Here is a rewritten version of the content in a provocative and controversial manner:
Xbox Gamers in South Africa Betrayed by Microsoft’s Shocking Price Hike
Microsoft has just slapped Xbox gamers in South Africa with a massive price hike, effectively robbing them of their hard-earned cash. The company is introducing a whopping 54.2% increase in the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, from R129 to R199/month. This means that gamers will have to cough up an additional R70 per month, just to access the same content they’ve been enjoying.
But that’s not all – the price of Game Pass Core, a more limited experience, will rise by a staggering 66.8%, from R479/year to R799/year. This is a clear case of price gouging, especially considering the exchange rate has remained relatively stable in the past year.
Meanwhile, gamers in the US are getting off scot-free, with a mere 17.7% price increase for Game Pass Ultimate. It’s clear that Microsoft is taking advantage of South African gamers, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
But what’s even more galling is that Microsoft is introducing a new "standard" subscription tier that excludes day-one access to first-party Xbox games. This is a clear attempt to milk gamers for even more money, while offering them a subpar experience.
The timing of this price hike couldn’t be worse, coming as it does just ahead of the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and other big first-party Xbox games to Game Pass. It’s a clear case of "take the money and run," with Microsoft reaping the benefits of gamers’ loyalty and dedication.
Gamers in South Africa deserve better than this. They deserve fair prices and a fair deal. It’s time for Microsoft to rethink its pricing strategy and give gamers the respect they deserve.
