Xbox Game Pass Loses 'Millions of Subscribers' After October 2025
Xbox Game Pass lost 'millions of subscribers' after a 50% price hike in October 2025.
Xbox Game Pass lost 'millions of subscribers' after a 50% price hike in October 2025.
Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass faced a significant loss in subscribers following a substantial price increase in October 2025. Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball revealed the impact during a live taping with The Game Business, where Geoff Keighley also shared insights on social media. The subscription service, which had at least 34 million users in February 2024, saw a surge in revenue to nearly $5 billion by July 2025.
The decision to raise prices, including a 50% jump for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier, led to discontent among current subscribers. Despite promises of new game additions like Hogwarts Legacy, the price hike prompted many fans to cancel their subscriptions and express their dissatisfaction on social platforms. Microsoft eventually responded by reducing the monthly fee to $22.99, although still higher than the original price, emphasizing a shift in the service's perceived value.
As part of the adjustments, Microsoft announced the removal of Call of Duty games from the day-one release plan, a move well-received by users. Recent comments from Sharma highlighted the successful turnaround of Xbox Game Pass, noting a return to growth and improved engagement with the gaming community.
