The FTC blasted the Xbox Game Price increases in a new filing, describing the new Standard tier as "product degradation" and claiming that the increases are inconsistent with its arguments from last year's trial.
“Product Degradation” has been the modus operandi for nearly every online service for like 10-15 years now, but it’s the Gamepass price increase is what got the FTC’s attention? Where was the FTC when the movie/TV streaming service market balkanized itself in an arms race to reinvent cable?
Granted, I doubt the FTC could really do anything meaningful to stop enshittification given that corporations are effectively above the law these days, but it’s been blatantly obvious that this was going to be Gamepass’ strategy from day one. If this actually surprised anyone at the FTC, they really haven’t been paying attention.
The FTC is specifically pissed that Microsoft was allowed to acquire Activision and then this price increase happened. It flies in the face of all the shit MS said wouldn’t happen to get the merger approved.
but it’s the Gamepass price increase is what got the FTC’s attention? Where was the FTC when the movie/TV streaming service market balkanized itself in an arms race to reinvent cable?
maybe we finally have some people in the FTC that are affected by this, finally someone my age in office making moves I approve of! lol
The FCT cares because this comes in the follow up of a merger they tried to stop by claiming, among other things, Microsoft would do exactly this. Back then the court disagreed, so they are going to try to rub the court’s nose on the shit it did.
“Product Degradation” has been the modus operandi for nearly every online service for like 10-15 years now, but it’s the Gamepass price increase is what got the FTC’s attention? Where was the FTC when the movie/TV streaming service market balkanized itself in an arms race to reinvent cable?
Granted, I doubt the FTC could really do anything meaningful to stop enshittification given that corporations are effectively above the law these days, but it’s been blatantly obvious that this was going to be Gamepass’ strategy from day one. If this actually surprised anyone at the FTC, they really haven’t been paying attention.
The FTC is specifically pissed that Microsoft was allowed to acquire Activision and then this price increase happened. It flies in the face of all the shit MS said wouldn’t happen to get the merger approved.
I hope there is a consequence.
maybe we finally have some people in the FTC that are affected by this, finally someone my age in office making moves I approve of! lol
The FCT cares because this comes in the follow up of a merger they tried to stop by claiming, among other things, Microsoft would do exactly this. Back then the court disagreed, so they are going to try to rub the court’s nose on the shit it did.