What Xbox’s Game Pass Changes Mean for the Service’s Future

Microsoft is raising the price of Xbox Game Pass…again. Join Kaitlyn and Sam as they discuss Microsoft’s decision to hike Xbox Game Pass prices, the changes in tier options, and what Microsoft’s long-term strategy may be.

Then, in the show’s new “Read of the Week” segment, Sam and Kaitlyn discuss Polygon’s Spicy Take Week story about Roger Ebert’s famous quote that “Video games can never be art” and whether or not video games should be deemed art. They may even share their own spicy takes.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 – Intro
00:00:34 – Summer So Far Recap
00:09:07 – Xbox Game Pass Changes
00:27:29 – Can Game Pass Compete with Apple Arcade
00:38:54 – Xbox and Amazon Fire TV
00:43:30 – Read of the Week Segment (Polygon's Spicy Takes Week)
00:56:26 – Kaitlyn’s Spicy Gaming Take
01:00:15 – Sam’s Spicy Gaming Take
01:04:34 – Outro

Stories discussed:
The Verge – Microsoft is hiking the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and launching a new ‘Standard’ tier
IGN – Xbox Game Pass Price Hikes Were ‘Inevitable’, Analysts Say
GamesIndustry.biz – Price hike shows Xbox is determined to make Game Pass work | Opinion
Polygon – Roger Ebert saying video games are not art is still haunting games
Polygon – Watching a video game is basically playing it

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at [email protected]. Follow Kaitlyn and Sam on social media @KaitlynRedWing and @SamScotMosher respectively.