Microsoft has decided to backtrack on its initial plan to discontinue the free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate perk for most of its 238,000 employees starting in 2024. This change of heart comes on the heels of a wave of complaints from Microsoft employees, prompting Xbox chief Phil Spencer to intervene.

After conducting a thorough review, Spencer has officially announced that Microsoft will maintain the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefit for its employees. In a message shared on the company’s internal Viva platform, Spencer stated: “After looking into this more with the team, I just want to confirm that no change will be made to Game Pass availability in 2024. If you have access to the Game Pass offer today, you will continue to have access. I appreciate the time to get up to speed and sorry for the questions and confusion created. And thanks for supporting Xbox.”

This reversal means that Microsoft employees will retain their complimentary access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a privilege they have enjoyed since the subscription option was introduced in 2019. Notably, Microsoft employees have had access to various Xbox subscriptions for free, with Xbox Live Gold being a longstanding benefit for years.

The exact reason behind Microsoft’s initial decision to revoke this benefit remains unclear. However, it seems to be related to internal benefits and human resources considerations. Spencer’s swift action in reversing the decision suggests that it was made without his knowledge, highlighting the importance of employee feedback and the value placed on retaining this sought-after perk.

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