Microsoft Quietly Eliminates One More Game Pass Perk
Players are currently reacting to the latest Xbox Game Pass cost hike, but Microsoft has more changes in store. Once members observed that the usual subscription discounts on many store purchases appeared to be missing, Microsoft announced that savings on games, DLC, and virtual coins have ceased to be a subscription benefit.
What Was Altered with the Subscription Discounts?
“The change applies across all games and DLC, not just specific titles. In place of direct discounts, Ultimate and Premium members will now get 10% and 5% back in points for buying certain games and add-ons from the Game Pass collection,” Microsoft stated in a official comment. “Ultimate members continue to have 20% discount on select games from the Game Pass library. On top of that, all Rewards members will earn points when shopping games and add-ons on the Store, while Premium and Ultimate subscribers will earn even more, 2x and 4x respectively.”
So, for example, when purchasing COD Points, Call of Duty players will get Reward Points, but no discount on the COD Points themselves.
A Catch with Loyalty Points
However, there’s another limitation: It appears that players can no longer save up reward points to exchange for a few months of free Game Pass, but it looks like Reward Points can no longer be used for that.
Player Reaction and Subscription Cancellations
Between the recent Game Pass restructuring, the increase for each the service and Xbox consoles, and the elimination of the Game Pass subscriber discount, Game Pass users are angry, and are ending their memberships in large numbers. Shortly after the Game Pass price increase was revealed, the portal where subscribers can end their membership briefly went down from the surge in visits it received in the aftermath of the news.
- Latest subscription updates include a higher cost and removed discounts.
- Ultimate and Premium members now earn points instead of discounts.
- Loyalty points are no longer able to be exchanged for complimentary subscription periods.
- Many gamers are ending their memberships in response.
