Xbox Game Pass Standard is a degraded product, says FTC in a new document

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass is a popular service among gamers who enjoy unlimited game access for a fixed monthly charge. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has shown interest in Microsoft’s recent changes to its Game Pass subscriptions. If you remember, Microsoft changed its subscription service this month, which worried many users.

The prices of the PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate have increased since they stopped offering the Xbox Game Pass Console plan to new subscribers. The gaming community is now discussing these changes made by Microsoft with increased attention from FTC.

Microsoft is also preparing to unveil a new tier called the Xbox Game Pass Standard. It will provide online play and allow entry into hundreds of games, excluding the Day One title. These titles are now set to be only accessible via PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions.

The FTC’s concern comes after Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard in October 2023. The regulatory body states that removing high-quality games from Microsoft’s new service and increasing prices for current users is a big disadvantage for consumers—something directly caused by this merger, which the FTC had earlier opposed. It calls the new Xbox Game Pass Standard a degraded product.

Microsoft’s plan seems like a two-sided sword. It wants to simplify its services and attract more people with the Xbox Game Pass Standard. However, this effort could upset some of its current users, who might not be happy about losing Day One releases and experiencing changes in pricing structure. The involvement of the FTC and continuous legal activities might help reveal more about what these changes mean for people who use games and the bigger gaming business.

Now, the gaming world is closely observing what decisions will be made about this disagreement. This might create a pattern for how large companies manage mergers and alter their services. The equilibrium between growing an attraction to service and keeping the faith and happiness of current clients is very delicate.

Microsoft’s recent actions have certainly challenged this equilibrium. We still don’t know whether these alterations will be good or bad for the Xbox Game Pass service, but one fact remains clear: the gaming community pays much attention to it now.