«Game Pass is fundamental to value gaming on Xbox. «It is clear that the current model is not the final one,» reads the memo that Asha Sharma sent to Microsoft Gaming employees. «In the short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for gamers, so we need better value for money. «In the long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system, which will require some time to test and learn.»
I'm sure many gamers will agree with Asha Sharma when she says that the price of Game Pass has gone too far and that they need to offer better value for money. For many Game Pass was a very good option until October 2025, when Microsoft decided to renew the service and raise prices. Since then, Game Pass Ultimate costs 26.99 euros per month, 50% more than before in exchange for including benefits that not everyone wants, and PC Game Pass increased its monthly payment from 11.99 euros to 14.99 euros. Game Pass Premium (previously called Standard) and Game Pass Essential also underwent changes.
The Verge's Tom Warren says he doesn't expect any immediate changes in the coming days, but maintains that Asha Sharma's words make it clear that she is aware of the problems that exist with the price of Game Pass. Plans to address them are already underway and now it is a matter of time. She talks about taking short-term measures, so the proposal should not be delayed for too long. Sharma surely knew that the memo would end up being leaked, so sharing his thoughts with Xbox employees through this channel is perhaps also a way to indirectly reach gamers.
Game Pass Ultimate, the only option that allows you to access games on Xbox consoles day oneis a fairly rigid option that includes advantages such as Ubisoft+ Classics, EA Play, improved cloud play or Fortnite Crew that do not interest all players. Making them optional could lower the price and add flexibility, which is exactly what is wanted.
A few weeks ago we echoed an article from The Information that claimed that one of Asha Sharma's goals was to make Game Pass a more attractive product for a broader audience, and that one of the ways to achieve this was to renew subscription plans to offer cheaper options. Your memorandum goes in this direction. The Information also echoed the possibility of increasing the value of Game Pass by adding services like Netflix, something that its executive director does not rule out.