In the short-term, possibly the long, Microsoft will not go back on the price increase. They won't keep it at $20 or meet in the middle at $25. The best they could do is add more benefits.
If people don't want to "rent" games, Essential is indeed the best choice and you buy the games you want when they go on a good sale. It's like you already mentioned. I recently unsubscribed from what was called Core because I'm not playing Xbox enough (it has not ever been more than a tertiary platform for me in the long run) and need to use the money on PS Plus Essential, Nintendo Expansion Pack (just got a Switch 2 over a month ago) and plenty of non-game related things. When I make more money in the future or find enough use out of Game Pass, I will subscribe to at least the lowest tier again.
Microsoft is testing how much people will pay. Ultimate might get up to $40 a month by late 2026-early 2027.
Lifetime Sales Predictions
Switch: 161 million (was 73 million, then 96 million, then 113 million, then 125 million, then 144 million, then 151 million, then 156 million)
PS5: 122 million (was 105 million, then 115 million) Xbox Series X/S: 38 million (was 60 million, then 67 million, then 57 million. then 48 million. then 40 million)
Switch 2: 120 million (was 116 million)
PS4: 120 mil (was 100 then 130 million, then 122 million) Xbox One: 51 mil (was 50 then 55 mil)
3DS: 75.5 mil (was 73, then 77 million)
"Let go your earthly tether, enter the void, empty and become wind." - Guru Laghima
