On Wednesday, Microsoft announced that it would again raise monthly enrollment prices for its Xbox Game Pass platform. According to a new Xbox news release, all tiers of the brand’s subscription-based digital library will see changes in some capacity. Monthly rates for the premier tier, Game Pass Ultimate, will rise 50% from $19.99 to $29.99. The brand also revealed it would rebrand and restructure its already convoluted tiers. Beginning today, Xbox Game Pass Core will become Xbox Game Pass Essential. The Standard tier will now be marketed as Xbox Game Pass Premium. Xbox shared three unique videos on its YouTube account following the announcement, each one breaking down what the Ultimate, Essential, and Premium plans will entail moving forward.
“Starting today, we’re introducing three upgraded Game Pass plans based on how players play: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate,” the news wire post reads. “Each includes expanded game libraries, including PC titles, unlimited cloud gaming, in-game benefits (including Riot Games titles), and a revamped Rewards with Xbox experience. Today’s Game Pass Core subscribers will automatically move to Essential, Standard subscribers will transition to Premium, and Ultimate subscribers will remain in the Ultimate plan.”
New Xbox Game Pass Tiers
Confusing, right? I thought so, too. Here’s what this will look like:
- Xbox Game Pass Core ($9.99) → Xbox Game Pass Essential ($9.99)
- Xbox Game Pass Standard ($14.99) → Xbox Game Pass Premium ($14.99)
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($19.99) → Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($29.99)
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Though the Ultimate plan will keep its name, its contents have changed. The refreshed Ultimate, now $29.99 per month, will include:
- 75 day-one game drops annually;
- access to Fortnite Crew (another monthly subscription-based offering);
- Ubisoft+ Classics (yet another month-to-month service);
- enhanced Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming quality (up to 1440p, they say);
- and an upgraded Rewards program, with which players can nab more points and discounts.
Ubisoft+ Classics, a service that gives gamers access to the studio’s retro library, will retail at $8 per month for those without Ultimate plans. Similarly, Fortnite Crew will cost players about $12 each month.
Xbox Game Pass Premium
“We’re now giving Premium subscribers more games than ever before,” Xbox promises in its news release, “from gaming’s biggest hits to hidden gems, now with access to 200+ games on Xbox console, PC, and supported devices, all still at $14.99.”
The new Premium games library is now playable on PC, meaning classics like Minecraft, Forza Horizon 5, and Grand Theft Auto V will be accessible on players’ personal computers. “Premium subscribers get newly added fan-favorites like Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy starting today, and new Xbox-published games within a year of their launch.” However, Xbox explicitly says this does not apply to Call of Duty releases.
Fan Reception
Unsurprisingly, fans aren’t thrilled about higher prices. The news comes not long after the brand announced its shiny new Xbox ROG Ally and Ally X handhelds, the latter of which will retail for four figures.
Shortly after the Xbox Game Pass tier announcement, gaming deal aggregator @Wario64 shared a screenshot of the Xbox Game Pass cancellation portal. “the website to cancel Xbox Game Pass subscriptions is overloaded,” the post reads. The screenshot shows the purportedly bogged-down webpage peppered with broken images.
If you’re interested in canceling your Xbox Game Pass enrollment, head to the brand’s Subscriptions page and follow the instructions based on your preferred hardware.
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