One of the big concerns for gamers about Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard is a possible Game Pass price increase, something the company has nipped in the bud.
One of the great soap operas in the video game sector in recent times is Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard, which is still not closed, with a new block by the FTC. However, those from Redmond seem quite confident in being able to close the transaction in the coming weeks, so certain rules are already beginning to be established for that to happen. And, for this, they have clarified some key points, such as a possible Xbox Game Pass price hike.
And it is that the inclusion of games like Call of Duty in the service since the day of its launch it has generated many doubts about it and PlayStation has been very critical in this matter, although everything could be a pantomime, as it has been discovered in a private conversation of Jim Ryan. However, Microsoft clarifies that no price increase planned in the subscription service as a result of the purchase of Activision Blizzard, so players should not be concerned in this regard.
Microsoft’s defense against the FTC block denies a Game Pass price hike
In order to certify this information, one must resort to the document presented by Microsoft to defend itself against the FTC’s blockade regarding the purchase of Activision Blizzard. On page 25 of it, it is stated that “ultimately, the FTC ignores critical variables in economic analysis by ignoring the new options that the merger will create to play Activision content. Here, the acquisition would benefit consumers by making Call of Duty available on Microsoft’s Game Pass the day it launches on console (no price increase for acquisition-based service), on Nintendo and other services that enable cloud streaming.”
Therefore, it seems quite clear that Xbox Game Pass will not increase its price, whatever finally happens with the case of Activision Blizzard, which should join the Xbox Games Studios portfolio in the coming monthsif there is no shock that again prevents the transaction from taking place.