Microsoft Xbox Game Pass adds free game Solarpunk as subscriber numbers fall after price hike
On June 8, Microsoft added the open‑world survival‑craft title Solarpunk to Xbox Game Pass at no extra charge for subscribers on all supported platforms, including Xbox Series consoles and PC. The game emphasizes eco‑friendly resource management, allowing players to tend livestock for truffles, harvest solar and wind energy, and explore floating islands with an airship.
Earlier, in October 2023 Microsoft raised the price of its Game Pass Ultimate tier by 50 % to $29.99, a move that analysts say caused a 20 % drop in the service’s subscriber base, reducing the estimated 35‑38 million worldwide users by several million. New head of Microsoft Gaming Asha Sharma has responded by cutting prices again and shifting focus toward gaming hardware and exclusive franchises.
The dual developments highlight both new content offerings and ongoing challenges for Microsoft’s flagship gaming subscription service.