MICROSOFT CUTS GAME PASS PRICES, EXCLUDES NEW CALL OF DUTY

The price cuts represent a 23% reduction for Ultimate subscribers and a 15% decrease for PC Game Pass users. This follows Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's recent acknowledgment that Game Pass had become too expensive for players. Game Pass Ultimate drops from $29.99 to $22.99 monthly, while PC Game Pass falls from $16.49 to $13.99. The adjustments apply to new subscribers and renewals. The exclusion of new Call of Duty games signals a shift in Microsoft's Game Pass strategy, particularly given its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October 2023. Future Call of Duty releases will require separate purchases or will be available through higher-tier subscriptions. The move reflects ongoing pressure to balance subscriber growth with profitability concerns. Game Pass has faced scrutiny over sustainability as Microsoft continues expanding the service's gaming library.