Microsoft Delays Access to New Titles for Xbox Game Pass Core and Standard Tiers

Microsoft Corporation MSFT, a leading American multinational technology company, has announced a significant policy update that will impact gamers subscribed to Xbox Game Pass. Effective immediately, subscribers who have opted for Core and Standard tier levels may experience a prolonged wait, potentially up to a year or more, before they can access newly released first-party games. This marks a departure from the previous arrangement where such titles were available on the service from the day of release.

Impact on the Gaming Subscription Model

Xbox Game Pass, a subscription service known for providing a wide library of games for a monthly fee, has enjoyed popularity as it granted immediate access to Microsoft's latest first-party releases. However, this change potentially alters the value proposition for users who are now forced to reconsider the benefits of their membership tiers.

Electronic Arts Inc. Maintains Its Stance

Amid this development, Electronic Arts Inc. EA, the second-largest gaming company in the Americas and Europe by revenue as of May 2020, maintains its release strategy for its titles across different platforms.

Microsoft, Xbox, Gaming