Microsoft is making some big changes to Xbox Game Pass, including raising prices on some plans, eliminating others, and adding entirely new options. It’s turning what was once an easy-to-understand service—and arguably the best deal in gaming—into a confusing and costly mess.
On July 9, people began sharing emails from Xbox that appeared to indicate an upcoming price increase for Game Pass subscribers in September. Wario64 shared the news on X (formerly Twitter). Shortly thereafter Windows Central confirmed that there will be a price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, as well as a number of other changes. One of the biggest is the news that Xbox is introducing a new plan that will replace the Game Pass console tier. This new plan, called Standard, will no longer include day-one game releases.
Xbox has since published a FAQ The official support page explains all the changes and it’s quite a mess. Here are the highlights:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will cost $17 per month in the US, down from $20 per month. This price change will take effect for new subscribers on July 10 and for existing members starting in September.
- Xbox Game Pass for console, a cheaper alternative to Game Pass Ultimate that did not include PC games or EA Play titles, is being eliminated. This plan will be replaced by Game Pass Standard for new users in “the coming months.” This plan costs $15 per month in the US. Users currently subscribed to Xbox Game Pass for console can keep the subscription without changes.
- Xbox also confirmed that this new Game Pass Standard The tier does not include any new games on day one, which has been standard with Game Pass since its launch.
- Microsoft says some day-one Game Pass releases ultimately to provide for Game Pass Standard subscribers at a later date.
- Starting September 12, 2024, Xbox will no longer allow users to stack Game Pass for console prepaid cards for longer than 13 months. Users who have already exceeded this limit will not be affected.
- The price of the PC Game Pass will increase from $10 to $12. PC subscribers will continue to receive day-one games, according to Windows Central.
- The price of Xbox Game Pass Core, also known as Xbox Live Gold, is increasing from $60 to $75 annually. However, the monthly price of $10 remains the same. (Xbox Game Pass Standard includes Core. Yes, it’s confusing.)
That’s a lot of changes that turn Game Pass into a chaotic and difficult to parse subscription service with more tiers and restrictions. It reminds me of the terrible and confusing state of PS Plus after Sony restructures this service in 2022.
Frankly, at this point you may need to Check a chart and a FAQ to find out if your plan is changing, what is changing and how much it will cost you. It is also very interesting that these price changes are taking place in September, not long before Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 comes into service in October.
My city has contacted Xbox about the changes to Game Pass.
