microsoft revamps xbox game pass plans and Microsoft has announced a significant overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass subscription plans, including a notable price increase for its Ultimate tier.
microsoft revamps xbox game pass plans and
Price Increases and Rebranding
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Starting today, the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will rise from $19.99 to $29.99 per month, marking a 50 percent increase. This decision has raised eyebrows among subscribers, especially since Microsoft previously raised the price of Game Pass Ultimate last year without offering substantial improvements. However, this time, the company is introducing a variety of enhancements aimed at justifying the hike.
Dustin Blackwell, director of gaming and platform communications at Microsoft, explained in a briefing with The Verge, “What’s new for everyone across all three Xbox Game Pass plans is bigger game libraries, including PC games across each of the plans.” He also highlighted the introduction of unlimited cloud gaming for both Essential and Premium subscribers, a feature that was previously exclusive to Ultimate members.
The revamped Game Pass Ultimate will now provide access to over 400 titles globally, including many from partners who are keen to bring their future games to the Xbox platform. Today alone, Microsoft is adding 45 new games to the Ultimate library, including popular titles such as Hogwarts Legacy and various Assassin’s Creed games. Blackwell noted, “We’re also now giving access to more than 75 day one releases each year,” which represents a 50 percent increase over the previous year’s offerings.
In addition to these game additions, the Ultimate tier will now include Ubisoft Plus Classics, granting subscribers access to a selection of Ubisoft games across console, PC, and cloud platforms. Starting November 18th, Fortnite Crew will also be included in the Ultimate package, offering subscribers the Fortnite Battle Pass, 1,000 V-bucks each month, and additional perks. Blackwell emphasized that these new features collectively add approximately $28 a month in value for Ultimate subscribers.
Moreover, Xbox Cloud Gaming is emerging from beta with enhancements such as 1440p resolution support and improved bitrate for select games on compatible devices. These cloud improvements will be exclusive to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, further enhancing the value proposition of the subscription.
Lastly, Microsoft is revamping its rewards program. Ultimate subscribers can now earn up to $100 per year (100,000 points) simply by playing games, adding another layer of incentive for gamers.
Xbox Game Pass Premium
The Game Pass Premium tier will maintain its current monthly price of $14.99, but it will now boast a significantly larger library. Subscribers will have access to over 200 games on both Xbox and PC, marking the first time that Game Pass Premium will include PC games. Notable titles such as Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy will be available to Premium subscribers starting today.
In a notable shift, Game Pass Premium will also offer unlimited cloud access for the first time, eliminating the need for a Game Pass Ultimate subscription to utilize Xbox Cloud Gaming. Premium subscribers will be able to stream titles from the Game Pass library as well as select titles they own, enhancing the flexibility of the service.
While Game Pass Premium will not feature day one launch titles like Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft has committed to making new Xbox-published games available within a year of their launch. This excludes Call of Duty titles, but all other Microsoft-owned games will be accessible to Premium subscribers.
Additionally, Microsoft is expanding in-game perks to the Premium subscription, which were previously exclusive to Ultimate. Subscribers will receive in-game benefits in popular titles such as League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege X. Premium subscribers can also earn up to $50 a year through Microsoft’s rewards program, providing further value.
Xbox Game Pass Essential
The Game Pass Essential tier will retain its monthly price of $9.99, but it will now include a library of over 50 titles, an increase from the previous offering of more than 25 games. Subscribers will have the ability to play these titles on both PC and console, and they will also gain unlimited cloud access, a feature that was previously reserved for the Game Pass Ultimate tier.
Essential subscribers will be able to stream select games they own and will have access to in-game benefits from Riot Games. Additionally, they can earn up to $25 a year through Microsoft’s revamped rewards program, making this tier more appealing to budget-conscious gamers.
PC Game Pass Price Changes
In conjunction with the changes to the Xbox Game Pass tiers, Microsoft is also increasing the price of its PC Game Pass subscription. The monthly fee will rise from $11.99 to $16.49, representing a nearly 40 percent increase. Notably, Microsoft has not introduced any significant new features for PC players to justify this price hike.
Blackwell clarified, “The only change happening for PC Game Pass subscribers is that they won’t be getting Ubisoft Plus Classics, but they’ll be getting about 50 additional Ubisoft titles across PC Game Pass.” The subscription will continue to feature day one titles, maintaining its appeal to PC gamers.
With the addition of PC games to both Xbox Game Pass Essential and Premium, it appears that Microsoft may be reevaluating its dedicated subscription for PC gamers. The company might be looking to entice subscribers to switch to its Essential, Premium, or Ultimate tiers instead.
Market Adjustments and Future Implications
While the Xbox Game Pass Essential and Premium tiers are not seeing price increases in the U.S. at this time, adjustments will be made in certain international markets. All existing Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers will be automatically upgraded to the Essential and Premium plans, respectively. New pricing will take effect today for new subscribers and at the next billing cycle for existing subscribers.
These price increases come on the heels of Microsoft’s substantial investments in Game Pass over the past year. Blackwell noted, “This last year alone we’ve made our largest investment in Game Pass so far, signing deals with more than 150 partners to expand the catalog over time.” This commitment to expanding the Game Pass library indicates Microsoft’s strategy to enhance its competitive edge in the gaming subscription market.
Furthermore, Microsoft is expected to raise the prices of its Xbox consoles in the U.S. shortly, with the Xbox Series X now priced $150 higher than it was just six months ago. Additionally, the upcoming Xbox Ally X handheld is set to retail for $999.99 in the U.S., further signaling a shift in Microsoft’s pricing strategy.
Blackwell acknowledged the challenges posed by price increases, stating, “We understand price increases are never fun for anybody, but we’re trying to reinforce by adding more value to these plans as well.” He emphasized that Microsoft is attentive to player feedback and community sentiments, aiming to provide more of what gamers are requesting.
Conclusion
The recent changes to the Xbox Game Pass subscription plans reflect Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its gaming ecosystem. While the price increases may be met with skepticism from some subscribers, the added features and expanded game libraries aim to provide greater value. As Microsoft continues to invest in partnerships and content, the future of Xbox Game Pass looks promising, albeit at a higher cost for subscribers.
Source: Original report
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Last Modified: October 1, 2025 at 7:40 pm
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