New Xbox Game Pass Pricing: What Gamers Need to Know
Entertainment|Gaming News
By Drew Bryant
July 11th, 2024, theloadoutblog.com
Recently, Microsoft announced changes to the price tiers of its Xbox Game Pass service, replacing one pricing tier and introducing a new one. The overall price of Xbox Game Pass will increase, and with several new options, it may become a bit convoluted for consumers who just want to enjoy what Game Pass has to offer.
The news of the subscription price increase was first outlined by Windows Central and then detailed on Xbox Support. Microsoft is replacing its basic $10.99 Xbox Game Pass Core with Xbox Game Pass Standard at $14.99, which does not include the Day One release feature for first-party titles. Additionally, the price of Game Pass Ultimate is rising from $16.99 to $19.99 a month in the U.S. Game Pass Ultimate retains the Day One feature that is missing from the new Standard tier. One of the biggest draws to Game Pass is its day one access to new first-party titles, which is especially enticing with games such as Call of Duty 6 set to release in October.
For gamers who want to play first-party titles at launch or potentially at all, the cost will now be $19.99 a month for Game Pass Ultimate. The new pricing scheme went into effect for new members yesterday and will apply to existing members on September 12th, 2024.
PC Game Pass users will also see a price hike from $9.99 a month to $11.99 a month. The Game Pass Core tier is rising from $59.99 a year to $74.99 a year.
Microsoft will now only allow users to pre-pay for Xbox Game Pass for console for up to 13 months. Users who have already paid for more than 13 months in advance will not be affected.
The price changes will go into effect worldwide for new customers immediately and for current Game Pass customers this fall. Here is a full list of affected countries and specifics within each country and region available [here].
Xbox Game Pass Changes
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – $19.99 a month
Access to the full library of Xbox Game Pass games, PC Game Pass games, EA Play, day one titles, online multiplayer, member deals and discounts, perks, and cloud gaming.
Xbox Game Pass Standard – $14.99 a month
Access to a limited library of Xbox Game Pass games, excluding day one titles, plus online multiplayer and member deals and discounts. This tier is “coming soon” and may not launch alongside the September 12, 2024 price hike.
PC Game Pass – $11.99 a month
Access to PC Game Pass games and EA Play. Microsoft has confirmed to IGN that day one titles will be included in this subscription.
Xbox Game Pass Console – $10.99 a month for existing subscribers only
Access to a limited library of Xbox games alongside member deals and discounts. This tier is no longer available for new subscribers, but day one games are still included as they were before.
Xbox Game Pass Core – $9.99 a month
Access to around 25 Xbox Game Pass games, online multiplayer, and member deals and discounts.
Back in September, Microsoft raised prices on Xbox Game Pass, increasing the Ultimate tier price from $14.99/month to $16.99/month in its first price hike since 2017. Now, paying $14.99 a month nets gamers significantly less than it did a year ago. Those gamers will be in the Standard tier moving forward, which removes the day one feature, EA Play, cloud gaming, and free perks once included with that tier.
It remains to be seen how this new pricing structure will affect Microsoft in the long run. Will it boost or hinder Microsoft’s user base and income? We will have to wait and see how fans and the market react to this incoming price shift.
