Xbox Quietly Eliminates Another Game Pass Benefit
Players are currently reeling from the recent Xbox Game Pass cost hike, however Microsoft isn't done yet. Once members observed that the usual Game Pass discounts on numerous in-game buys were no longer available, Xbox announced that discounts on titles, DLC, and in-game currency have ceased to be a subscription benefit.
What Was Altered with the Subscription Savings?
“The change applies across all games and DLC, not just specific titles. In place of direct discounts, Ultimate and Premium members will now get 10% and 5% back in points for buying certain games and add-ons from the Game Pass collection,” the tech giant stated in a statement. “Ultimate subscribers still receive a 20% discount on chosen Game Pass titles. Additionally, every Rewards member earns points for Store purchases, with Premium and Ultimate users getting 2x and 4x the points, respectively.”
For instance, buying COD Points in Call of Duty now gives Reward Points instead of a price cut on the Points.
An Issue with Reward Points
But there's a catch there, too: It appears that players can no longer save up reward points to exchange for a few months of free Game Pass, but it looks like Reward Points can no longer be used for that.
Subscriber Reaction and Subscription Cancellations
Between the recent subscription overhaul, the increase for both the service and hardware, and the elimination of the member savings, Game Pass users are furious, and are canceling their subscriptions en masse. Shortly after the subscription cost rise was revealed, the portal where users can cancel their subscription briefly went down from the surge in visits it received in the wake of the announcement.
- Recent Game Pass changes include a higher cost and eliminated savings.
- Top-tier and Premium subscribers now receive points instead of price cuts.
- Reward Points are no longer able to be redeemed for free Game Pass months.
- Numerous gamers are canceling their subscriptions in response.
