More than 40% of people cancelling Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions blame rising costs

Cost is cited by over 40% of US gamers who canceled their Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions, according to a new survey from Circana. Senior video game analyst Mat Piscatella explained this does not mean more people are leaving overall; instead, it highlights why existing subscribers are leaving.

For Nintendo Switch Online, 50% of recent cancellers said they couldn't justify the cost within their budget, though they still enjoyed the service. Xbox cut the price of its top-tier Game Pass subscription in April, but announced it would no longer offer new Call of Duty games on day of release, acknowledging the service had become too pricey for many.

All three companies have raised hardware prices this year, attributing it to broader market conditions, likely referring to AI data center demand for memory components. Xbox recently tested ad-supported game streaming, showing ads before each session, while core gameplay remains unchanged, aiming to offer more affordable options for players.

Additionally, Xbox announced it would introduce monthly cloud gaming limits for Game Pass subscribers starting in November 2026, as part of CEO Asha Sharma's strategy to balance efficiency, affordability, and performance.