Microsoft Revamps Xbox Game Pass with Major Changes

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Highlights

Microsoft is increasing prices for Xbox Game Pass PC and Ultimate from July 10, 2024.
Xbox Game Pass Console will be phased out, and replaced by a new Standard tier.
New Xbox Game Pass Standard tier will be introduced at $14.99 per month.

Microsoft Announces Significant Changes to Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft has unveiled several substantial changes to its Xbox Game Pass service, impacting players across all regions. Launched in 2017, Xbox Game Pass has provided millions of gamers with access to a vast library of games on both PC and Xbox consoles. Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023, speculation arose about potential adjustments to the subscription service, particularly to include games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on release day. Microsoft has now clarified what players can expect moving forward.

Price Increases for Xbox Game Pass PC and Ultimate

Starting July 10, 2024, new subscribers to Xbox Game Pass PC and Ultimate will face a price increase. Existing subscribers will experience these changes beginning September 12, 2024. Despite the price hike, the benefits of these tiers, including access to EA Play, remain unchanged. Xbox Game Pass PC will increase from $9.99 to $11.99 per month, while Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will rise from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass Core will see its annual fee increase from $59.99 to $74.99, though the monthly rate will stay at $9.99.

	Xbox Game Pass Core	Xbox Game Pass for console	Xbox Game Pass Standard	Xbox Game Pass for PC	Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Previous price	$9.99 per month / $59.99 per year	$10.99month	N/A	$9.99 per month	$16.99 per month
New price	$9.99 per month / $74.99 per year	No change for existing members	$14.99	$11.99 per month	$19.99 per month
Downloadable game library	Selection of Xbox titles	More than 100 games – consoles only	More than 100 games – consoles only	More than 100 games – PC only	More than 100 games for console and PC
Xbox Studios same-day releases	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Streaming game library	No	No	No	No	Yes
Online multiplayer	Yes	No	Yes	N/A	Yes
EA Play membership	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Microsoft store discounts	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Credits: GameRant

Phasing Out Xbox Game Pass Console

The Xbox Game Pass Console option will be discontinued starting July 10, 2024. New subscriptions will no longer be accepted, but existing subscribers can continue using the service if their accounts are set to auto-renew. Members can still utilize gift cards to extend their console subscriptions, with a new maximum limit of 13 months starting September 12, 2024.

Introduction of Xbox Game Pass Standard

A new subscription tier, Xbox Game Pass Standard, will launch in the coming months at a price of $14.99 per month. This tier will provide Xbox console gamers access to hundreds of titles from the Game Pass library and include online play, a feature absent from the previous Console tier. However, it will not offer cloud streaming or day-one releases from Microsoft.

Implications for Gamers

The new Xbox Game Pass Standard tier aims to align more closely with the recently updated Xbox Game Pass Core by including online play. However, the absence of day-one releases may disappoint some players. It’s important to note that Xbox Game Pass PC and Ultimate tiers will still offer these benefits, allowing console players to enjoy day-one releases if they maintain an active subscription.