Following mass layoffs at Xbox and major game cancellations, fans are taking a stand by canceling their Game Pass subscriptions.
This week, Microsoft cut over 9,000 jobs, and a big part of that came from its Xbox and gaming division. Multiple studios were hit hard, with some shut down completely. The Initiative, the team behind the long-awaited Perfect Dark reboot, is no more.
Rare’s ambitious Everwild? Canceled. Reports suggest that Turn 10, the developer behind Forza Motorsport, saw half its staff let go. These weren’t just small cuts, they were some of the biggest layoffs Xbox has seen in years.
The news didn’t sit well with Xbox fans. While layoffs in tech aren’t new, this time it feels different. The community is speaking up, and they’re doing it in a way Microsoft will definitely feel: canceling their Game Pass subscriptions.
Fans Are Canceling Xbox Game Pass Subscriptions Following Mass Layoffs
Over on ResetEra, one of the most active gaming forums online, a user started a thread called “Cancel Your Game Pass“. The post wasn’t just about the job cuts; it also brought up concerns over Microsoft’s AI direction, ethical issues involving its contracts, and how the company seems to be prioritizing subscriptions over everything else.
“They have made it clear that subscriptions are the most important strategy of their business going forward,” the post says. “So let’s hit them where it hurts.”
That message hit home for a lot of people. The thread now has over 200 replies, most of them in agreement. Many users say they’ve already canceled their Game Pass subscriptions. Some are going even further, getting rid of their Xbox consoles entirely or switching off Microsoft products altogether.
One person wrote, “Already done a month ago. I’m not giving them any more money.” Another didn’t hold back, saying, “Canceled my Game Pass subscription, sold off my Series X, and I stopped using Windows OS. Microsoft can go to hell.”
Others shared similar stories. “I did that last round of layoffs. Felt great.” Another said, “Was a Game Pass member for 3 straight years and cancelled last month. Huge Xbox user but I’m sick of their bullshit.”
One user added, “Sold my Xbox a while ago. Joke of a company.” And someone else simply posted, “Even sold my Series S recently.”
A few commenters mentioned they were close to renewal but decided to stop. “Thanks for the reminder. My subscription is lapsing this month anyway, so I’ll gladly not renew,” one person said.
It’s not just about the money. A lot of the replies are driven by disappointment, frustration, and a sense that the Xbox brand no longer represents what it used to. And while these posts are just a snapshot of the larger Xbox fanbase, the growing number of people speaking out shows that the trust fans once had in the brand is starting to erode, if it hasn’t already.
On top of everything else, reports recently came out that Microsoft may have canceled an upcoming first-party Xbox handheld project. It was supposed to be a new push into portable gaming, but if the rumors are true, that idea has quietly been shelved too.
What do you think? Have you canceled your subscription or considered it? Let us know in the comments.
