Long-time Xbox enthusiasts have recently witnessed a shift, with several previously exclusive games now appearing on PlayStation 5. Simultaneously, Microsoft has raised the prices of both Game Pass and Xbox consoles in the United States. This situation has drawn sharp criticism from Laura Fryer, an original member of the Xbox team, who publicly denounces these price increases as a “betrayal” of the trust placed in the brand by gamers.
In a recent video, Fryer argued, “With this latest increase to Game Pass, Xbox threw away one of their last advantages.” She emphasized that Xbox was once celebrated for offering “the best deal in gaming.” According to Fryer, “With these price hikes, it feels like a betrayal, like greed over gaming.” She concluded by stating that this Xbox console generation, even before its end, “is almost certainly going to be remembered first and foremost for Microsoft’s greed.”
Fryer further detailed the series of unfortunate events, including two hardware price increases within this generation, three separate Game Pass price adjustments, more expensive individual game titles, massive company layoffs, and the closure of multiple development studios.
“I believe all of these changes and drama will harm Microsoft’s brand,” Fryer asserted. She speculated that Xbox might be shifting its focus towards cloud gaming and away from traditional hardware. Alternatively, she suggested, it could simply be a case of “incompetence,” indicating a lack of understanding regarding their strategy. Despite her strong criticism, Fryer expressed hope for the future: “They need to rebuild trust with gamers and fans. I know people on the Xbox team that are still there that were there in the early days… They can fix this and I’m rooting for them and wishing them the best.”
Previously, Fryer had indicated her belief that Xbox was moving away from hardware by choosing to outsource the ROG Xbox Ally handheld devices to Asus. However, Xbox VP Jason Ronald earlier this year reaffirmed the company’s commitment to its next generation hardware.
Following the recent Game Pass announcement, Microsoft clarified that the price increases would not take immediate effect for all subscribers. However, the more expensive version of Game Pass is set to lose a popular Call of Duty perk, a move likely to disappoint fans. Additionally, some industry analysts anticipate the future introduction of an ad-supported Game Pass service.
The article also highlights a gallery showcasing ‘The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2025’, providing a visual guide to key titles available on the service.