Check your Xbox DMs: a lucky few will receive a gift from Microsoft
Microsoft may be doing something nice for users in response to backlash over the Xbox Game Pass subscription increase.
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Microsoft may be doing something nice for users in response to backlash over the Xbox Game Pass subscription increase.
After a recent price hike on its gaming consoles and Game Pass subscriptions, Microsoft seems to have decided to surprise some of its consumers.
Some Xbox users have shared that the company gave them free gift cards.
The gift coupons have been received by users who use the console, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
A number of Xbox users said they received a message from the company stating that they received a gift coupon.
One user shared that they received a $10 gift card from the company with the following message:
“We're thrilled you enjoy the world of legendary games, unforgettable adventures, and endless entertainment. As a gift, here's an Xbox Gift Card on us! Use it to grab something cool from the Xbox Store and continue your journey. Game on!”
However, not all users have received the coupon, so it’s unclear how the company decides who the lucky recipients are, notes Pure Xbox.
“Interesting. Was there a reason they sent you this?” asked one Redditor.
“Rip, nothing in offers for me,” added another user.
“I got one when I bought my Series X,” wrote one netizen.
Lucky Xbox users can use the gift coupon until December 31st, 2025.
Free gift cards to ease consumer frustration over subscription price hike?
This autumn, Microsoft announced changes to its Xbox subscription prices, increasing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $20 to $30 per month. The price increase caused fury among its consumers.
However, despite the online backlash from Xbox users, most didn’t cancel their subscriptions. Such a decision could have been made after doing some quick math, which revealed that keeping the subscription is still cheaper than buying separate games.
Considering that the reported gift card sum is $10, the same amount by which the subscription was increased, it is possible that the company used it as a way to “refund” its users and improve its prestige among them.
Following the Xbox subscription increase, it has been reported that the company may not release physical Xbox gaming consoles, instead opting for cloud gaming, which would be accessible through its Game Pass subscription.
Cybernews has reached out to the company for comment and will update with a response.
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