Microsoft Announces Increase In Xbox Game Pass Subscription Prices
Microsoft has announced significant price increases for its Game Pass subscription service, which includes some big changes to the available tiers.
In the UK, the cost for PC Game Pass is rising by £2 to £9.99 per month, while the Ultimate service will go up by the same amount to £14.99 per month. According to Microsoft, the majority of their users are already on the Ultimate Game Pass subscription.
For Xbox gamers, the current subscription tier is being replaced with the Xbox Games Pass Standard, which includes Xbox’s back catalogue but does not include day one games such as the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, meaning they will need to subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate to access new games on their release day.
These price hikes follow Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion in 2023, and the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which will be available on Game Pass from day one.
The move aims to position Game Pass as a dominant player in the industry, similar to how Netflix operates in the streaming world. Currently, there are around 34 million Game Pass subscribers worldwide, and they will all be affected by the price increase.
For new subscribers, these changes take effect immediately, while existing members will see their bills change in September. Xbox gamers on the basic subscription can keep their plan until it expires but will miss out on new releases and some exclusive games available only to Ultimate subscribers.
U.S. Will See Ultimate Pass Increase To $19.99 A Month
In the U.S., the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will increase from $16.99 to $19.99 a month. The new Xbox Game Pass Standard, which replaces the basic console tier, will cost $14.99 per month but will not include day one releases or several other perks like access to EA Play and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The PC Game Pass will also see a price rise from $9.99 to $11.99 a month. Meanwhile, the Xbox Game Pass Core (Xbox Live Gold multiplayer), which offers a limited library of games and online multiplayer, will go up from $59.99 to $74.99 annually.
Prices for other countries can be found here.
The decision to hike prices appears linked to the cost of adding high-profile games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to the Game Pass library on launch day. As Microsoft continues to invest in its gaming division, it’s also been making cost-cutting changes, including shutting down studios and laying off staff earlier this year.
These changes aim to ensure that Game Pass remains competitive and profitable, especially with the inclusion of blockbuster titles. The new pricing and tier structure reflect Microsoft's strategy to push more subscribers towards the higher-end Ultimate plan, offering the most comprehensive gaming experience.
