Xbox Game Pass is very popular. Unsurprisingly, for just $1 for the first month ($9.99 for each subsequent month), users get access to a massive number of great games.
However, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has raised concerns that Microsoft, following the merger with Activision Blizzard, may try to raise the price of subscriptions. (via: VGC).
“Subscription prices can be easily changed, so Microsoft may want to do that, especially if it adds popular Activision content to the service, including Call of Duty,” the UK office suggests.
Microsoft considered the suggestion in a recent announcement, aimed primarily at the CMA.
“Game Pass prices will not increase as a result of the merger, and they certainly will not increase to a level that outweighs the significant advantage of Activision titles coming to Game Pass on launch day,” note Microsoft.
The giant it denies that it intends to increase the price of subscriptions “following the merger”, which does not exclude doing so under another pretext, such as the desire to increase prices because of the difference due to inflation. Microsoft noted that after the acquisition of Bethesda in 2020 and the release of new games from this developer on the Game Pass service, the subscription price has not changed.
“Game Pass users are price sensitive, so such an increase would affect all users, including those not interested in CoD. (…) Game Pass subscribers can terminate their subscription at any time after one month of game. Since CoD games only come out once a year, the price hike would give the company a short-term boost, as players might unsubscribe a few months after a new CoD release due lower price”. Microsoft argues
From these statements, it seems that apparently increasing the price would be counterproductive.