The Xbox Game Pass account will cost you more Microsoft Rewards points

In a move that has both fans and gamers scratching their heads, Microsoft has decided to hike up the prices for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions for those who use Microsoft Rewards to redeem their memberships.

We reported about many users not being able to find their rewards in the Microsoft Rewards program. For some, Microsoft Rewards didn’t even show up for hours or days.

According to a Reddit post from Conflict_NZ on Reddit, the Auto-Redeem program was updated with new prices for the Game Pass accounts:

As some people who use rewards might know, Auto-Redeem for Gamepass Ultimate has been unavailable for a while. In the last few hours it has just returned with a significantly higher cost. A month of Xbox Gamepass Ultimate is now 17,000 as opposed to 12,000 and PC Gamepass is now 10,500 instead of 7,500.

So, soon, players who have been racking up points through Microsoft Rewards will need to dig a little deeper into their pockets to keep enjoying their favorite games. Let’s dive into the details and see what this means for gamers everywhere.

That came after in July last year, Microsoft increased the prices for Game Pass all across the board.

Back then, Xbox spokesperson Jake Rivers justified the price increase:

We understand that this price increase may come as a surprise to our loyal players. Microsoft Rewards has always been about giving back to our community, but with the rising costs of game development and the need to maintain a quality gaming experience, we had to make this tough decision.

But why the sudden hike for those using rewards? Well, it seems like Microsoft is trying to balance the books after investing heavily in new titles and expanding its gaming library. And let’s be honest, with the gaming industry booming, it’s no shocker that companies are looking for ways to keep their services sustainable. However, the community is understandably divided over the news; while some recognize the need for adaptation in a changing market, others are feeling the financial pinch.

As it was expected, the gamers are not happy about the change and their responses in the Reddit thread are mostly negative:

Haven’t done the “Auto Game Pass Ultimate” point redeem. Currently saving up my points for the $100 gift card, so I typically get the Game Pass Ultimate 3 Months gift card online or in stores sub, but uhhhh…. that’s just not cool man what there doing, says user imitzFinn on Reddit.

Of course, not all of them are complaining about Microsoft’s move, with some gamers understanding the need for change and support Microsoft.

As the gaming community reacts, it’s important to consider the broader implications of this decision. With competition from platforms like PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online, Microsoft is in a constant battle to provide value and retain subscribers. The price hike might be strategic, but it also carries the risk of alienating some of its most loyal users.

Whether this strategy pays off remains to be seen. As always, gamers will adapt, but companies need to remember that loyalty comes at a price, and sometimes that price can be more than just dollars and cents. We’ve learned about this story from Notebook Check.