For years, Xbox fans have been making a simple, heartfelt plea: give us a steady stream of great, exclusive games. In 2025, that wish is finally being granted in spectacular fashion. With a killer lineup of first-party titles, it should be a victory lap for Microsoft. Instead, a series of aggressive price hikes and baffling business decisions has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many players. It’s a classic case of a monkey’s paw wish come true, leaving many to wonder if this generation will be remembered not for its games, but for its greed.
The Never-Ending Price Hikes
Just as Xbox is hitting its stride with major releases, it seems to be stepping on every rake in the yard. The most painful step has been the relentless price increases. In a move that shocked the community, the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate was hiked by a staggering 50%, jumping to $29.99 per month. For context, just 14 months ago, it was $17. That’s an extra $120 a year for the service’s biggest supporters.
And it doesn’t stop there:
- PC Game Pass also saw an increase, going from $12 to $16.49 per month.
- The Xbox Series X console itself has had its price raised twice, now carrying a hefty $800 price tag in some configurations.
- The much-hyped ROG Xbox Ally X handheld, made in partnership with Microsoft, weighs in at an eye-watering $999 for the high-end model.
Is the Value Still There? Microsoft’s Defense
In Microsoft’s defense, the company argues that it’s adding more value to justify the costs. Game Pass Ultimate now includes a Ubisoft+ Classics subscription and a Fortnite Crew membership, along with higher-resolution cloud gaming. The service has also been home to multiple Game of the Year contenders on day one, such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
October 2025 alone is a testament to Xbox’s content strength, with the launch of the highly anticipated Ninja Gaiden 4, Double Fine’s new project Keeper, and Obsidian’s sequel, The Outer Worlds 2. The games are undeniably there. The problem is the feeling that Microsoft is squeezing players for every last dollar to access them.
A Generation Defined by Contradiction
This is the central conflict of the current Xbox generation. On one hand, players are getting what they asked for: a powerful console and a library of acclaimed games. On the other hand, it’s come alongside a series of anti-consumer moves. While delivering hit games, Microsoft has also laid off tens of thousands of employees and closed beloved studios like Tango Gameworks, the creators of the award-winning Hi-Fi Rush-a game that has since gone multi-platform.
The strategy seems to be a pivot away from being a console manufacturer and toward being a service provider, aiming to make “every screen an Xbox.” But in the process, the identity that made Xbox a fierce competitor is being eroded, replaced by a focus on subscription revenue above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 1. What are the new prices for Xbox Game Pass?
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is now $29.99/month in the U.S., and PC Game Pass is $16.49/month.
- 2. Why did Microsoft raise the prices so much?
- Microsoft says the increase is justified by the addition of more content, including Ubisoft+ Classics, a Fortnite Crew subscription, more day-one releases, and better cloud gaming performance.
- 3. What is the ‘greed’ argument about?
- Critics point to three consecutive years of Game Pass price hikes, two console price increases, and massive layoffs as evidence that Microsoft is prioritizing profits over players and its employees, despite finally delivering on its promise of great games.
- 4. Are Xbox games still exclusive?
- The concept of Xbox exclusivity is changing. Many former exclusives, like Hi-Fi Rush, are now available on other platforms, and major upcoming titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are expected to follow suit. Microsoft’s focus is on bringing its games to as many screens as possible via Game Pass.
- 5. What is the ‘monkey’s paw’ analogy?
- It refers to the idea that Xbox fans got their wish for great first-party games, but it came with an unexpected and unpleasant cost: steep price increases and a sense that the player-first mentality of the brand has been lost.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that 2025 is a great year to be an Xbox gamer from a content perspective. The lineup is strong, and the promise of future blockbusters like Avowed and Fable is exciting. But the constant price increases and controversial business practices have cast a long, dark shadow over these achievements.
This generation could have been remembered as Xbox’s grand comeback. Instead, it’s shaping up to be remembered as the moment Microsoft showed its hand, revealing that the ultimate price of enjoying its incredible games is higher than anyone expected. The games are great, but the cost of that greatness-both financial and moral-may be what defines this era.