Asha Sharma, the recently appointed head of Xbox, has led the division for just a short period, yet early signs point to possible improvements ahead, including potentially lower costs. According to a report from The Verge, Sharma sent an internal message to staff discussing the existing rates for the Game Pass offering.
In the document, Sharma reportedly stated, 'Game Pass is central to gaming value on Xbox. It’s also clear that the current model isn’t the final one.' She continued, 'Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation. Long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around.'
Microsoft had increased Game Pass fees on two occasions over a span of 15 months, leading numerous subscribers to view the service as excessively priced for ongoing use. Despite this, the platform continues to provide an extensive selection of games; the lineup for April includes independent titles such as Hades 2 and an upcoming effort from Double Fine called Kiln, as well as major releases like the updated version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Insiders cited by The Verge indicated that incorporating the Call of Duty series could have influenced the recent hikes, given that offering recent installments via subscription reduces potential sales income for Microsoft.
It remains premature to determine if Sharma's note signals a turnaround for Xbox. While the firm might introduce additional complex subscription levels that could deter engagement with Game Pass, the internal recognition of pricing concerns stands out as a welcome development following several puzzling decisions by the company in recent times.