Microsoft say it’s “misleading” for the FTC to call the Game Pass experience “degraded” now it costs more

Microsoft has responded to the US Federal Trade Commission’s claim that the tech giant is now offering a “degraded” Game Pass experience, which the FTC warned could potentially harm consumers following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

However, Microsoft disputes the FTC’s assertion, calling it “a misleading, extra-record account of the facts”.

In a recent announcement, Microsoft revealed that the price of PC Game Pass has increased from $9.99, €9.99, or £7.99 per month to $11.99, €11.99, and £9.99. They have also introduced a new ‘Standard tier’ for Xbox Game Pass for console players, which is cheaper but does not include day-one access to new games. This change is what the FTC is referring to as a degraded experience.

“It is inaccurate to label this as a ‘degraded’ version of the discontinued Game Pass for Console offering,” states Microsoft’s response letter, as reported by The Verge’s Tom Warren. “The discontinued product did not include multiplayer functionality, which had to be purchased separately for an additional $9.99/month (totaling $20.98/month). While Game Pass Ultimate’s price is increasing from $16.99 to $19.99/month, the service will offer more value with many new games available ‘day-and-date,’ including the upcoming release of Call Of Duty, a first for a subscription service.”

Microsoft also argues in their letter that the FTC did not focus on the subscription service in their trial arguments, instead emphasizing the possibility of Call Of Duty being removed from rival platforms, which could harm competition. Microsoft clarifies that Call Of Duty is available to anyone who wants it and points out that PlayStation’s subscription service is thriving despite offering few new games day-and-date.

While I cannot provide a legal opinion on this dispute, personally, I believe that a higher price or a lower price without the day-and-date feature, which is a key aspect of Game Pass, does constitute a degraded consumer experience. The inclusion of multiplayer in the lower tier does not offset this for PC players, as multiplayer access is typically not subscription-based on PC. Therefore, PC Game Pass users are faced with a higher cost for essentially the same service. Disappointing, to say the least.