Xbox Game Pass Price Hike 2025: Why Gamers Are Furious and #CancelGamePass is Trending

Xbox Game Pass Price Hike #cancelgamepass
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The over 50% price hike in Xbox Game Pass has caused an uproar in the gaming community. Gamers are so angry that #CancelGamePass started trending on social media. Some are even calling it a “death sentence” for Xbox, and discussions have begun about whether Xbox might cease to exist in the coming years. In this blog, we’ll talk in detail about this controversial situation, the gamers’ outrage, and Xbox’s current strategies.

Massive Price Hike in Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass prices have recently seen a significant increase. In the U.S., the price of Game Pass Ultimate has gone up from $20 to $30 per month, while in India, it has risen from around ₹1000 to over ₹1600 including taxes. That’s more than a 60% price increase. On an annual basis, this comes to around ₹19,200, roughly the price of an Xbox Series S console.

Additionally, cheaper tiers like the PC Game Pass have also doubled in price. Now, new games will only be available on day one for Ultimate-tier users, while the Standard tier will get them a year later. Surprisingly, big titles like Call of Duty won’t be included in the Standard tier at all. This move has fueled even more frustration and disappointment among gamers.

Gamers’ Outrage and the #CancelGamePass Trend

The sudden price hike has angered gamers so much that many are canceling their Game Pass subscriptions. Reports say that so many cancellations were happening at once that Xbox’s cancellation page started hanging, and for a while, the option to cancel was even removed. Many gamers say that paying ₹1600 per month is just too expensive. They would rather buy the games they want individually. On average, a gamer buys 3–4 games a year, each costing around $70. At the new Game Pass price, they could easily buy 4 PS5 exclusive titles or several games during Steam sales instead.

Gamers are also upset because Game Pass games aren’t permanent. If your subscription expires or a game gets removed, you lose access to it. In contrast, physical game discs are yours forever and can be played anytime in the future.

The Unsustainable Game Pass Model

When it launched, Game Pass was called the “Netflix of gaming,” offering over 100 games and day-one releases like Expedition 33, Silksong, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Call of Duty for just ₹1000 a month. But the reality of this model is now showing. For example, if a gamer subscribes for ₹1000 and plays a game worth ₹5000, the developer still expects Microsoft to pay them the full ₹5000, while Microsoft only earns ₹1000 from that player, leading to a loss.

To reduce these losses, Microsoft has tried several strategies:

  • Long-term subscriptions: Encouraging gamers to stay subscribed for years.
  • Microtransactions: Earning from in-game purchases and long-play games.
  • Platform expansion: Bringing Game Pass to PC and devices like Steam Deck.
  • Price increases: Raising subscription fees by 50–60%.

But these strategies aren’t working either. Industry leaders, including former PlayStation executives and developers of Stellar Blade, have said the Game Pass model is not sustainable in the long run. Even leaked documents from Xbox chief Phil Spencer revealed that if Game Pass doesn’t become profitable soon, the Xbox brand itself could be in danger.

Other Problems Plaguing Xbox

Apart from price hikes, Xbox is facing several other issues that are disappointing gamers:

  • Cancellations of games and studios: This year, many anticipated titles like Perfect Dark, Fable Legends, Blackbird, and Contraband were canceled. Studios like Tango Gameworks, which made Hi-Fi Rush, were shut down. Thousands of developers lost their jobs.
  • Increased console prices: The Xbox Series X (2TB) now costs $800, even more expensive than the PS5 Pro. The Xbox Rogue Ally X costs $1000, nearly the price of a PS5 Pro plus a decent TV.
  • Lack of exclusives: Xbox exclusives like Starfield, Halo Infinite, Hellblade II, and Indiana Jones are now coming to PS5, making it harder to justify buying an Xbox console.
  • Focus on digital games: Xbox is pushing digital ownership, which isn’t permanent. Unlike physical discs, digital games can be removed anytime, causing financial loss to players.
  • Weak performance of Series S: The limited shared memory of the Series S has made it difficult for developers to optimize games. Titles like Black Myth: Wukong had to delay their Xbox release for this reason.

The Activision Blizzard King Deal and Accusations of Greed

Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard King was the biggest deal in gaming history. The goal was to bring titles like Call of Duty to Game Pass and attract more subscribers. However, even after the acquisition, Microsoft reportedly lost $300 million by putting Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Game Pass from day one.

Former FTC chair Lina Khan tried to block the deal, warning it could create a monopoly. Leaked documents also revealed that Phil Spencer wanted to buy Nintendo and Valve to bring their games to Game Pass too. But the massive cost of such deals ultimately falls on gamers through higher prices for games, consoles, or Game Pass subscriptions.

The Future of Xbox

Xbox’s current strategies, focusing on cloud gaming, AI, and digital content, don’t align with what gamers actually want. Players want a solid console and high-quality games, but Xbox’s “Everything is Xbox” vision feels unfocused. In India, Xbox console availability is already low, and now reports suggest that U.S. retailers like GameStop might stop selling Xbox consoles as well.

According to reports, more major layoffs could happen in 2026, and the next generation of Xbox consoles is on hold. Microsoft is now shifting its focus to high-profit titles like Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Minecraft, and Forza. There’s also talk of launching a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, a move that has angered players even more.

Comparison with Sony and Nintendo

Sony has strengthened its position by announcing the PS5 Pro and new single-player games. PS Plus may not include day-one releases, but purchased games remain permanently yours. Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 is also expected to be a major success. On the other hand, Xbox’s confusing and profit-driven approach is alienating gamers, benefiting Sony and Nintendo instead.

Conclusion

The sharp rise in Game Pass prices, the cancellation of major games and studios, and growing accusations of corporate greed have cast serious doubt on Xbox’s future. Gamers’ anger is justified, they’re paying more for a service that feels increasingly unsustainable. If Xbox wants to recover, it needs to put gamers first again and refocus on quality games.

What do you think about Xbox and Game Pass? Will you cancel your Game Pass subscription? Share your thoughts in the comments. And if you’re looking for affordable alternatives to enjoy AAA gaming, check out our other posts.

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