What to make of Microsoft’s Game Pass overhaul

Somehow the best and worst moment for Xbox's "Day One With Game Pass" offer

The top Game Pass selling point. Image: Microsoft.

Earlier this week, I got an email from my local zoo, informing me that “in keeping with our commitment to excellent animal care and customer service, the zoo’s membership fees for non-premium packages are increasing.”

What appeared to be a simple announcement of a price hike—hey, I get it, giraffe feed probably costs more money these days—proved confusing the more I thought about it. 

Wait, what are non-premium memberships? 

Which ones are the premium ones? 

Why are they promoting “Supporting, Patron, and Benefactor” tiers which start at…$200?? 

Such is the way these announcements go.

On Monday, Electronic Arts said a new pricing plan would “decrease the price” of its Apex Legends battle royale season passes, even though the revised scheme will in fact increase the annual cost of keeping up with the game.

Late yesterday, Microsoft said it would be transforming its popular Game Pass subscription service. The news is either the death knell for the service’s premiere selling point—major $60/$70 releases included on day one of release at no added cost—or it’s not. 

That is indeed a wide gulf of possibilities! 

But this one is complicated.