Microsoft Xbox Chief Asha Sharma Calls for Game Pass Evolution in Internal Memo

# Microsoft's Xbox Chief Addresses Game Pass Pricing in Internal Memo Asha Sharma, Microsoft's new Xbox chief, stated in an internal memo to Xbox employees that Game Pass has become too expensive for players. The memo, obtained by The Verge, calls for a better value equation. Sharma emphasized that Game Pass is central to gaming value on Xbox.

Sharma wrote that the current model isn’t the final one. Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation, she stated. Long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around.

Background on Game Pass Price Changes Microsoft hiked the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $29.

99 per month last year, according to The Verge. This price hike represented a 50 percent increase. The adjustment followed the addition of Call of Duty to Game Pass in the summer of 2024.

Comments from Industry Observer Jez Corden stated on the XB2+1 podcast over the weekend that If they take Call of Duty out of Game Pass this year, which is a possibility from what I’ve heard, I think it will kind of reveal some of the cracks in the strategy, possibly.

Corden's remarks address potential changes to the service's content lineup.

Role of Game Pass in Xbox Strategy Sharma's memo underscores Game Pass's position as central to gaming value on Xbox.

The service's evolution is planned to address current pricing challenges. Microsoft has integrated major titles like Call of Duty to bolster the offering.