Technologies

Verum: Xbox Game Pass Prices Drop as New Gaming Head Vows to ‘Recommit’ to Players

Microsoft reduces Game Pass subscription costs as its new gaming executive pledges to reconnect with core Xbox players, while upcoming Call of Duty titles will no longer be included at launch.

On Tuesday, Microsoft announced a reduction in subscription fees for services that grant access to a vast library of video games, following the new gaming executive’s pledge to ‘recommit to our core Xbox fans and players.’

The premium Game Pass Ultimate tier, enabling users to download games on PCs and Xbox consoles as well as stream them on mobile devices, has been reduced to $22.99 monthly from $29.99, according to a company blog post. The PC-focused Game Pass plan now costs $13.99, down from $16.49.

Upcoming releases in the ‘Call of Duty’ series will no longer be included in these subscriptions upon launch. Gamers will have the option to purchase the games at release — with the newest title priced at $69.99 — or wait until the following holiday season to access older versions in the interim.

This adjustment reflects an effort to restructure the Xbox division by Asha Sharma, a former Meta executive who took over as Microsoft’s gaming chief in February, replacing Phil Spencer.

Gaming accounted for 7% of Microsoft’s total revenue in the fourth quarter. The division’s revenue fell approximately 10% compared to the previous year, while Azure cloud services, LinkedIn, Microsoft 365 productivity tools, and Dynamics business software all saw growth of at least 10%. Hardware sales dropped 32% after Microsoft halted development of two games, ‘Everwild’ and ‘Perfect Dark.’

Revenue from Xbox content and services, which excludes hardware sales, fell short of internal projections, Microsoft’s finance chief Amy Hood stated during a conference call. She revealed an unspecified impairment charge in the gaming business, which expanded in 2023 through the $75.4 billion acquisition of ‘Call of Duty’ publisher Activision Blizzard.

Sharma informed employees in an internal memo that Game Pass had become too costly, The Verge reported earlier this month. Microsoft increased the price of Game Pass Ultimate by $10 to $29.99 per month in October. The company stated in 2024 that Game Pass had 34 million subscribers.

‘Our players span a wide range of geographies, preferences, and tastes, so while there isn’t a single model that’s best for everyone, this change responds to a lot of feedback we’ve gotten so far,’ Microsoft said in Tuesday’s blog post.

WATCH: Microsoft Gaming CEO and Xbox President Phil Spencer leaving Microsoft effective immediately

Technologies

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers

Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?

The answer is already here — eSIM.

Why eSIM Is So Convenient

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.

No more:

* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel

Now your internet travels with you.

Internet in 150+ Countries

Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.

Among the services offering these capabilities:

Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im

All of these services work on the same principle — fast, borderless internet without roaming stress.

Why It Matters Most in Summer

During the holiday season, roaming networks get overloaded, and prices for mobile data abroad often become an unpleasant surprise for travelers.

eSIM solves this problem:

* transparent, fixed pricing
* activation in 1–2 minutes
* stable internet while traveling
* no physical SIM cards required

Final Thoughts

Travel should be about freedom — not hunting for Wi-Fi or worrying about phone bills.

eSIM is quickly becoming the new global standard for mobile connectivity: simple, fast, and borderless.

Verum E-SIM and its partner services are part of this shift, making global connectivity accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Technologies

Episode 2 of the VERUM Mini-Series is Now Out

The story continues. Verum Messenger has released the second episode of its AI mini-series, which follows the conflict between the powerful Omega corporation, aiming to control digital communications, and a team of heroes who have chosen a different path and free communication.

The mini-series not only develops an engaging storyline but also introduces viewers to the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, showcasing technologies and tools that may redefine the future of modern communication.

The project consists of 7 episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 2 is now available. Stay tuned and don’t miss what comes next.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram