Since the introduction of Xbox Game Pass Quests, subscribers have utilized the program to earn free Microsoft Rewards points for simple tasks and playing great games. It's an exciting program that encourages Xbox Game Pass subscribers to try new games and to stay active within the Xbox community. Microsoft continues to refine the program, though, as a new update will be making some notable changes. Specifically, fewer rewards for simple tasks, but more options for bigger rewards.Xbox Game Pass Quests users have been capitalizing on a stream of easily attainable Microsoft Rewards points for some time via two very straightforward tasks. One quest tasked users to log into the Xbox Game Pass mobile app and rewarded 5 points. That quest appears to have been removed entirely. The next tasked players with starting up any Game Pass game and rewarded 5 points, as well. That daily quest remains, but now only rewards 3 points. Suffice to say, Xbox Game Pass Quests' trickle of rewards is significantly reduced.Microsoft is trying to make up for the shrinking trickle of rewards with broader access to larger rewards, however. Xbox Game Pass Quests' big 1,000 point reward for completing daily and weekly quests is now easier to attain. It's shrunk down to having players complete 22 daily quests, which should make it much easier to attain. Players can accidentally miss a day and still be rewarded.
There are also two big Bonus Round quests in March that more than make up for the shrinking trickle of points. However, they are definitely a bit more involved than simply logging in. For 2,000 points, users are given multiple tasks including using Bing over five days, doing daily sets of tasks, and more. Another bonus task for Women's History Month asks players to complete a single achievement for 500 points.
Overall, it's a net gain for Xbox Game Pass Quests participants. That doesn't make the sting of the easy daily rewards losing their value any less disappointing, of course. Nor does it remove the worry that Xbox is using temporary bonus rewards to cover what could be long-term decreases in overall reward dispersal. For those who depend on Microsoft Rewards for access to Xbox Live Gold, this could prove to be disastrous.
One question that hasn't been answered is why Microsoft made these changes to Xbox Game Pass Quests in the first place. 8 points a day fewer than before totals around 240 Microsoft Rewards points a month. In turn, an Xbox Live Gold prize costs 9,500 rewards points. Removing these rewards seems unnecessary or even punitive given their relatively small value. Perhaps there's more to the changes that Microsoft will better explain later.