Overview
- Asha Sharma, in a memo that The Verge published Tuesday, wrote that Game Pass has become too expensive and said Microsoft needs a better short‑term value equation and a more flexible model over time.
- Microsoft has not announced new prices or policies, and reporting says teams are weighing options that include pulling brand‑new Call of Duty releases from day one on Game Pass, testing lower‑cost or ad‑supported tiers, and exploring bundle ideas with partners like Netflix.
- Players saw the top tier jump in October 2025 to about $29.99 per month after a restructure that raised some plans by roughly 50 percent, and multiple outlets link the inclusion of Call of Duty on Game Pass to higher costs.
- Sharma took over Xbox in February and is reassessing strategy after years of leaning on Game Pass growth, with recent coverage noting internal debates about content, value, and how to balance subscriptions with full‑price game sales.
- For subscribers, the near‑term takeaway is no change to current pricing or the catalog yet, though any shift on Call of Duty or new low‑price tiers could affect what games arrive on day one and how much people pay each month.