A user-tailored Game Pass?

A recent report from Fortune magazine, citing sources close to Microsoft’s gaming strategy, reveals that Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is exploring the possibility of moving to an “à la carte” model. Such a model would allow users to pay only for the features they actually use, rather than being tied to pre-determined subscription packages. Services that could be added or removed at will include access to the console’s game library, online multiplayer, cloud gaming, and other premium features.

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. For users who don't need the full suite of services, such flexibility would be a significant advantage. Gamers who prefer to install games locally rather than stream from the cloud could choose a cheaper combination of services, thus reducing monthly costs. On the other hand, critics warn that the fragmentation of the offer could lead to higher costs for the most demanding users. If Microsoft were to start charging separately for features that are currently included in a single package, the total monthly bill could quickly exceed the current price of the Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

That is why the success of any potential renewal will largely depend on the pricing policy. The modular model will be attractive to the general public especially if it actually brings savings and not just a redistribution of existing services into several separate packages. Similar speculation about the possibility of assembling your own subscription packages appeared in the spring in the media outlet Windows Central, where such a development direction was mentioned as Microsoft's long-term goal.