Asha Sharma's vision for Xbox Game Pass

Recent comments from Asha Sharma, Xbox's new CEO, have drawn plenty of attention. In an internal memo to Microsoft employees, she said that "Game Pass has become too expensive for players." The statement comes after a period of price increases for Game Pass.

Changes to Game Pass

Sharma appears to be planning a fresh look at the popular Game Pass subscription model. She stressed how important Game Pass is to Xbox's value proposition. According to her, the current model is not set in stone, and the company needs to deliver better value to users. Sharma says a shift toward a "more flexible system" is being considered. That could be a major adjustment, especially in response to subscriber complaints about price hikes in recent years.

Current Game Pass plans

Xbox Game Pass is currently available in four different plans: Essential, Premium, PC Game Pass, and Ultimate. Each of these plans offers different benefits and pricing. The main feature is access to a constantly growing library of games that players can download and play.

Sharma says she will share more insight with the Xbox team on these points in the coming weeks. That suggests changes are on the way, although it remains unclear exactly what will be changed.

Price increases and the impact on users

In 2024, Microsoft announced that the cost of Game Pass subscriptions would rise. Many users have voiced frustration over these aggressive price increases, especially the jump in the Ultimate tier from $19.99 to $29.99 per month. The hikes have led to significant dissatisfaction among players, with some choosing to cancel their subscriptions.

There has also been speculation that the price increases are partly tied to the addition of major titles like Call of Duty to the service, though details remain unclear. Players are hoping Sharma's plans will lead to a more affordable and valuable experience for subscribers.