Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Could Make Good On This Promise To Justify Rising Costs

Once seen as a great value, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate continues to face criticism as its subscription prices go up. What used to be a service praised for its access to a large collection of games is now making subscribers wonder if the benefits are worth the higher cost. The discussion about Game Pass has changed, with many remembering when it was expected to offer more, especially in terms of DLC. There was a time when it was suggested that DLC would be included as a subscription benefit.

Microsoft now has a great chance to improve Game Pass Ultimate's value and justify the price increase. By offering free DLC for games developed by its own studios, Microsoft could address subscriber concerns and spark new interest in the service. This move would go beyond just letting people access a library of games; it would provide a real benefit that supports the "Ultimate" claim of the service, especially with the now higher Game Pass subscription costs.

Xbox Game Pass Promised DLC When It Started

This Used To Be An Incentive

In the beginning, Xbox Game Pass suggested that DLC would be an important part of the service, especially for games made by Microsoft-owned studios. The idea was that subscribers wouldn't just get the main game but also all the expansions and extra content that came with it. This made Game Pass attractive because it meant players would have access to a complete gaming experience without buying additional content separately. It was like a streaming service where you get all of a show's seasons without extra fees.

However, as Game Pass has grown, that commitment seems to have changed. Now, DLC is rarely included for free, and players still have to pay extra for many Microsoft games to get the additional content. This has made the service feel less valuable than it initially appeared. Subscribers lost value as more games came out without giving them DLC with it. It's normal for games Microsoft doesn't own, but it happened with games made by Microsoft's own studios.

Microsoft-Owned Developers Should Offer Their DLC For The Highest Tier

They Could, And They Should

Microsoft bought so many studios to offer games without worrying about PlayStation exclusivity. The buyouts benefit Game Pass subscribers because those games come with a Game Pass subscription. However, it feels like Xbox could take more advantage of owning those studios. It's easy to question whether the subscription is worth the increasing price since it doesn't seem to rise in value. Microsoft should require all of its first-party studios to include their DLC as part of the Ultimate subscription.

This isn’t just a small gesture; it would greatly increase the value of the service. For instance, if the new Starfield expansion and any future story add-ons were included with Ultimate, subscribers could enjoy the full experience from day one without paying extra. This would clearly benefit Ultimate subscribers and help justify calling it "Ultimate." Rather than just providing access to a library of games, it would make sure subscribers have ongoing and complete access to what Microsoft publishes.

By leveraging its many studios, Microsoft could make Ultimate much more appealing. Right now, Microsoft feels like it's less valuable thanks to the services that come with PlayStation Plus, namely Ubisoft+ Classics, which Game Pass does not have. So Game Pass should start to offer services PlayStation Plus does not, like DLC for games owned by Microsoft Studios.

The New Game Pass Still Feels Like More Cost Without More Benefits

Prices Go Up, But Has Value Stayed The Same?

The price for the Game Pass Ultimate tier has gone up, and a new Standard option has been added. This tier feels like subscribers are paying the same for less than the previous experience. The new Standard tier is priced the same as Ultimate used to be, but it does not include benefits like day-one access to new games and cloud gaming, which are now only part of the more expensive Ultimate plan.

It's hard to understand why subscribers should pay more when they're not getting much extra value in return. The Ultimate tier now just seems like a pricier option without significant improvements, leading many to wonder what justifies the higher cost. Microsoft will likely continue to raise this price as the company spends more money trying to keep Game Pass valuable. However, another big price increase is liable to turn potential subscribers away.

It seems like Game Pass is shifting towards a typical subscription model where prices go up without added value. This has left many feeling that the Ultimate tier isn't as special as it used to be, making it seem less appealing than before. Microsoft would lose profits from giving away DLC for free, but eventually, the company has to give subscribers more reasons to stay on.

DLC Is A Big Part of Games, And Microsoft Should Capitalize On That For Subscribers

DLC Is Usually Guaranteed With New Games

DLC has become a key part of the gaming experience in the modern industry. What started as small extras has now become essential expansions that often include new stories, characters, and gameplay features. Many games are now released feeling incomplete, with additional content needed later as DLC for players to fully enjoy them. Game Pass can meet the demand that's rising from games.

Microsoft can take advantage of this trend by including all first-party DLC in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. This approach would match the current gaming reality and offer a fantastic deal for subscribers. Since Microsoft owns its game studios, it can easily make this decision without dealing with outside negotiations or licensing. Offering complete gaming experiences through this subscription would reinforce the appeal of the Ultimate tier.

From a financial standpoint, this move would likely benefit Microsoft significantly. By bundling first-party DLC with the Game Pass Ultimate, it could greatly increase the service's perceived value and attract many new subscribers who want full access to games without paying extra. It's a straightforward choice for consumers: instead of paying for each piece of DLC separately, they could pay a single monthly fee for everything. This makes Game Pass Ultimate much more attractive than buying games individually.

In the long run, this strategy could lead to stable and predictable income for Microsoft. Even though the main benefit would come from subscriptions, more players would also be likely to buy extras, like cosmetic items, once they’re gaming. Microsoft is in a strong position to take this step because it owns the games and the production processes. Ultimately, adding first-party DLC is not just good for customers; it’s a smart business move for Game Pass that would help the Ultimate package.

Source: The Verge

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Xbox Series X/S

Brand

Xbox

Original Release Date

November 10, 2020

Hardware Versions

Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Series S

Original MSRP (USD)

Series X priced at US$499 and the Series S priced at US$299

Weight

9.8 lb

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are two consoles Microsoft released in  November 2020. Like most Xbox models, the Xbox Series X/S was the main competitor to the PlayStation 5. The consoles were the successors to Microsoft’s Xbox One line. While the PS5 and Xbox Series X are comparable interns of graphics, the Xbox Series S provides less powerful graphics around 1080p-1440p and does not contain a disc drive.

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