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Heads Up, Malaysian Gamers: Xbox Game Pass Price Increase Announced

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Hold onto your controllers, Malaysian gamers! Microsoft has recently announced a price increase for the PC version of Xbox Game Pass in Malaysia. This news comes just a few months after the service launched locally in 2022, offering a “Netflix for games” experience at a competitive price point.

PC Game Pass Xbox

Previously, the monthly subscription fee for Xbox PC Game Pass stood at RM15. This budget-friendly price point was a major selling factor for Malaysian gamers, especially compared to individual game purchases. However, starting from July 10th, 2024, new subscribers will be charged a revised price of RM20 per month. Existing subscribers will see the price hike reflected in their subscriptions starting from September 12th, 2024. This increase seems to be affecting markets worldwide.

Unfortunately, Microsoft hasn’t provided any official reasons for the price increase specific to the Malaysian market. However, on a global scale, Xbox has been steadily adding high-profile titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to its Game Pass library, potentially contributing to rising content acquisition costs.

Despite the price bump, Xbox Game Pass still offers a compelling value proposition for many gamers. With access to a vast library of downloadable titles, including day-one releases from Microsoft Studios, the service remains a cost-effective way to explore a wide variety of games. Additionally, Game Pass includes perks like online multiplayer access and discounts on in-game purchases for select titles.

While Xbox Game Pass remains a leader in the subscription service space, Malaysian gamers do have other options. Competitors like PlayStation Now offer similar libraries, although their availability in Malaysia might be limited. Additionally, some publishers like Electronic Arts have their own subscription services, granting access to specific game catalogs.

The price increase for Xbox Game Pass in Malaysia might sting a bit, but the service still offers good value for gamers who enjoy variety and the convenience of a large downloadable library. However, it’s worth considering your gaming preferences and comparing options before making a decision. Keep in mind, that existing subscribers have a two-month grace period before the new price kicks in. So, this might be a good time to re-evaluate your gaming needs and decide if Xbox Game Pass continues to be the right fit for your budget.

Gaming, News

XBOX Game Pass Comes to NVIDIA GeForce NOW

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Gaming is quickly growing to become one of the largest industries in the world. However, gaming itself is on the verge of a revolution that could change the way we enjoy our blockbuster AAA games forever with Cloud Gaming. While not many companies have offerings, companies like NVIDIA and Microsoft are looking to cash in early with services like XBOX‘s GamePass and NVIDIA‘s GeForce NOW. NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW is about to get a little bit more interesting with XBOX’s GamePass in a new collaboration.

NVIDIA and Microsoft are further accelerating this trend with a groundbreaking partnership that extends access to Xbox’s PC Game Pass and select Microsoft Store titles to the GeForce NOW streaming platform. This partnership will bring AAA titles to a myriad of devices including Android smartphones and tablets.

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GeForce NOW members will now notice a new Xbox button on supported PC games, enabling seamless launches of titles on different devices. This integration extends to those who have purchased standalone games through the Microsoft Store or hold active subscriptions to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass. However, it’s important to note that not all PC Game Pass titles will be immediately available on the NVIDIA streaming service. While the integration is live, the complete library of Game Pass titles will be gradually introduced to GeForce NOW over time.

The synergy between NVIDIA and Microsoft reflects a commitment to enhance cloud gaming options for enthusiasts. The integration comes after Microsoft and NVIDIA solidified a decade-long Xbox games licensing agreement in response to concerns arising from Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year.

Among the initial wave of titles available on the service are WrestleQuest, Jumplight Odyssey, Blasphemous 2, Crusader Kings III, and No Man’s Sky. As both companies collaborate to onboard and test each game, NVIDIA assures members of a smooth streaming experience across all supported platforms, albeit with a slight delay due to testing requirements.

As cloud gaming continues to flourish, the NVIDIA and Microsoft partnership brings the Xbox PC Game Pass closer to gamers, expanding the options for an enriched gaming journey. With new games set to be added each month, this collaboration signifies a compelling leap forward in the world of cloud gaming. NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW was announced recently in Malaysia in partnership with YES 5G.

Gaming, Lifestyle, News

Nice Xbox Series S, does it Come in Black? It Only Comes in Carbon Black, and 1TB Storage.

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Microsoft launched their latest Xbox devices in 2020 almost alongside Sony’s PlayStation 5. Like the PlayStation 5 series too, there are two types of Xbox that you can get, one packs a physical disc reader while the other does not. They cleverly named them the Series X and Series S, the Series X is the thicker tower that packs a disc reader, while the Series S is the ‘slim’ version of the Xbox without a disc reader.

Obviously, the prices are different too. The Series X, packing a disc reader, larger internal real estate, and probably more efficient cooling, is the more expensive one. The Series S is the budget option of the two and only comes with 500GB of space. No matter, you still get all the power of the latest Xbox in a more compact and affordable body. You just need to buy games digitally and pick and choose what to install in your Xbox. You can even upgrade your 500GB SSD to 1TB SSD if you really want, but it might take some know how to do and you now have an extra 500GB SSD that you might not have a use for. The Xbox Series S also only comes in one colour option, white; boring.

  • XBOX SRS S FAMILY
    Source: Microsoft
  • XBOX SRS S BEAUTY
    Source: Microsoft

While it did not make that much sense buying the Series S before, it might make a whole lot more sense today, after Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase. They just announced the Xbox Series S Carbon Black edition, which will be available alongside the old one in white. While it now looks way cooler in its black guise, it is not just a cosmetic upgrade that we are getting with the new Xbox. You now get the option to buy the budget Xbox in Carbon Black with a 1TB SSD inside the console out-of-the-box too. Of course, it comes with a bump in price too over the regular Xbox Series S, a US$ 50 price bump to be exact to make it now worth US$ 349.99 (MYR 1,617*) for one.

This good news does come with a caveat though. The US$ 349.99 Xbox Series S Carbon Black edition will not be available immediately. It is only available later in the year in September 2023 in global markets. The pre-order has already started for the Carbon Black edition in available markets. Malaysia does not technically support the Xbox officially yet, but we do have the Xbox Game Pass which will also be supported on NVIDIA’s GeForce Now streaming service. More on the Xbox Series S Carbon Black can be found on their website.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.62 as of 12/06/2023 on xe.com