Microsoft has announced a significant overhaul of its popular Xbox Game Pass subscription service, introducing three distinct tiers: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. This strategic move aims to offer players more flexibility, choice, and value, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Effective immediately, existing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will see a price adjustment, increasing from $19.99 to $29.99 per month. This follows a previous price hike last year. The rebranding includes the former Xbox Game Pass Core being renamed Xbox Game Pass Essential, and the Standard plan now known as Xbox Game Pass Premium.
Dustin Blackwell, director of gaming and platform communications at Microsoft, highlighted that all three new tiers will feature expanded game libraries, including PC titles across the board.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
The Ultimate tier now comes with a higher price tag of $29.99 per month. Key improvements include access to over 400 titles globally, with an addition of 45 new games on October 1st, including Hogwarts Legacy. Subscribers can also expect approximately 75 day-one releases annually, a 50% increase from previous offerings. The plan also incorporates Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew starting November 18th, alongside enhanced features like 1440p resolution support for select games. Additionally, Ultimate members can now earn up to $100 per year through the rewards program.
Xbox Game Pass Premium
Priced at $14.99 per month, the Premium tier offers access to over 200 games on both Xbox and PC, featuring titles like Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy. A significant perk is unlimited cloud gaming access, meaning a separate Ultimate subscription is no longer required for Xbox Cloud Gaming. Premium members can also earn up to $50 annually through the rewards program, which includes in-game benefits for popular titles like League of Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone.
Xbox Game Pass Essential
The most accessible tier, Xbox Game Pass Essential, is available for $9.99 per month. It boasts a library of over 50 titles, doubling the previous Core offering, and also includes unlimited cloud access. Essential subscribers can earn up to $25 per year via the rewards program.
PC Game Pass
The PC Game Pass subscription price has also been adjusted, increasing from $11.99 to $16.49 per month. While PC Game Pass subscribers will not receive Ubisoft+ Classics, they will gain access to approximately 50 additional Ubisoft titles within their PC Game Pass subscription.
Microsoft is also anticipated to adjust its Xbox console prices in the United States in the near future.