The Hidden Costs of Season Passes You Might Not Know About

14 August 2025

Video games have come a long way from the good old days of inserting a cartridge or CD and enjoying the full experience. Today, we live in the era of "games as a service," where microtransactions, DLCs, and yes—season passes—have become the norm. At first glance, season passes seem like a great deal: pay once and unlock a steady stream of new content. Sounds amazing, right? But hold up! There’s more to these passes than meets the eye. Beneath their shiny surface lies a web of hidden costs that many gamers overlook.

So, before you whip out your wallet and commit to that season pass, let’s dive deep into what you’re really signing up for.

What Are Season Passes, Anyway?

Let’s start with the basics. A season pass is essentially a pre-paid package that gives players access to additional content for a game, typically released over time. This could include new maps, skins, weapons, game modes, or sometimes even expansions. Think of it like buying a "subscription" for more game content.

Game developers and publishers market season passes as a way to "enhance" your gaming experience. And sure, they definitely can—when done right. But as with any good deal, the devil is in the details.

The Initial Cost Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg

When you see a $30 season pass, you might think, "Okay, sweet deal!" But here’s where you need to take a step back and do some quick math. That $30 is on top of the $60 (or more) you’ve already spent on the base game. Suddenly, your “fun evening escape” is inching closer to triple digits.

And let’s not forget deluxe editions. Some games bundle the season pass with the deluxe version, pushing the cost up to $100+ straight out of the gate. So, while you’re thinking the season pass is saving you money in the long run, it’s actually inflating the upfront price of your gaming experience.

Paying for Content That Doesn’t Even Exist Yet

Let’s be honest for a sec—how many times have you pre-ordered a game or bought DLC before knowing what’s in it, only to be underwhelmed later? Season passes carry the same risk. When you shell out for a pass, you’re usually paying for content that hasn’t even been developed yet.

Think about it: you’re handing over your hard-earned cash for a promise. And while some developers deliver on that promise brilliantly, others… not so much. There’s always the chance that the content will be delayed, subpar, or not what you expected at all.

Would you buy a movie ticket if the trailer hadn’t even been released? Probably not. Yet with season passes, that's exactly what you're doing.

The FOMO Hook: Are You Really Getting Your Money’s Worth?

Ah, FOMO—the "fear of missing out." Game publishers are experts at exploiting it. When the message is that everyone else is getting exclusive skins, bonus missions, or early access, it’s hard not to cave.

But here’s the thing: are you really using everything you paid for? Many gamers buy a season pass with the intention of diving into all the content but end up only playing a fraction of it. Life gets in the way, other games come out, or maybe the new content just doesn’t appeal to you the way you thought it would.

So essentially, you’ve paid for the "full package," but you’re only enjoying 30% of it. Is it worth it? That’s a tough pill to swallow.

The Time Cost: Because Time Is Money, Too

Season passes are designed to keep you hooked for months, possibly even a year. It’s a sneaky tactic—keeping you tethered to one game so you’re less tempted to jump to another. But let’s face it, most of us don’t have endless time to dedicate to a single game.

If you’re someone who can only play a few hours a week, that season pass content might pile up faster than you can keep up. Before you know it, the "backlog guilt" kicks in. You’ve spent money on this extra content, so now you feel obligated to play—even if it’s not as enjoyable anymore.

In the end, you’re not just spending money; you’re spending time. And time, my friend, is a currency you can never get back.

The "Surprise Mechanics" of Additional Microtransactions

Here’s a fun twist. Some games with season passes still come with additional microtransactions. Bought the pass? Cool. But want that shiny new skin or weapon released this week? Oh, that’s gonna cost extra.

It’s like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet, only to find out that drinks aren’t included. Frustrating, right? You thought you were getting the whole package, but you’re still being nickel-and-dimed for extras that feel like they should’ve been part of the deal.

And the worst part? Some games use this system to their advantage, creating a sense of exclusivity around these "extras" that make you feel like you’re missing out—again.

Subpar Content: Quantity Over Quality

Not all season passes are created equal. Some offer fantastic content that feels worth every penny, while others release filler content that doesn’t justify the price. A couple of mediocre skins, a handful of uninspired maps, and maybe a rehashed game mode… that’s not exactly what we signed up for.

Content quality can vary wildly between developers and even within the same game. So while you might get one or two standout additions, the rest could feel like lazy cash grabs. And that’s when you start questioning whether it was smarter (and cheaper) to just buy the content individually—or skip it altogether.

The Endless Cycle: Are We Encouraging a Bad Trend?

Now, here’s a tough question to ask ourselves as gamers: by buying into season passes, are we contributing to a less consumer-friendly gaming industry? Developers and publishers respond to market trends, and if season passes remain profitable, they’ll keep pushing them. In some cases, they’ll even lock game-essential content behind these passes to make them more enticing.

We’re essentially voting with our wallets. And if we keep voting for incomplete games sold in chunks… well, that’s what we’ll keep getting.

The Alternatives: Is There a Smarter Way?

Okay, so now that we’ve unpacked the downsides, you’re probably wondering: "What’s the alternative?" Here are a few tips that’ll help you avoid falling into the season pass trap.

- Wait for Reviews: Patience is your best friend. Wait for the full content to be released, then check reviews to see if it’s worth your money.

- Buy Content Individually: Many games let you purchase DLC separately. If you’re only interested in certain updates, this could save you cash.

- Wait for Sales: Season passes often go on sale months after release. You could snag the same content for a fraction of the price if you’re willing to wait.

- Evaluate Your Time: Be honest about how much time you’ll actually spend on this content. If you’re already stretched thin, skipping the pass might be the smart move.

Final Thoughts: Is the Hype Worth the Price?

Season passes aren’t inherently bad—when done right, they can add incredible value to a game you love. But they’re not always the no-brainer bargain they’re made out to be. Between the upfront costs, the risk of subpar content, and the time you’ll need to invest, season passes demand a level of scrutiny that most gamers don’t give them.

At the end of the day, it’s about weighing the pros and cons—and deciding if the hidden costs are worth it for you personally. Gaming should be fun, not a constant tug-of-war on your wallet and schedule.

So, the next time you’re tempted to hit “buy” on a season pass, take a minute to think it through. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.