Xbox Game Pass price increases/removal of online multiplayer

Forums › Gaming › Xbox Game Pass price increases/removal of online multiplayer

RogerMellie

350 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 198

#306531 1-Aug-2023 14:31

I have had a Xbox & a Game Pass subscription for about 7 years, and play Halo Infinite regularly, including with mates once a week.

Microsoft has recently announced price increases for their Game Pass subscriptions (regular and Ultimate) which come in to effect in September some time, and for me to carry on playing as usual I will have to pay $21.95/month, instead of the current $12.95/month.

(The regular Game pass subscription loses the ability to play online multiplayer games)

This feels like an extraordinarily shitty thing to do to the casual console gamer. Is anyone else here in this situation?

gcorgnet

1096 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 273

ID Verified

#3110501 1-Aug-2023 14:37

meh.. I find be able to play most games on Xbox for $22 per month to be a very good deal, personally.. Kind of a godsend with kids who get to try a whole bunch of stuff without having to commit.

fearandloathing

537 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 206

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3110509 1-Aug-2023 15:15

Am I missing something?

https://www.xbox.com/en-NZ/xbox-game-pass/core?ocid=XGP_Xbox_Live_Gold_ema_rmc_xbo_Core_Update_2023

Says multiple player is still available on core

Klathman

302 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 78

#3110563 1-Aug-2023 16:01

I think GamePass Core is the replacement for Xbox Gold and that still has multiplayer.

If you have GamePass Console or GamePass PC then you lose multiplayer and have to move up to GamePass Ultimate.

I don't think it's a good look and obviously is geared to try to get people to upgrade to GamePass Ultimate. I guess Xbox is trying to make some money though.

Qazzy03

545 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 491

#3110569 1-Aug-2023 16:30

fearandloathing: Am I missing something?

https://www.xbox.com/en-NZ/xbox-game-pass/core?ocid=XGP_Xbox_Live_Gold_ema_rmc_xbo_Core_Update_2023

Says multiple player is still available on core

As per above, it looks like it is $12.95 per month for multiplayer.

Only change being instead of 2 free games a month to keep it is a catalogue of over 25 high-quality games.

The gold to ulitmate conversion trick has been nerfed tho

p.s:

You do not need an active Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass subscription to play Halo Infinite multiplayer online on any platform. It is free-to-play for anyone with a free Xbox account anywhere it is available

https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407648901396-How-to-install-Halo-Infinite-on-PC-and-Xbox-consoles

SpartanVXL

1498 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 666

#3110571 1-Aug-2023 16:38

Yes there’d be backlash if minimum sub went over $20 for just multiplayer.

PC doesn’t need a sub to play multiplayer and in Halo Infinite’s specific case it is crossplay between xbox and pc, with the multiplayer part free to play and able to use the same MS account.

everettpsycho

668 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 270

#3110810 1-Aug-2023 20:54

Nothing is really changing here, Xbox live is becoming Xbox gamepass core. Gold is losing monthly games in favour of a selection of gamepass titles, which wmis better as games with gold has been shockingly bad recently.

Anyone in standard gamepass for oc or console (not ultimate) has never had online play included in their subscription, the change of gold to core isn't changing that offering.

Quite a lot of people definitely don't pay full price for gamepass. I've had 3 years worth for $150 from Xbox live gold then upgrading. My account is also paid for until August 2026 using rewards points. Money wise I'd say I absolutely got my $150 worth over 6 years.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

RogerMellie

350 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 198

#3110844 1-Aug-2023 22:45

Thank you for the replies. It looks like I misunderstood what was happening/changing.

Kookoo

869 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 407

Trusted

#3110966 2-Aug-2023 11:22

I can't blame the OP for misunderstanding. I'm currently looking at the email they sent about changes to Ultimate, and I can't figure out what they're talking about.

Are they saying they'll no longer be refreshing the GamePass library? That's a serious downgrade in value, if that's the case.

Hello, Ground!

Andib

1395 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 974

ID Verified

Trusted

#3110970 2-Aug-2023 11:29

Kookoo:

Are they saying they'll no longer be refreshing the GamePass library? That's a serious downgrade in value, if that's the case.

They're getting rid of the free game you get given each month as part of Xbox Live Gold.
GamePass will still be getting new titles as normal but you don't own them so they can (and do) disappear when they're no longer part of the subscription, Unlike the free games you got given as part of Gold.

<#
.DISCLAIMER
Anything I post is my own and not the views of my past/present/future employer.
#>

Kookoo

869 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 407

Trusted

#3111009 2-Aug-2023 13:30

Andib:

They're getting rid of the free game you get given each month as part of Xbox Live Gold.
GamePass will still be getting new titles as normal but you don't own them so they can (and do) disappear when they're no longer part of the subscription, Unlike the free games you got given as part of Gold.

I didn't even realise it was a thing. Thanks for explaining!

Hello, Ground!

Paul1977

5171 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2192

#3111816 4-Aug-2023 15:39

Taking away "Games with Gold" and replacing with a 25+ game catalogue is arguably and upgrade for current Xbox Live Gold subscribers. But Game Pass Ultimate subscribers already have the full Game Pass catalogue, so losing "Games with Gold" is a definite downgrade for them.