Microsoft is making gigantic changes to its Xbox Game Pass service, including raising the prices of some bundles while eliminating others and adding entirely modern options, turning what was once an easy-to-understand and arguably the best deal in gaming into a confusing and exorbitant mess.
On July 9, people began sharing emails from Xbox that appeared to reference an upcoming price hike for Game Pass subscribers in September. Wario64 shared this message on X (formerly Twitter)). Shortly thereafter, Central windows confirmed that there will be a price enhance for Game Pass Ultimate, along with a number of other changes. One of the biggest is the news that Xbox is introducing a modern plan that will replace the Game Pass console tier. This modern plan, which will be known as Standard, will no longer include day-one game releases.
Xbox has already published a FAQ section on the official support page where all the changes are explained and it’s kind of a mess. Here are the highlights:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the U.S. will enhance from $17 per month to $20 per month. This pricing change will begin for modern subscribers on July 10 and go into effect for existing members in September.
- Xbox Game Pass for Console, a cheaper alternative to Game Pass Ultimate that didn’t include PC games or EA Play titles, is going away. That plan will be replaced for modern users in the “coming months” by Game Pass Standard. That plan will cost $15 per month in the U.S. Users who currently subscribe to Xbox Game Pass for Console will be able to remain on the plan without any changes.
- Xbox also confirmed that this modern Standard Game Pass This tier will not include modern games on day one, which has been standard for Game Pass since its inception.
- Microsoft says some Game Pass editions will be “day-one” deals at last be shared Game Pass Standard subscribers at a later date.
- Starting September 12, 2024, Xbox will no longer allow users to accumulate prepaid Game Pass for Console cards beyond 13 months. Those who have already exceeded this limit will not be affected.
- PC Game Pass will enhance in price from $10 to $12. PC subscribers will still receive games on launch day, according to Windows Center.
- The annual price of Xbox Game Pass Core, also known as Xbox Live Gold, will enhance from $60 to $75. The monthly price of $10 will remain the same.Xbox Game Pass Standard includes the base version. Yes, this is confusing.)
That’s a lot of changes that turn Game Pass into a disordered and hard-to-decipher subscription service with more tiers and caveats. It reminds me of the awful and confusing state PS Plus after Sony revamps the service in 2022.
Honestly, at this point it might be necessary check the chart and FAQs to find out if your plan is changing, what is changing, and how much it will cost you. It is also very compelling that these price changes take place in September, just before Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available on the website in October.
My city contacted Xbox about changes to Game Pass.
