Trending Now - Xbox Chief Acknowledges Game Pass Pricing Concerns in Memo

WHO:

Engadget - Asha Sharma is the new Xbox CEO.

Techmeme - Asha Sharma is identified as Microsoft's gaming chief.

WHAT:

Engadget - Asha Sharma stated in the memo that "Game Pass is central to gaming value on Xbox" and acknowledged that "the current model isn’t the final one."

Techmeme - Asha Sharma mentioned that Microsoft is getting ready to address Game Pass pricing concerns.

The Verge - Jez Corden from Windows Central hinted that Microsoft might consider removing Call of Duty from Game Pass in 2026, stating, "If they take Call of Duty out of Game Pass this year, which is a possibility from what I’ve heard, I think it will kind of reveal some of the cracks in the strategy, possibly."

Screen Rant - A price decrease for Xbox Game Pass has been widely speculated in recent weeks, with fans divided on the potential changes.

TechRadar - Asha Sharma admitted in a leaked memo that the company's Game Pass subscription service has become "too expensive" for players.

Engadget - Asha Sharma stated in a leaked memo that "Game Pass is central to gaming value on Xbox" and acknowledged that "the current model isn’t the final one."

Techmeme - Asha Sharma referenced the "online chatter" about rumors of Microsoft changing Game Pass pricing.

The Verge - Asha Sharma indicated that she will "go deeper" with Xbox employees regarding Game Pass pricing concerns in a meeting scheduled for the week of April 17th, 2026.

The Verge - Asha Sharma stated that she will "go deeper" with Xbox employees regarding Game Pass pricing concerns in a meeting scheduled for the following week.

Engadget - Asha Sharma stated in the memo that "Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation."

The Verge - Asha Sharma indicated that Microsoft plans to evolve Game Pass into "a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around."

The Verge - Asha Sharma stated in the memo that "Game Pass is central to gaming value on Xbox" and acknowledged that "the current model isn’t the final one."

The Verge - Microsoft increased the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $29.99 per month in 2025, marking a 50 percent hike.

The Verge - Microsoft added Call of Duty to Game Pass in the summer of 2024, which contributed to the price increase concerns.

The Verge - Jez Corden from Windows Central hinted that Microsoft might consider removing Call of Duty from Game Pass in 2026.

Engadget - Asha Sharma wrote a memo stating that "Game Pass has become too expensive for players."

Engadget - Sharma mentioned that Microsoft needs "a better value equation" for Game Pass.

Engadget - Microsoft has increased the price of Game Pass twice within 15 months.

Engadget - The April update for Game Pass is adding titles such as Hades 2 and a new project from Double Fine, alongside the remake of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

WHERE:

Engadget - The context is related to Xbox, a gaming division of Microsoft.

WHEN:

The Verge - Asha Sharma indicated that she will "go deeper" with Xbox employees regarding Game Pass pricing concerns in a meeting scheduled for the week of April 17th, 2026.

Engadget - The memo was written in 2026, shortly after Asha Sharma took charge as Xbox CEO.

WHY:

Engadget - The price increases for Game Pass may have been influenced by the addition of the Call of Duty franchise, as Microsoft would lose revenue by including new entries in the subscription service.

HOW:

The Verge - Asha Sharma will address Game Pass pricing concerns with Xbox employees in a meeting scheduled for the following week.

The Verge - Asha Sharma plans to address Game Pass pricing issues with Xbox employees in a meeting scheduled for the following week.

Engadget - Asha Sharma indicated that Microsoft plans to evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system, which will require time to test and learn.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 19:21 UTC)

Asha Sharma has emphasized that Game Pass is essential to the gaming value on Xbox, while also acknowledging that the current pricing model isn't set in stone. Microsoft is preparing to tackle concerns regarding Game Pass pricing, with Sharma planning to discuss these issues more thoroughly with Xbox employees in a meeting scheduled for the week of April 17th. Additionally, there are hints that Microsoft may consider removing Call of Duty from Game Pass this year, which could expose potential flaws in their strategy.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 17:21 UTC)

A price decrease for Xbox Game Pass has been widely speculated, with fans expressing mixed feelings about the potential changes. In a leaked memo, Asha Sharma acknowledged that the Game Pass subscription service has become "too expensive" for players. This admission has fueled further discussions among the gaming community regarding the future of the service.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 13:22 UTC)

Asha Sharma has revealed in a leaked memo that "Game Pass is central to gaming value on Xbox," while also noting that the current pricing model is not set in stone. She addressed the "online chatter" surrounding rumors of potential changes to Game Pass pricing and plans to discuss these concerns further with Xbox employees in a meeting scheduled for the week of April 17th. This development highlights ongoing discussions within Microsoft about the future of their gaming subscription service.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 04:01 UTC)

Asha Sharma announced that she will "go deeper" with Xbox employees about Game Pass pricing concerns in a meeting set for next week. Meanwhile, Jez Corden from Windows Central suggested that Microsoft might contemplate removing Call of Duty from Game Pass this year, hinting that such a move could expose weaknesses in their strategy. Both developments were reported by The Verge at 21:15 UTC.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 01:22 UTC)

Asha Sharma has acknowledged in a memo that Game Pass has become too expensive for players, emphasizing the need for a better value equation. She also mentioned that Microsoft plans to evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system, which will require time to test and learn. To address these pricing concerns, Sharma will meet with Xbox employees next week.

(UPDATED April 13, 2026 23:13 UTC)

Microsoft's Asha Sharma has emphasized that Game Pass is essential to the gaming value on Xbox, while also noting that the current pricing model isn't set in stone. The price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate was raised to $29.99 per month in 2025, reflecting a significant increase of 50 percent, which has sparked concerns, especially after the addition of Call of Duty to the service in the summer of 2024. To address these pricing issues, Sharma is set to meet with Xbox employees next week.

(UPDATED April 13, 2026 21:15 UTC)

Asha Sharma has been appointed as the new CEO of Xbox, taking charge as Microsoft's gaming chief. In a memo she wrote shortly after assuming her role, Sharma expressed concerns that Game Pass has become too expensive for players and emphasized the need for a better value equation, especially following two price increases in just 15 months. The April update for Game Pass will introduce new titles, including Hades 2 and a remake of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, as Sharma aims to evolve the service into a more flexible system that will take time to develop.