Microsoft has announced a series of changes to its popular Xbox Game Pass subscription service, including price hikes and the introduction of new tiers. These changes, which will take effect on July 10th, were initially announced quietly on Xbox’s support site before gaining wider attention. The most significant change is the discontinuation of the ‘Game Pass for Console’ option. While existing subscriptions will remain unaffected, new subscribers will have to choose between Xbox Game Pass Core or the new Xbox Game Pass Standard tier, which is set to launch in the coming months.
Xbox Game Pass Standard will cost $15 per month and provide subscribers with access to online multiplayer on consoles. However, it will not support cloud gaming or offer immediate access to certain games that are available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on day one. Alongside these tier changes, Microsoft is also implementing price increases across all Xbox Game Pass tiers. These hikes will take effect on July 10th for new subscribers and on September 12th for existing members. Here’s a breakdown of the new pricing for each tier in the United States:
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Xbox Game Pass Ultimate:
$20 per month (previously $17)*
PC Game Pass:
$12 per month (previously $10)*
Xbox Game Pass Core (12-month subscription):
$75 (previously $60)These changes come at a time when Xbox Game Pass is experiencing significant growth. Microsoft recently brought the service to Amazon Fire TVs and continues to add a steady stream of day-one games to its library. In the coming months, subscribers can look forward to titles like Capcom’s Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Age of Mythology: Retold, Avowed, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, all launching as day-one additions to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Despite these additions, some users have expressed confusion about the new tier structure and price hikes. Microsoft, however, maintains that these changes are necessary to continue providing value and delivering more great games to subscribers. The company has stated that these changes will enable them to bring members more value and more great games to Game Pass.
