Home Disney Speedstorm’s Golden Pass controversy moves Gameloft to consider changes

Disney Speedstorm’s Golden Pass controversy moves Gameloft to consider changes

tl;dr

  • Gameloft faces backlash over Disney Speedstorm monetization changes.
  • Golden Pass now only available via $9.99 purchase, not Tokens.
  • Players express frustration; Gameloft hints at potential adjustments.

Gameloft may reverse course on Disney Speedstorm following major backlash regarding changes to the game’s monetization strategy.

Previously, players could earn the game’s “Golden Pass” — also known as its Season Pass — by accumulating Tokens, an in-game currency that can be freely earned. However, with the launch of the next season, the Golden Pass will only be available by purchasing it for $9.99.

“Starting in Season 7, significant structural changes will be coming to both Golden Passes and the Season Tour,” Gameloft announced in an April 9 blog post about Speedstorm. “Our goals with the changes are: make our Golden Passes more engaging and faster to complete for players, allow players to focus more on which Racers they wish to unlock via Golden Passes, [and] give more rewards to players that can be used on any Racer in the game.”

Gameloft then confirmed the following changes as part of the update: “Golden Passes will no longer be purchasable with Tokens, only as a direct purchase.” It was also announced that for the first time Season 7 of Speedstorm would be divided into two parts, with each segment lasting a month and featuring its own Golden Pass. Each part will have a premium Golden Pass Bundle for $19.99.

This decision has led to frustration among Disney Speedstorm players, especially those who purchased an early access Founder’s Pack. This pack included a substantial number of Tokens, which were promised to hold value for the future of the game. One user said: “That is possibly the WORSE change you could make! We’ve been saving up tokens BECAUSE of the pass!” Another added: “Are you making an actual effort to try and lose players?”

Gameloft’s response

Gameloft subsequently shared a statement on the official X account of the game, recognizing the response to its strategies and indicating potential adjustments ahead. “We would like to thank all of our fans for providing feedback over the past week”, the message reads. “We appreciate having such a passionate community. We will provide an update soon and appreciate your patience.”

Given that Season 7 is due to start on Thursday, there’s likely more to come on this development. However, it is unclear whether the season will be delayed or if the changes will take place at a later date.

Featured image: Gameloft

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Suswati Basu
Tech journalist

Suswati Basu is a multilingual, award-winning editor and the founder of the intersectional literature channel, How To Be Books. She was shortlisted for the Guardian Mary Stott Prize and longlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Award. With 18 years of experience in the media industry, Suswati has held significant roles such as head of audience and deputy editor for NationalWorld news, digital editor for Channel 4 News and ITV News. She has also contributed to the Guardian and received training at the BBC As an audience, trends, and SEO specialist, she has participated in panel events alongside Google. Her…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.