Will Xbox Game Pass increase in price if the purchase of Activision Blizzard is finalized?

The purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft remains a hot topic. Much has been said about the possible impact the acquisition would have on the gaming industry if it goes through. Undoubtedly, one of the most common topics of conversation is Xbox Game Pass. What will happen to the service? Will it increase in price with the hypothetical arrival of high-profile games like Diablo IV and Call of Duty?

Currently, the paid service offers 2 subscription types: the basic one for $10 USD per month and the Ultimate version, which costs $15 USD per month. Of course, the price varies by region. Will it be more expensive if the acquisition of Activision Blizzard goes smoothly?

Microsoft denies that Xbox Game Pass will increase in price with the purchase of Activision Blizzard

It's easy to think that membership will become more expensive with the addition of high-profile releases from Activision Blizzard, such as Call of Duty, Diablo, World of Warcraft, etcetera. However, Microsoft expressed in a new legal filing its plans to maintain current fees, even if the purchase is completed.

"Here, the acquisition would benefit consumers by making Call of Duty available on Microsoft's Game Pass on the day it launches on the console (without a related service price increase) on Nintendo and any other cloud gaming service," reads page 25 of the document.

With this in mind, it appears that Microsoft intends to maintain the current price of the paid service, at least for the time being. In March 2023, Microsoft presented the same narrative to regulators. This seems like a logical move, as the introduction of games like Call of Duty and Diablo could significantly boost the number of subscribers.

However, Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, suggested a few months ago that Xbox Game Pass could increase in price soon. "I think at some point we'll have to raise the price of some things," he said. On the other hand, a recent hint indicates that an increase is possible in this country.

But tell us, what do you think about this situation? Do you think the service will be more expensive if the purchase of Activision Blizzard goes smoothly? Let us know in the comments.

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