Bad news gamers… Microsoft has officially announced the upcoming Xbox Game Pass price increase. Additionally, a new subscription tier called Xbox Game Pass Standard will be introduced. These changes, announced for September, have ignited discussions and anticipation among the gaming community.
Over the years, Xbox Game Pass has grown to become a cornerstone of Microsoft’s gaming strategy, offering gamers access to a vast library of games for a monthly fee. The service has been praised for its value, particularly the Ultimate tier, which combines Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass for both console and PC.
However, with the upcoming Xbox Game Pass price increase, Microsoft is shaking things up, prompting subscribers to reassess their options as explained on the Xbox Support page.
How much will the service be after the Xbox Game Pass price increase?
Starting September 12th, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will see a price increase from $16.99 to $19.99 per month.
The Xbox Game Pass price increase, a $3 hike to be exact, follows a previous price adjustment just over a year ago, where the rates were raised by $1 to $2 per month. The Ultimate tier remains the most comprehensive option, offering access to a wide range of games across console, PC, and cloud, along with exclusive perks and early access to new titles.
PC Game Pass subscribers are also affected by this Xbox Game Pass price increase. The monthly fee for PC Game Pass will rise from $9.99 to $11.99. Unlike the Standard tier, PC Game Pass will continue to include day-one access to first-party titles, maintaining its appeal to dedicated PC gamers who value immediate access to the latest releases.
Xbox Game Pass price increase comes when Microsoft is gearing up to add major titles to its Game Pass service, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. The inclusion of such high-profile games is likely a significant factor driving the price hike, as Microsoft aims to balance the cost of acquiring these titles with the value offered to subscribers.
The hike is at a global scale
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass price increase and new subscription tier are not limited to the United States.
Subscribers worldwide will experience changes with the new Game Pass pricings, with Microsoft providing a detailed list of global price adjustments. This ensures transparency and allows subscribers in different regions to understand how the changes will affect them.
For existing subscribers, particularly those on the Xbox Game Pass for Console plan, there are transitional provisions.
Current subscribers can stack their subscriptions for up to 13 months from September 18th, ensuring they can lock in the existing rate for a while longer. However, new subscribers will have to wait for the introduction of the Xbox Game Pass Standard tier to sign up for a similar plan, indicating a phased rollout of the new pricing structure.
What about the Xbox Game Pass Standard tier?
In addition to the Xbox Game Pass price increase, Microsoft is launching a new subscription tier known as Xbox Game Pass Standard. This tier, set to debut in the coming months, will be priced at $14.99 per month. Unlike the existing options, Xbox Game Pass Standard will not include day-one access to first-party Xbox games. This means that while subscribers will still have access to a robust library of games, they will need to wait longer to play new releases from Microsoft’s in-house studios.
The shift that came with the Xbox Game Pass price increase indicates Microsoft’s intent to cater to different segments of the gaming market, providing options that suit varying preferences and budgets. The Standard tier’s $14.99 price point positions it as a middle-ground option, potentially attracting new subscribers who find the Ultimate tier’s cost prohibitive but still want more than what the basic Console subscription offers.
Featured image credit: Microsoft Xbox
