Microsoft is making noticeable changes to Xbox Game Pass, and the most eye-catching update is a jump in the subscription price. Starting this month, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will cost $29.99 each month—$10 higher than before.
The company says the adjustment reflects what players now get from the service. Game Pass members can expect access to more than 75 new games every year, with many titles available the same day they release. This includes big names such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Ninja Gaiden 4. For Microsoft, Game Pass isn’t just a bonus feature anymore; it’s becoming the central way to experience Xbox.
Main Key Points:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate increases to $29.99/month.
- Service now includes 75+ day-one game releases each year.
- New tiers introduced: Game Pass Essential and Game Pass Premium.
- Cloud gaming is now included across multiple subscription levels.
- Microsoft shifts focus to services amid slowing hardware sales.
New Tiers and More Cloud Gaming
The changes don’t stop with Ultimate. Microsoft is also reworking how its subscription tiers are presented. The basic option will now be called Game Pass Essential, while the middle tier will go by Game Pass Premium.
One of the standout updates is that both of these plans now include unlimited cloud gaming. That means players can stream their games to different devices instead of relying only on their console. This focus on flexibility signals how Microsoft wants gaming to fit more easily into everyday life.
Why Raise Prices Now?
The timing connects to bigger shifts in the industry. Microsoft has already adjusted console prices in the U.S. twice this year, pointing to higher production costs and tariffs as the reasons. At the same time, the gaming hardware market has cooled, with sales slower across the board.
Rather than lean only on hardware, Microsoft is choosing to strengthen its digital services. By doing this, the company hopes Game Pass will be seen as the core value of owning an Xbox, not just an optional add-on.
Balancing Value with Cost
Of course, raising the price by 50% won’t go unnoticed. Some subscribers may think twice before renewing. Still, Microsoft believes the expanded content and streaming options will tip the balance. With dozens of new games launching straight into the library every year, and the ability to play them across devices, the company is betting that most players will stick around.
As Sony, Nintendo, and other publishers push their own subscription models, Microsoft’s move shows how strongly it views services as the future of gaming. The bigger question is whether players will see the new benefits as worth the higher price tag.
Source from Gizchina
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