Microsoft responded to the FTC’s allegations: The tech giant is now offering a ‘degraded’ Game Pass experienceThis is exactly the kind of “consumer harm” the FTC warned about. Activision Blizzard Acquisition.
Microsoft argues that this is false, calling the FTC letter a “misleading, off-the-record statement of fact.”
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced it was increasing the price of PC Game Pass from $9.99, €9.99, or £7.99 per month to $11.99, €11.99, and £9.99. It also introduced a new “standard tier” of Xbox Game Pass for console players, which is cheaper but doesn’t include launch-day access to new games – it’s this degradation of the experience that the FTC is referring to.
“It is a mistake to call this a ‘cheaper version’ of the discontinued Game Pass for consoles,” Microsoft’s letter, which was first spotted, said. Tom Warren of The Verge“This discontinued product had no multiplayer capabilities and had to be purchased separately for $9.99 per month (total cost $20.98 per month). Game Pass Ultimate will increase in price from $16.99 to $19.99 per month, but the service offers even more value as many new games become available to play “same day” – including upcoming Call Of Duty releases that have never been available same day with a subscription before.”
Microsoft’s letter argues that the FTC did not make subscription services the main argument in court, instead focusing on the potential for Call of Duty to be pulled away from rival platforms, harming competition. Microsoft points out that this is not the case, as Call of Duty “is not being withheld from those who want it.” It also argues that PlayStation’s subscription service “continues to thrive despite not adding new games to the subscription every day.”
While I can’t legally comment on this public spat, I personally feel that a higher price or a lower price without the release date functionality that is the cornerstone of Game Pass would be a poor consumer experience. The fact that multiplayer is included in the lower tier doesn’t offset that, because I play on PC, where access to multiplayer is not limited by any subscription other than internet fees. Thus, PC Game Pass does not have lower tiers; it’s essentially the same service, just more expensive than it was before. I say boo.
