Xbox Game Pass Faces Backlash After Surprise Day-One Title Price Hike

Microsoft is under fire from gamers this week after it quietly raised the price of a highly anticipated day-one release on Xbox Game Pass, sparking debate over the value of the subscription service moving forward.

The controversy began when “Starhaven: Eclipse,” a major sci-fi RPG slated for a May 2024 launch, was announced as a day-one Game Pass title late last year—one of the biggest gets yet for the service. But fans were blindsided this morning when the game’s store listing revealed a hefty $79.99 price tag for standard edition purchases, prompting fears that Game Pass subscribers may not be getting the full version on launch.

While the game remains accessible via Game Pass on day one, early reports indicate that premium features, including exclusive gear, a bonus story chapter, and early access privileges, are locked behind a $99.99 “Ultimate Edition,” not included in the base Game Pass offering. The move marks a subtle shift in Microsoft’s strategy—leaning toward premium upselling, even for titles touted as Game Pass highlights.

The change hasn’t gone unnoticed. On social media and gaming forums, longtime subscribers vented frustrations, with many accusing Microsoft of blurring the lines between inclusive access and tiered content. “What’s the point of ‘day one’ if it’s a Second Class Edition?” one Reddit comment read, receiving thousands of upvotes within hours.

Xbox has not issued an official statement, but internal sources suggest this may be the start of a new content model where Game Pass provides the core experience, while deluxe content sits behind a paywall. With Xbox Game Pass already undergoing a price hike earlier this year, the optics of nickel-and-diming players for full access have fueled growing concerns about diminishing value in the subscription model.

As the industry continues evolving toward service-based ecosystems, Microsoft’s latest move could set a worrying precedent. For many, Game Pass has been gaming’s greatest value—until now. Whether this is a one-off misfire or the start of a broader change remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: players are paying close attention.