Game Pass price increases while GeForce Now goes down amid partnership
posted Sunday Jul 21, 2024 by Scott Ertz
It's been a strange couple of weeks for videogame streaming. It started with Microsoft announcing a shuffling of the Xbox Game Pass system, including another price increase. Then, Nvidia announced a price decrease (at least temporarily) on GeForce Now, possibly as a tease aimed at Microsoft. But, then a strange announcement that Xbox could launch GeForce Now games from the website, thanks to a new partnership.
Game Pass pricing changes
Xbox Game Pass has been a revolutionary service in the gaming industry, offering a vast library of games for a monthly subscription fee. However, recent changes to the Game Pass pricing and tier levels have sparked discussions among gamers and industry experts alike. Let's delve into the latest adjustments and what they mean for subscribers.
Microsoft has announced a price increase for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, now set at $19.99 per month, marking a $5 increase from the previous rate. This change reflects the company's efforts to add more value to the service by expanding the game library and enhancing user experience.
A significant shift in the Game Pass structure is the introduction of new subscription tiers. The existing Game Pass for Console will be replaced by a new Standard tier, priced at $15 a month, which notably excludes access to Day One releases, EA Play, Game Pass for PC, and cloud gaming. This tier is designed for users who prefer a curated selection of games without the need for immediate access to new titles.
For those seeking the most comprehensive package, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains the premium option. Despite the price hike, it includes all the benefits previously available, such as Day One game releases, access to EA Play, PC Game Pass, and cloud gaming. This tier caters to the most dedicated gamers who want to enjoy the full spectrum of Xbox services.
The restructuring of Game Pass tiers and pricing has raised concerns about consumer impact. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has pointed out that these changes could lead to consumer harm, a topic that has been under scrutiny since Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Game Pass was a major focus of the FTC during the approval process for the acquisition. These changes could cause issues for Microsoft with the FTC - two groups which have historically not been friends.
GeForce Now and Xbox team up
The gaming landscape is continuously evolving, and a significant development in this dynamic field is the extension of the relationship between Xbox and GeForce Now. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment, as it brings together two giants from the gaming hardware and cloud gaming service sectors.
Microsoft's Xbox has integrated Nvidia's GeForce Now into its game pages, allowing gamers to launch supported games on GeForce Now directly through Xbox.com. This integration is a result of a 10-year agreement between Microsoft and Nvidia, aiming to enhance the GeForce Now streaming service with a variety of releases, including popular titles like Forza Horizon, Minecraft, and the much-anticipated Starfield.
The partnership is a strategic move by Microsoft to diversify gaming experiences and provide more flexibility to gamers. It allows users to play their games across different devices, leveraging the cloud gaming technology of GeForce Now. This is particularly beneficial for those who do not own a high-end gaming PC or console, as they can still enjoy high-quality gaming experiences through streaming.
Moreover, this collaboration is a response to the growing demand for accessible gaming options and reflects Microsoft's commitment to bringing Xbox and PC games to GeForce Now, as part of their efforts to navigate the regulatory challenges of their acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The integration is a win-win for both companies and the gaming community. It enhances the value proposition of both Xbox and GeForce Now, providing a more seamless and integrated gaming experience. As the catalog of supported games expands, gamers can look forward to a broader range of titles to enjoy in the cloud.
As a way to celebrate the new relationship, or possibly to tease Microsoft for its own price increase, Nvidia has dropped the price of the service by 50%, for a limited time.
