Microsoft has announced a significant price increase across its Xbox Game Pass tiers, marking one of the largest hikes since the service launched in 2017. The company says the changes are intended to give players “more flexibility, choice, and value,” though the move has sparked frustration among subscribers.
New pricing across all tiers
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: rising from $19.99/£14.99 to $29.99/£22.99 per month.
- Xbox Game Pass Standard (now renamed Premium): up from $11.99/£9.99 to $14.99/£10.99.
- Xbox Game Pass Core, now rebranded as Essential: set at $9.99/£6.99.
- PC Game Pass: increasing from $11.99/£9.99 to $16.49/£13.49 per month.
What’s included with the higher price
Microsoft points to new benefits included with the subscription:
- Fortnite Crew membership (valued at $11.99/month).
- Ubisoft+ Classics (valued at $7.99/month).
- Enhanced Xbox Cloud Gaming quality.
- Access to 75+ day-one game releases per year, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
The company says these additions expand the service’s appeal, emphasizing that Game Pass continues to see record engagement from both players and developers.
Player concerns and technical issues
Not all players welcomed the announcement. Some users attempting to adjust or cancel their subscriptions have reported problems accessing Microsoft’s website and app.
The timing also follows news of another price increase, this time for Xbox Series X|S hardware in the U.S., with consoles rising between $20 and $70 depending on the model.
Market context
Recent research highlights Xbox’s engagement advantage over its main rival: in August 2025, Xbox players averaged 5.7 different games played per month, compared to 3.7 games among PlayStation users. Microsoft is likely hoping that Game Pass’s expanded library and bundled perks will reinforce that momentum — though the steep price rise may test player loyalty.
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