Xbox Game Pass is set to become more affordable in Norway, according to recent reports. The subscription service’s Ultimate tier will be reduced to 209 Norwegian kroner per month, though this change comes with the removal of new Call of Duty titles from the day-one release lineup.
This development follows internal acknowledgments from Xbox leadership that the service has become too expensive for players. Asha Sharma, who took over as Xbox head earlier this year, stated in an internal memo obtained by The Verge that the current pricing model is not sustainable and that changes are needed to provide better value.
Sharma emphasized that although Game Pass remains central to Xbox’s gaming value proposition, the recent price increases—particularly after the inclusion of Call of Duty in the subscription—have made it less accessible. She indicated that the company is exploring options to lower costs, including potentially removing Call of Duty from the service again, to improve affordability for subscribers.
The shift toward a more flexible and value-driven model reflects Microsoft’s broader strategy to adapt Game Pass based on user feedback and market conditions. Sharma noted that long-term plans involve evolving the service into a more adaptable system, though such changes will require time for testing and refinement.
For Norwegian subscribers, the immediate impact is a lower monthly fee, albeit with a trade-off in day-one access to major new releases like Call of Duty. The adjustment aims to balance cost concerns with the service’s core offering of a diverse game library.
Xbox Game Pass is set to become more affordable in Norway, according to recent reports. The subscription service’s Ultimate tier will be reduced to 209 Norwegian kroner per month, though this change comes with the removal of new Call of Duty titles from the day-one release lineup.
This development follows internal acknowledgments from Xbox leadership that the service has become too expensive for players. Asha Sharma, who took over as Xbox head earlier this year, stated in an internal memo obtained by The Verge that the current pricing model is not sustainable and that changes are needed to provide better value.
Sharma emphasized that while Game Pass remains central to Xbox’s gaming value proposition, the recent price increases—particularly after the inclusion of Call of Duty in the subscription—have made it less accessible. She indicated that the company is exploring options to lower costs, including potentially removing Call of Duty from the service again, to improve affordability for subscribers.
The shift toward a more flexible and value-driven model reflects Microsoft’s broader strategy to adapt Game Pass based on user feedback and market conditions. Sharma noted that long-term plans involve evolving the service into a more adaptable system, though such changes will require time for testing and refinement.
For Norwegian subscribers, the immediate impact is a lower monthly fee, albeit with a trade-off in day-one access to major new releases like Call of Duty. The adjustment aims to balance cost concerns with the service’s core offering of a diverse game library.
