Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service is joining the ranks of other subscription services including Spotify and Netflix in shaking up its offerings. Microsoft on Tuesday confirmed a long-awaited price increase for Xbox Game Pass, along with additional changes to the base Xbox console tier.
A Microsoft representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But the company has a web page posted the changes in detail. In short, sign up quickly if you want to avoid some price increases on the best Game Pass deals, as they go into effect on Wednesday. (Here’s a link to a Game Pass Membership at Amazon for $14.99, and here’s one for Best Buy for $16.99. You can choose which membership level you want and for how long.)
Pricing changes will go into effect for new members who join Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Game Pass Core, and PC Game Pass. Additionally, Game Pass for Console will no longer be available to new members, essentially due to that tier getting a new name — Game Pass Standard — along with other benefits.
Price increases and more
Pricing is changing globally for Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and 12-month Game Pass Core subscriptions. New members will see their prices increase on July 10, and existing members will see their prices increase on September 12.
a full list of price increases per country has been posted online. American subscribers to Game Pass Ultimate pays $20up from $17, and US subscribers on Game Pass Core pays $75 for a 12-month subscription, up from $60, with monthly fees remaining at $10 for those who don’t purchase the annual deal. The price for PC Game Pass is going up from $10 per month to $12.
The company is also adding a new Game Pass option, Xbox Game Pass Standardwhat it will cost approximately $15 per monthand will be available in the coming months. The plan appears to be a renamed and revamped version of Game Pass for Console, and as such will include hundreds of console games. However, it will now add the benefits of the Game Pass Core plan, including online console multiplayer and select member deals and discounts. But it will not include games released on day one.
Xbox Game Pass charges a monthly fee but gives players access to hundreds of games, as well as a handful of Day 1 launch games from Microsoft’s own studios. Before the changes, CNET editors called Xbox Game Pass Ultimate “the best content deal in gaming,” noting that the subscription service includes access to online multiplayer services, console and PC game downloads, a deal with gaming giant EA and a cloud-based service that streams games to nearly any device.
