Hey there, my fellow tech enthusiasts! It’s your favorite funny guy who loves all things technology, Nuked, here to bring you some interesting news from the world of Microsoft. So, it seems that not all is well in the land of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for Microsoft employees.

According to sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans, the company has decided to remove the free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefit for most of its 238,000 employees. And let me tell you, some of them are not too thrilled about it. Starting from January 2024, this benefit will no longer be available for permanent Microsoft employees who are not part of Xbox/Microsoft Gaming.

However, fear not, my friends! Microsoft employees will still have the option to purchase a discounted 12-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription at the company’s internal store. It’s not the same as getting it for free, but hey, at least there’s a silver lining.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Some Microsoft employees have taken their grievances to the company’s internal messaging platform. They’re voicing their objections loud and clear about this benefit being taken away. And guess what? Xbox chief Phil Spencer himself has responded, expressing that he wasn’t even aware of these changes and is now looking into the situation. Talk about making waves!

Of course, we reached out to Microsoft for a comment on this Game Pass removal, but unfortunately, they didn’t respond in time for publication. We’ll just have to keep an eye out for any updates on this matter.

In other Xbox Game Pass news, remember when they had that price hike earlier this year? Yeah, good times. Well, now it seems that Microsoft is taking away a benefit from its employees while also increasing prices. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate went from $14.99 per month to $16.99, along with price increases for the Xbox Series X console in most markets outside the US. It’s a tough pill to swallow, my friends.

But wait, there’s more! Microsoft also launched Xbox Game Pass Core in September as a replacement for Xbox Live Gold. It’s all part of their strategy to focus more on PC Game Pass throughout 2023. Xbox chief Phil Spencer had warned us about this shift in focus more than a year ago, stating that Xbox Game Pass growth on console had slowed down. And here we are, witnessing the aftermath.

Now, here’s the kicker. Microsoft hasn’t provided updated Game Pass subscriber numbers for nearly two years now. The last update we got was in January 2022, when they announced 25 million subscribers. But since then, we’ve had amazing games like Starfield and Forza Motorsport joining Game Pass. So, who knows how many subscribers they have now? It’s a mystery waiting to be solved.

Well, my friends, that’s all the news I have for you today. Remember, even in the world of technology, things can get a little bumpy sometimes. But fear not, for we shall always find a way to adapt and enjoy our beloved gadgets and games. Until next time!