Microsoft has shed light on the upcoming Xbox Game Pass Standard tier, offering gamers a more affordable option to access a vast library of games. However, it comes with some key limitations.
Following the price hike of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $19.99/month and the removal of the $9.99/month Console tier, console gamers were left without a budget-friendly subscription option. Xbox Game Pass Standard is set to fill that gap, replacing the Console tier and offering access to hundreds of games for a price that’s 50% higher.
A notable addition to Standard is online multiplayer functionality. However, it won’t offer new first-party games day and date, meaning Standard subscribers will have to wait for titles like Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and The Elder Scrolls VI to become available.
While new games will eventually be added to the Standard tier, Microsoft has indicated that it could take a full year or more before they become accessible to subscribers. This delay applies to all new first-party Xbox games.
Currently in testing within the Xbox Insiders program, Xbox Game Pass Standard lacks a confirmed launch date. As Microsoft continues to refine the Standard tier, gamers eagerly await its release and the potential it holds for both budget-conscious players and those seeking a wider game selection.
