It has been a busy few weeks for Microsoft. First, the cost of the Xbox Series consoles skyrockets, then Game Pass undergoes an overhaul that leads to a massive price hike, and then the firm’s leadership comes out in stalwart defence of those decisions that are being lambasted across social media.
Now, former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, who sat through the FTC vs. Microsoft tumult during the Activision acquisition, has taken to social media to slam Microsoft’s latest price hikes.
They’re Not Worried About The Consequences
Lina Khan was a pivotal, driving force for the FTC when the organization went head-to-head with Microsoft during the Activision acquisition that resulted in the tech titan buying the gaming icon for a whopping $69 billion. The FTC opposed the transaction at several stops, trying endlessly to avoid the monopolization of gaming houses.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lina Khan voiced her concerns about the recent price hikes that have reshaped Game Pass Ultimate and given it a new tag of $29.99 per month.
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision has been followed by significant price hikes and layoffs, harming both gamers and developers.
As we’ve seen across sectors, increasing market consolidation and increasing prices often go hand-in-hand.
As dominant firms become too-big-to-care, they can make things worse for their customers without having to worry about the consequences.
This message was posted in response to another comment stating that ‘Lina Khan was right again’, talking about the former claims from Microsoft suggesting that Game Pass subscription costs wouldn’t increase ‘because of the merger’.
This isn’t the first time that the cost of Game Pass has increased, but it’s a monumental change that has led to a public outcry and many thousands of gamers cancelling or downgrading their subscriptions. However, Khan suggests that, as a result of Microsoft’s size and foothold, the boycott won’t have too much of an impact on the titan.
It was recently revealed that Call of Duty sales lost because of Microsoft listing the series on Game Pass have cost the company a staggering $300 million. One of the leading theories is now tied to Microsoft attempting to recoup losses by cranking up the price of that same subscription service.
Do you think we should be concerned about Microsoft not caring too much about the risks associated with price hikes? Let me know what you’re thinking on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
It doesn’t hurt gamers because gamers were not using game pass and it’s not like only Xbox game prices went up. She does not know what she’s talking about and now wants to be pushed higher into politics that was why she threw her tirade all those years ago. One thing does not have to do with the other she doesn’t know what she’s talking about but idiots want to pretend she makes sense. You idiots ruined gaming.
Attention seeker she doesn’t know anything about gaming this did not harm gamers she just wants attention to secure a bigger political position