Microsoft recently confirmed a significant price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, boosting the monthly cost by 50% from $20 to $30. However, savvy shoppers can still avoid the new higher price. Several major retailers, including GameStop, have decided to maintain the original $20 price point for their in-store and online customers, at least for now.
GameStop is currently offering one-month Game Pass Ultimate memberships for $20 and three-month subscriptions for $60. This is likely a temporary promotion, so it’s wise to take advantage of these savings sooner rather than later. GameStop Pro members can enjoy an even better deal, with one month costing just $19 and three months for $57 (membership costs $25 annually).
Other major retailers are following suit. Amazon continues to list Game Pass Ultimate at $20 per month or $60 for three months. Walmart, Target, and Best Buy are also maintaining these lower prices.
It’s worth checking various online stores, as many independent retailers are offering Game Pass Ultimate for $20 or even less for a one-month subscription. Always compare prices before committing to the new, increased rate directly from Microsoft.
Predictably, Microsoft’s decision to hike Game Pass Ultimate prices sparked widespread negative reactions from the gaming community. This increase comes on the heels of previous console price adjustments, adding to consumer frustration.
While price adjustments for subscription services are a common strategy (starting low to attract users and then increasing as the subscriber base grows), a 50% jump for Game Pass Ultimate was still a shock to many, even considering the recent additions like Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics.
PC Game Pass is also seeing an increase, moving from $12 to $16.50 per month. Fortunately, prepaid codes for PC Game Pass can still be found at the previous, lower price on platforms like Amazon. It’s also worth noting that Game Pass Core and Game Pass Standard are being rebranded as Game Pass Essential ($10/month) and Game Pass Premium ($15/month) respectively, with no immediate price increases announced for these specific tiers.
In the future, some industry experts anticipate Microsoft might introduce a more affordable, ad-supported Game Pass tier to attract an even wider audience. Despite recent price changes, Game Pass remains a highly profitable venture for Microsoft, having recently surpassed $5 billion in annual revenue for the first time.