Less than a week after raising the price of its Xbox Game Pass subscription by 50%, Microsoft has further angered gamers by confirming that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will no longer receive discounts on downloadable content (DLC) purchases.

The company has replaced the 10% discount with a new reward-points system, a move that has sparked frustration among gamers worldwide.

More than half of Xbox players said they plan to cancel their subscriptions once the new pricing takes effect, according to a recent poll by IGN.

Microsoft said the change reflects all games and DLC purchases, adding that Ultimate and Premium subscribers will now earn 10% and 5% respectively in points when purchasing select titles and add-ons from the Game Pass library.

Ultimate members will retain up to 20% off full game purchases, but DLCs, including popular microtransactions like Call of Duty Points, will no longer be discounted.

Microsoft said the revised system aims to “reward engagement” by letting players accumulate points through purchases and gameplay, redeemable for gift cards and other benefits within the Xbox ecosystem.

But critics argue it’s simply a way to keep users spending rather than saving.

And the timing of the change hasn’t helped Microsoft’s cause.

It follows a steep price hike to the Game Pass Ultimate tier, which will rise from A$22.95 to A$35.95 per month starting November 18.

The company claims the higher cost reflects a “broader catalogue, new partner benefits and upgraded cloud gaming performance.”

New inclusions such as Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew memberships have been folded into the Ultimate plan to justify the bump.

But the gaming community isn’t buying it, and the backlash is growing.