Microsoft recently raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate by 50%, from $19.99 to $29.99 per month. To soften the blow, the company highlighted a “new” perk: subscribers can earn up to $100 annually in Microsoft Rewards points. However, this so-called benefit comes after a heavy hit to the points system, so is it even a bonus?
The Reality Behind the Rewards
Game Pass Ultimate has always been one of the most popular redemptions for the Microsoft Rewards system. In fact, it was quite a good deal, as you could stockpile them ahead of price jumps and even gift them to friends. But, in preparation for the price hike, Microsoft took away Game Pass Ultimate codes. Instead, you’ll have to buy store credit to pay for Game Pass instead. It’s a heavy blow to a system that has taken blow after blow in recent years, leaving users not only unsatisfied but stressed and unhappy, like this reddit user:
A Questionable Value Proposition
With Points users now having to pay the price in credit, the price has jumped excessively. At $29.99 per month, the annual cost of Game Pass Ultimate is $360. Even if a subscriber were to earn the full $100 in rewards, it offsets under a third of the cost. This leaves the majority of the subscription price unaffected, making the rewards seem more like a consolation prize than a substantial benefit.
While it’s true that players can earn Microsoft Rewards points through activities like playing Game Pass games, completing quests, and using Bing, the actual earnings are modest. Reports suggest that diligent users might accumulate up to 13,000 points per month, which requires heavy grinding of the Bing daily rewards system. And that’s not to mention the issues with being banned or blocked for overdoing it.
Conclusion
It really is one battle after another with Microsoft these days. They’ve been laying off workers left and right to make room for AI, killing games studios, and now they’ve raised prices and cut benefits. While the $100 rewards perk may appear appealing at first glance, a closer examination reveals that it’s a minimal offset against a substantial price increase. Gamers should weigh the costs and benefits carefully before committing to the new pricing structure.