Microsoft is shaking things up with Xbox Game Pass, rebranding certain subscription tiers while also increasing the prices. As announced on Xbox Wire, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan is jumping from $19.99 to $29.99 per month starting today – a straight-up $10 increase. Other tiers are also seeing adjustments, and we’ve broken down all the details from today’s announcement below.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will cost $29.99 starting today
The biggest reveal from today’s Xbox Wire is the price jump for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is moving from $19.99 to $29.99 per month. Unlike the last time it increased in price, though, this time the change comes with a wave of upgrades. The Ultimate tier now includes a library of more than 400 games, with 45 new titles added today alone. Ubisoft Plus Classics is now bundled in, and starting next month, Fortnite Crew will also be included, offering the Fortnite Battle Pass, 1,000 V-Bucks each month, and more. On top of that, Xbox Cloud Gaming is officially out of beta with support for 1440p resolution and improved bitrate. Microsoft has also revamped its rewards program, promising Ultimate subscribers the chance to earn up to $100 annually, though it remains to be seen how well this plays in real world.
Xbox Game Pass Premium – $14.99/month
The Game Pass Standard tier is now Game Pass Premium, and it’s priced at the same $14.99 per. month. It packs in more value, though, and subscribers now get a 200+ game library across Xbox and PC, including Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy. Additionally, you’ll also get unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming access without having to subscribe to the Ultimate tier.
It’s worth noting that day-one releases remain exclusive to Ultimate, but Microsoft promises all first-party Xbox titles – except Call of Duty – will land on Premium within a year. Notably, perks like in-game rewards for League of Legends, Warzone, and Rainbow Six Siege X are also included, along with the chance to earn up to $50 annually through Microsoft Rewards.
Xbox Game Pass Essential – $9.99/month
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Core is being rebranded to Xbox Game Pass Essential, and but it stays at $9.99 per month while doubling its library to 50+ games, now playable on both console and PC. It’s also getting unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming, plus the option to stream select owned titles. The Game Pass Essential subscribers get Riot Games perks, too, and can earn up to $25 annually through Microsoft Rewards, making Essential a stronger entry-level tier overall.
PC Game Pass changes $16.49/month
Microsoft is raising the price of PC Game Pass from $11.99 to $16.49 per month, which is nearly a 40% hike. The real kicker here, however, is the fact that it’s getting the price hike without any new perks. It will continue to include day-one release, but it’s losing Ubisoft Plus Classic titles.
All these changes arrive right as Microsoft prepares to raise Xbox console prices in the U.S. Not to mention, the new Xbox handhelds just went up for pre-order, too. There’s a lot happening in the Xbox ecosystem, and it’ll be interesting to see how these updates and launches shape the brand’s position in the months ahead.
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