Microsoft slaps Game Pass Ultimate with a staggering 50% price hike

Microsoft has announced a significant price hike for its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, increasing the cost from $19.99 to $29.99 per month in the U.S. The price of the PC Game Pass is also going up, from $11.99 to $16.49 per month. The price increase comes with some additional benefits, including access to a selection of "classics" from the Ubisoft+ catalog and a new partnership with Epic that includes the Fortnite Crew subscription. However, the perceived value of these added features is subjective, and some users may not find them compelling. The price hike has been met with criticism, as the Game Pass service was previously considered a great value for the amount of content it offered. The move comes amidst Microsoft's recent acquisitions and layoffs, which have impacted some of its own studios and developers. The price increase may also be seen as a precursor to the upcoming launch of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, Microsoft's portable gaming device, which is expected to start at $600 and go up to $1,000 for the more advanced model.