Update 11/03/2023 18:20 ET: Border reports Xbox chief Phil Spencer has reversed his decision to end free Game Pass Ultimate access for non-Microsoft employees on Xbox. Spencer wrote in an internal memo:
After reviewing this issue further with the team, I would like to confirm that there will be no changes to Game Pass availability in 2024. If you have access to the Game Pass offer today, you will continue to have access. I appreciate the time I took to get up to speed and apologize for the questions and confusion created. Thank you for supporting Xbox.
Original story below.
Working at Microsoft gives you some nice benefits. One of these advantages is that it is free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions are set to expire next year, and staff at the major tech company are reportedly unhappy about it. Employees were so upset that Xbox boss Phil Spencer had to step in and address the situation.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a very good deal that offers gamers a large library of new and old video games that can be played on PC, Xbox and cloud streaming. The service has millions of subscribers thanks to big games like: star field Login to Game Pass on day one. And together Activision games will likely head to a Netflix-like service in the future—After Microsoft’s acquisition Call of Duty publisher — Game Pass will be an even better deal. Unless, of course, you don’t have to pay anything for Game Pass. Really good deal. But it looks like Microsoft’s nice staff advantage will soon be over.
A report dated 2 November Border It claims that Microsoft has eliminated the free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefit for most of its more than 200,000 permanent employees. This privilege will expire in January 2024. Reportedly, Microsoft staff will be able to purchase discounted 12-month Game Pass plans from the company’s employee store. But that’s not good enough for the tech company’s frustrated employees, who learned of the change earlier this week.
Sources tell Border Most Xbox division employees will continue to receive free Game Pass. This benefit is being removed only for non-Xbox employees at Microsoft.
Reportedly, some Microsoft employees began complaining on the company’s internal message forum. The posts eventually prompted Xbox chief Phil Spencer to respond, telling upset employees that he wasn’t aware of the change and that he would further look into the merits of its elimination.
Removing this benefit in 2024 will likely be even more painful considering the situation in July. Game Pass Ultimate price increased from $15 to $17 per month. I hope the affected employees continue to enjoy other great benefits; for example, I dunno… free Office365 subscriptions or fun Clippy t-shirts? New old stock Zunes?
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