Gaming
Price Increase in Xbox Game Pass Subscriptions and FTC Investigation
Learn detailed information about the price increases in Xbox Game Pass subscriptions and the investigation initiated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). What do these developments in the gaming world mean for players and the industry?
Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s game subscription service, has recently raised its prices worldwide. Following this price increase, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States decided to initiate a new investigation.
Reasons for the Investigation
According to the details that have emerged, there are several main reasons for the investigation against Microsoft:
- The price increase of the Xbox Game Pass service.
- The decline in service quality accompanying the price increase.
- The strategy and attitude Microsoft has adopted following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The Federal Trade Commission is challenging the current situation with this investigation. It remains uncertain what kind of outcome will arise from the complaint; however, it is not anticipated that the price increase decision or the acquisition of Activision Blizzard will be harmed in any way.
On the other hand, Microsoft’s lawyers had previously made various commitments that the prices of Xbox Game Pass would not increase following the Activision Blizzard merger. However, it should be noted that these commitments are not binding. It appears that price increases, along with games from the Activision portfolio, were an expected situation.