Microsoft is Making Several Huge Changes to Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft is increasing prices for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions across all regions from July 10, 2024.
Microsoft is making several changes to its Xbox Game Pass offering that will affect players across all regions where the service is available. Since Xbox Game Pass launched in 2017, millions of players have been able to subscribe to the service that allows access to hundreds of games across PC and Xbox consoles.
Since Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in a landmark buyout in 2023, rumors have been circulating that there would be big changes to the subscription service to facilitate bringing games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to Game Pass on the day of its release. Microsoft has now detailed what changes players can expect from the service going forward.
Players looking to subscribe to either Xbox Game Pass PC or Ultimate will see a price increase across all regions from July 10, 2024. For existing subscribers, these rises come into effect from September 12, 2024, and there are no changes to the benefits offered in any of these tiers like the inclusion of EA Play. Xbox Game Pass PC subscribers will see their monthly fees from $9.99 to $11.99, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate rising from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. Xbox Game Pass Core, Microsoft’s entry-level subscription service, will see its yearly fee jump from $59.99 to $74.99, although the monthly charge will remain at $9.99.
Changes To Xbox Game Pass
| Xbox Game Pass Core | Xbox Game Pass for console | Xbox Game Pass Standard | Xbox Game Pass for PC | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | |
| Previous price | $9.99 per month / $59.99 per year | $10.99month | N/A | $9.99 per month | $16.99 per month |
| New price | $9.99 per month / $74.99 per year | No change for existing members | $14.99 | $11.99 per month | $19.99 per month |
| Downloadable game library | Selection of Xbox titles | More than 100 games – consoles only | More than 100 games – consoles only | More than 100 games – PC only | More than 100 games for console and PC |
| Xbox Studios same-day releases | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming game library | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Online multiplayer | Yes | No | Yes | N/A | Yes |
| EA Play membership | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft store discounts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On top of these price increases, the Xbox Game Pass Console option will be phased out from July 10, 2024. From this date, the service will not be available to new subscribers. Players who are already subscribed can continue to use the service as it is so long as their account is set to auto-renew. Members can still stack gift cards to top up their console subscription, but from September 12, the maximum amount allowed will be 13 months.
With the withdrawal of Xbox Game Pass Console, a new tier called Xbox Game Pass Standard will be introduced in the coming months, priced at $14.99 per month. This option will give gamers on Xbox consoles access to hundreds of titles across the Game Pass library along with the ability to play online, something that is absent from the previous Console tier. Crucially, this option will not include cloud streaming or any day-one releases from Microsoft.
While the new Xbox Game Pass Standard tier includes online play, bringing it more in line with the recently revamped Xbox Game Pass Core, players will no doubt be disappointed with the lack of day-one releases to the new tier. It is worth remembering that both Xbox Game Pass PC and Ultimate options include the same benefits and players on the console tier can continue to enjoy the day-one releases so long as they keep an active subscription.
Official Xbox Products
