Microsoft`s popular Xbox Game Pass subscription service is undergoing its most significant transformation yet, with a comprehensive restructuring of its tiers and, for many, a notable jump in price. The flagship Game Pass Ultimate is now set at a hefty $30 per month, a 50% increase from its previous $20. This change, which quietly took effect on October 1st, precedes the anticipated launch of the next Call of Duty title, a move that hardly seems coincidental.
This isn`t just about Ultimate, however. Microsoft has revamped its entire Game Pass ecosystem, renaming existing tiers and subtly adjusting their offerings. The company`s justification? More “flexibility, choice, and value.” A sentiment that undoubtedly rings with a unique blend of promise and price tag for subscribers.
A New Era of Tiers: What`s Changing?
The old “Core” and “Standard” designations are out, replaced by a more refined (and perhaps more premium-sounding) lineup:
- Xbox Game Pass Essential (formerly Core): This entry-level tier remains at $10/month. While its price holds steady, it now boasts unlimited cloud gaming, online multiplayer, a catalog of 50+ games, and crucially, all titles are now fully playable on PC, expanding its reach beyond consoles.
- Xbox Game Pass Premium (formerly Standard): Priced at $15/month, this tier also retains its previous cost. Subscribers now gain access to an expanded library of over 200 titles across both console and PC. Recent high-profile additions include Diablo 4 and Hogwarts Legacy. Premium members can also expect Microsoft`s first-party games within a year of their launch, though notably, Call of Duty titles are excluded from this benefit. Unlimited cloud gaming and new in-game benefits for titles like League of Legends are also part of the package.
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: The star of the show, now $30/month. This tier is touted as receiving the “biggest upgrade yet,” a phrase that must carry considerable weight to justify a 50% price leap.
- PC Game Pass: A standalone offering for PC gamers, this service also sees a price increase, moving from $12/month to $16.50/month. It continues to offer day-one access to new Microsoft titles, including future Call of Duty releases.
Unpacking the “Biggest Upgrade Yet” for Ultimate
For those considering the new $30 Ultimate tier, Microsoft is keen to highlight the added value designed to soften the blow of the price increase. The enhancements include:
- More Day-One Games: An ever-growing promise that the latest titles will be available from day one.
- Fortnite Crew Inclusion: Starting November 18th, Ultimate subscribers will get access to Fortnite Crew, a package valued at $12/month, which includes the latest Battle Pass, 1,000 V-Bucks monthly, and other in-game perks.
- Ubisoft+ Classics Integration: Another significant addition, Ubisoft+ Classics, typically priced at $16/month, is now bundled into Ultimate. This offers a substantial library of Ubisoft titles across PC, console, and cloud.
- Enhanced Cloud Gaming: Xbox Cloud Gaming has officially shed its “beta” label, now offering “best quality streaming” at up to 1440p resolution and promising “shortest wait times.” A move that suggests Microsoft is serious about its cloud ambitions.
- Expanded Rewards Program: Ultimate members gain improved perks, including up to 30% value on select Game Pass games, 4x points on purchases, 10% back in points on library titles, and up to 20% off select Game Pass games.
The Value Proposition: A Gamer`s Dilemma?
Microsoft`s strategy is clear: bundle high-value third-party subscriptions like Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics into Ultimate to make the $10 price jump appear as an acquisition of value rather than just an increased cost. On paper, the combined value of these new additions ($12 for Fortnite Crew + $16 for Ubisoft+ Classics = $28) could be argued to exceed the $10 price hike.
However, the real question for consumers is whether these bundled services align with their gaming habits. If you`re an avid Fortnite player and also enjoy Ubisoft`s back catalog, the new Ultimate tier might indeed offer compelling value. But for those who don`t utilize these specific services, the price increase might feel less like an “upgrade” and more like an unavoidable premium for features they neither want nor need. It`s a classic subscription service conundrum: are you paying for choice, or are you paying for Microsoft`s choice for you?
With the next Call of Duty poised to potentially join the service, and a burgeoning cloud gaming ecosystem, Microsoft is undeniably investing heavily in Game Pass. The challenge now lies in convincing its diverse subscriber base that this “evolution” of Game Pass offers universal value, even at $30 a month for the ultimate experience. For many, the calculation just got a lot more interesting – and expensive.
Callum Darby