Microsoft recently closed its deal to acquire Activision Blizzard and from next year, the move will see a number of games by the publisher, including the Call of Duty, coming to the gaming subscription. Soon after the deal, the Xbox maker announced the removal of a ‘privilege’, making some employees unhappy.
According to a report in The Verge, Microsoft is removing the free Xbox Game PassUltimate benefit for most of its 238,000 employees.Citing sources familiar with the company’s plans, the publication said that Microsoft started informing employees about the change, due to happen starting from January 2024, this week.
Permanent Microsoft employees were given a free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefit. But now, only Xbox employees or those associated with Microsoft Gaming will get the benefit. However, Microsoft employees will be able to purchase a discounted 12-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription at the company’s internal store.
Some Microsoft employees have raised the issue in the company’s internal messaging platform. This also prompted Xbox chief Phil Spencer to respond who noted that he wasn’t aware of the changes and is looking into the situation.
Xbox Game Pass price hike
Recently, Microsoft increased the Xbox Game Pass price. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price was raised from $14.99 per month to $16.99. Microsoft said Xbox Game Pass had grown to 25 million subscribers in January 2022.
In India, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription is priced at Rs 549. It offers a host of benefits to subscribers including hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud; new games on day one; deals and discounts; online console multiplayer and EA Play membership.
There was a price increase for the Xbox Series X console in multiple markets as well. Microsoft also launched Xbox Game Pass Core in September to replace Xbox Live Gold.