Game Pass
News, coverage and analysis tracking Game Pass across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Xbox Cloud Gaming Hourly Prices Revealed For Non-Game Pass Members
Microsoft has revealed introductory hourly pricing for Xbox Cloud Gaming for users without a Game Pass subscription, with options like 10 hours for $4, 25 hours for $8, and 50 hours for $12. These "cloud playtime packs" will offer an ad-free experience with perks like shorter wait times. Additionally, Game Pass subscribers will face new monthly hour limits starting in November, though Microsoft estimates this will impact only about 4% of users.
Xbox is Returning to Growth After Previous Game Pass Strategy Sent it Into “Freefall” – Rumor
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company is returning to growth after a period of decline attributed to previous Game Pass strategies. Despite significant layoffs, Sharma indicated a positive trend with new game releases like Gears of War: E-Day contributing to improved sentiment and business performance. Sharma also discussed plans to expand the Windows audience and streamline third-party support, while reaffirming that Xbox is not for sale.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Is Moving to a Free Allowance With Paid Top-Ups
Starting in November, Xbox Cloud Gaming will implement monthly playtime allowances for Game Pass subscribers, with tiers offering 15, 10, or 5 hours. Players exceeding these limits will be able to purchase additional playtime. Microsoft cites rising service costs as the reason for this shift, which is expected to impact approximately 4% of Game Pass subscribers.
Subscriptions: The Gaming Industry Business Model of the Future
Subscription services like Microsoft's Game Pass have fundamentally changed the gaming industry by shifting the model from ownership to access. This provides players with greater affordability and choice, while also offering developers and publishers new avenues for reaching audiences and extending game lifecycles. However, increasing competition and subscription fatigue may force platforms to innovate further to retain users.
Xbox Cloud Gaming's new hourly cap is reportedly set exactly where Microsoft stops making money on it
Microsoft has reportedly implemented hourly caps on Xbox Cloud Gaming for Game Pass subscribers, with the limits set at the service's break-even point. Game Pass Essential users get 5 hours, Premium 10 hours, and Ultimate 15 hours per month. This move is attributed to cost pressures, including AI investments impacting server capacity, and a broader trend of cost-cutting within the Xbox division.
Xbox will impose a cap on cloud gaming hours for Game Pass subscribers starting in November
Microsoft will implement monthly hour caps for cloud gaming on Xbox Game Pass starting in November, with different limits for Ultimate, Premium, and Essential subscribers. The company cites rising costs as the reason for the change, while gamers express frustration and speculate about future pricing models.
How Gamers Can Buy Xbox Gift Cards With Dogecoin (And Whether It’s Worth It)
This article explains how gamers can purchase Xbox and Game Pass gift cards using Dogecoin through third-party resellers like eGifter and BitPay. It details the process, potential fees, and the impact of cryptocurrency volatility on gift card value, advising users to check exchange rates and regional validity.
Here Are The Best (And Worst) Ways To Share Your Game Library With Friends And Family
This guide compares the game library sharing options across major platforms like PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S. It details how Steam offers the most robust family sharing, while Xbox's Home Xbox feature is ideal for two-person sharing. Other platforms like Epic Games Store, EA App, and Ubisoft Connect have limited or no formal game sharing features.
Status Pro X GoldenSound Edition Review
The Status Pro X GoldenSound Edition earbuds are a refined version of the already excellent Pro X model, featuring a new GoldenSound EQ profile developed in collaboration with audio reviewer Cameron Oatley. While offering a striking new aesthetic and a slightly enhanced audio experience, the article suggests they are not an essential upgrade for existing Pro X owners, but a top choice for new buyers seeking premium wireless earbuds.
Xbox revenue plunges $1.7bn, with hardware dropping 29% YoY
Microsoft's latest financial results reveal a significant 7% year-on-year decline in Xbox revenue for the full year and 10% in the fourth quarter, primarily driven by a 29% drop in hardware sales. Despite growth in Game Pass, content and services revenue also fell by 10%. The company announced widespread layoffs affecting 4,800 roles, including 1,600 at Xbox, as part of a restructuring aimed at long-term growth, with several studios transitioning to new management or becoming independent.
Xbox Game Pass failed to hit subscriber targets because most people don't play lots of games, says analyst, and going indie won't save it: "I don't see a solution"
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella suggests that Xbox Game Pass failed to meet subscriber targets primarily because the average consumer does not play many games. He argues that focusing on indie titles would further alienate the mainstream audience and worsen the service's outlook. Piscatella believes that the subscription model itself faces significant challenges in the current market, stating he sees no viable solution for Game Pass's struggles.
Xbox brings starter edition of Game Pass to Meta Horizon+
Xbox is now offering the starter edition of its Game Pass subscription service to Meta Horizon+ subscribers in supported regions. This partnership allows Meta Horizon+ users access to over 50 Game Pass titles and 10 hours of cloud gaming. The Meta Quest Touch controllers will also gain Xbox gamepad emulation capabilities in the coming weeks.
Why Game Pass Still Matters
Game Pass remains a significant factor in the evolving video game industry by changing how players discover, test, and experience games. Its large library and subscription model reduce the financial barrier for trying new genres and smaller titles, fostering experimentation and wider audience reach for developers. The service aligns with modern player habits of variety and convenience, and its role is expected to continue evolving with technological advancements.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma points the finger at Phil Spencer's strategy for yesterday's sweeping layoffs: 'We…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has attributed recent sweeping layoffs and studio spinoffs to the previous strategy under Phil Spencer, stating that "we spread ourselves too thin" by making too many bets and not focusing on the core business. Sharma believes a return to a more conventional, console-focused approach is necessary for Xbox's health, despite rising hardware costs and potential customer debt from new financing models.
Xbox Game Pass reportedly boasts around 30m subscribers
Xbox Game Pass reportedly has around 30 million subscribers, a figure below Microsoft's 2026 projection of 77 million users. New CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged that while the service and multi-platform strategy have provided value, growth has not met expectations, leading to recent staff cuts and a strategic reset for Xbox. The service has seen fluctuations in subscriber numbers previously, with a price increase in 2025 followed by a reduction that reportedly improved acquisition and retention.
Report: Xbox testing a disc-to-digital feature
Microsoft is reportedly testing a 'disc-to-digital' feature for Xbox, allowing users to convert physical game discs into digital licenses. This process is tied to the original disc, meaning it cannot be transferred to another user. The feature may not be compatible with all Xbox One games, depending on their manufacturing date.
Xbox reportedly stops signing third-party Game Pass deals
Xbox has reportedly halted new third-party deals for Game Pass, with sources indicating that developers were informed of a pause in negotiations. This decision comes as new Xbox boss Asha Sharma assesses the company's strategy following significant acquisitions and a recent price increase on consoles. While the future of third-party content on Game Pass is uncertain, the service remains a key component of Xbox's business model.
Game Pass lost millions of subscribers as a result of last year's controversial price hike, Xbox chief strategy officer reveals
Xbox's chief strategy officer Matthew Ball revealed that Game Pass lost millions of subscribers following a significant price increase in late 2025. This occurred despite the addition of Call of Duty to the service's day-one offerings. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had previously acknowledged in a leaked memo that the service had become too expensive for players, indicating a potential shift in strategy.
After Describing Them as 'Antiquated', Xbox Now Says It 'Must Have Exclusive Content and Services'
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated a shift in the company's stance on exclusive content, stating that to be a great publisher, games must reach large audiences, but to be a platform, exclusive content and services are necessary. This contrasts with previous statements from Sarah Bond, who called exclusives 'antiquated'. The company is now considering an 'exclusive content and services' approach on a case-by-case basis for its titles, potentially experimenting with games like Gears of War: E-Day.
The Subscription Audit Gap: $3,000/Year Unwatched | TAG
This article highlights the significant financial burden of multiple gaming subscription services, estimating annual costs between $1,000 and $3,000 per consumer. It contrasts this with the ongoing instability and layoffs within the gaming industry, such as Embracer Group's struggles and publisher-wide redundancies, suggesting a lack of consumer-facing accountability in the current business model.