Xbox Game Pass price hikes have stirred up plenty of frustration, but not everyone is ready to walk away. David Jaffe, the game designer known for creating God of War and helping shape Twisted Metal, says the service still makes financial sense for the way he plays—even at the new top-tier rate.
In a recent video, Jaffe breaks down his library and the titles he plans to try over the next year. With Game Pass Ultimate now at $29.99 a month, the annual cost lands at $360. His math suggests he would spend nearly double that to buy the same mix of games outright. For someone who samples a lot of releases and rarely replays them, the rotating catalog and day-one access provide better value than owning individual titles.
That position isn’t winning everyone over. Many viewers argue Jaffe isn’t representative of the average subscriber. As a creator who tries many games without necessarily finishing them, he’s more likely to extract value from a large library. Others point out that higher income can make recurring costs easier to absorb, while a typical player may only complete a handful of new games each year—making the monthly fee harder to justify.
There’s also the ongoing debate about ownership and preservation. Digital libraries change, and Microsoft can remove games with limited notice. For players who want permanent access and like to revisit favorites, buying select titles might feel safer. Jaffe counters that he doesn’t need discs or a growing digital backlog if he rarely revisits games, so the subscription’s flexibility outweighs the downside.
It’s not just subscriptions under the microscope. Recent price increases on both Xbox hardware and services have prompted some long-time fans to rethink their setup or look at alternatives. That said, Sony has also raised prices, including for PlayStation Plus. The most expensive PS Plus tier now costs $160 per year, and critics note that its catalog features fewer big-budget releases than its rival’s top tier.
Who is Game Pass Ultimate still good for?
– Players who sample lots of games, including day-one releases
– Gamers who don’t mind a rotating catalog and rarely replay titles
– Streamers and content creators who value breadth over ownership
– Households sharing multiple consoles or screens
Who might be better off buying games individually or choosing a lower tier?
– Players who only finish a few games a year
– Fans who want to build a permanent library and revisit favorites
– Anyone sensitive to recurring subscription costs
The bottom line: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at $29.99 per month can still be a strong value if you regularly explore new releases and don’t need to own every title. For players with limited gaming time or a preference for permanent libraries, carefully picking a few must-have purchases—or opting for a cheaper plan—may stretch the budget further. As both major platforms continue to adjust prices, the smartest move is to match your spending to your habits rather than loyalty to a logo.
