Microsoft has officially announced an Xbox Game Pass price increase along with a major overhaul of its subscription model. The most notable change is the 50% price hike for the Ultimate tier, which rises from $19.99 to $29.99 per month, a move that many players have described as a heavy blow to existing subscribers.
Xbox Game Pass Price Increase and New Tier Structure
The changes go beyond pricing—Microsoft has also restructured and renamed its subscription plans, merging some of the previous tiers and adjusting their benefits as follows:
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Essential Plan: the new name for Game Pass Core, which remains priced at $9.99 per month. It includes access to a library of over 50 games, and for the first time, adds cloud streaming capabilities.
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Premium Plan: replaces the former Standard tiers, offering more than 200 games with access across PC, console, and cloud platforms.
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Ultimate Plan: the most comprehensive—and now the most expensive—option, priced at $29.99 per month. It includes a massive library of over 400 games, 75 day-one releases per year, and additional services such as Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics.
According to Microsoft, the new prices take effect immediately for new subscribers, while existing users will see the change applied starting November 4.
The company explained that the move is meant to “increase the value of the service” by expanding its content and features amid the growing competition between cloud gaming and subscription platforms.
However, community reactions have been mixed. Many players expressed frustration across social media, describing the increase as excessive and hinting that they may cancel their subscriptions or downgrade to cheaper plans.
Others, however, believe the expanded content and inclusion of Ubisoft+ Classics could justify the price jump and even make Xbox Game Pass a better overall value for players seeking access to modern AAA releases.
Ultimately, Microsoft is betting that Xbox Game Pass will remain the leading gaming subscription service, thanks to its vast library, day-one launches, and cross-platform flexibility—even if it now comes at a higher cost.
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