCloud – the latter of which is still in a beta state. EA Play will also be added to Game Pass Ultimate during holiday 2020 at no additional cost to subscribers.
Leading into its departure from beta, the official Xbox Game Pass for PC Twitter announced the service would be launching into “general availability” next week and will increase in price to $10 per month. Specifically, the post mentions Xbox Game Pass for PC is “retiring the introductory price on the 17th, but if [fans are] already a member, [they will] pay the same rate through the next billing cycle.” Xbox had announced the normal, post-beta price for Game Pass Ultimate in 2019, putting it at $10 per month. Game Pass for PC will leave beta this month, presumably on the 17th when the introductory price is no longer available.
Game Pass Ultimate is Microsoft’s attempt to consolidate its various services into one beastly package. With all the games offered in the virtual library, including first-party titles the day they launch, combined with Project xCloud and Xbox Live Gold and the perks that come with that, it’s difficult to raise an eyebrow at $10 per month when most people spend more than that every week going out to eat (or ordering delivery, as is more common right now). While being displeased that the price of any service is increasing is understandable, this instance isn’t a surprise given its occurrence was announced over a year ago.
Truth be told, $10 per month is a bargain for something that offers so much content and access. Despite the frustration gamers feel with being charged more, companies still must make money to continue operations. Employees need to be paid, more content needs to be produced, and new ideas need to be developed. None of that is possible if the organization doesn’t make a profit. Naturally, the price tag must be justifiable, but paying any subscription is a gamble, as there is no guarantee that subscribers will perpetually enjoy what is offered. This is true whether it’s Xbox Game Pass, Netflix, or any other virtual subscription.
Xbox Game Pass for PC will leave beta in September 2020.
Source: Xbox