On the agenda…

Microsoft has placed a lot of emphasis on its video game subscription service Xbox Game Pass as a route to growth in a category dominated by Sony and Nintendo.

Game Pass – which grants users access to a library of titles for a monthly fee – has been the cornerstone of every marketing effort Xbox has run for several years. Billed as an affordable way to play the latest releases, Game Pass has attracted 37 million subscribers and Microsoft claims the service turns a profit.

This is about to be tested, however, as Microsoft announced a raft of changes – and a sharp price rise – for the service last week (1 October). One that has been met with dismay and anger from many of its customers.