Microsoft’s popular subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, is facing a wave of cancellations after announcing a major price increase that raises the cost of its Ultimate tier by up to 50%. The service, long praised for its affordability and expansive library of games, now risks alienating many of its budget-conscious players. Reports indicate that so many users tried to cancel their subscriptions following the announcement that Microsoft’s account management site struggled to handle the surge in traffic.
On Reddit, users reported encountering repeated error messages—specifically “We couldn’t load your subscriptions. Refresh and we’ll try again”—when attempting to cancel Game Pass. While some suspected Microsoft of deliberately blocking cancellations, it’s far more likely that the system was simply overwhelmed by the sudden influx of users trying to make changes after the news broke. A price hike from $20 to $30 per month for Game Pass Ultimate was bound to draw frustration, especially since affordability has been one of the service’s biggest selling points compared to competitors like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max, which have faced similar waves of cancellations after price increases.
Microsoft argues that the higher price comes with new perks. Game Pass Ultimate now includes Fortnite Crew membership and access to more classic Ubisoft titles, while lower tiers are also gaining some new games and features. Additionally, the company is emphasizing its streaming capabilities and integration with its broader “This is an Xbox” campaign as it positions Game Pass at the center of its gaming ecosystem.
Still, the timing of the increase raises questions. As Microsoft works to expand its reach through PC gaming handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally and a new Windows 11 gaming interface, making the subscription less appealing could undermine its strategy. With the Xbox console already lagging behind Sony and Nintendo in global sales, raising prices now may feel like a risky move that undercuts the very value proposition that made Game Pass successful in the first place.
