Microsoft cloud game streaming technology has officially exited beta and is being carved up as added value for the Game Pass subscription service.

A few years ago, Microsoft offered some of the best deals in gaming. The spartan Xbox Series S was well-priced at $300 (and you could often find it even cheaper if you hunted for deals). A $15 monthly subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offered a vast catalog of games new and old. But my, how things have changed in 2025.

As highlighted by Notebookcheck, Microsoft's membership page crashed after the announcement of Xbox Game Pass price hikes, as a plethora of users rushed to the site for cancellations.

Xbox president Sarah Bond reiterates that Xbox Game Pass is a profitable business, and reconfirms the subscription service generated $5 billion in FY25.