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Former FTC chair Lina Khan criticized Microsoft's post-acquisition actions following its 2023 Activision Blizzard purchase, pointing to massive layoffs (over 11,000 employees), studio closures, game cancellations, and multiple Game Pass price increases as evidence the merger harmed both gamers and developers. Khan's comments vindicate the FTC's original concerns that the acquisition would reduce competition and lead to worse outcomes for consumers, despite Microsoft's promises that the deal would benefit the industry.

As Microsoft lays off thousands and jacks up Game Pass prices, former FTC chair says I told you so: The Activision-Blizzard buyout is 'harming both gamers and developers'

Game Pass prices are insane, and the catalog isn’t that good either.

I tried several times in the past to apply for a job within Microsoft’s Xbox division. Never ever even had a chance for an interview, not even when they were supposed to have recruitment walk-in campaigns at GDC years ago (the recruiter kept playing with Kinect and told me to go apply online…)
Maybe it was for the best.

Dropped game pass as soon as the increase was announced. I enjoyed the games it had to offer, but at the cost of a $299.00 + Tax console a year sorry just can’t justify it and that is the reason why they increased the price of their consoles can’t have the price of a sub a year cost more than a console itself, so you jack up the price, That’s total speculation, but it feels greedy enough.

Guess the ‘win-win for everyone’ pitch really meant ‘we win twice’.