Microsoft has just launched their brand-new Xbox Game Pass Standard plan, which is now available for all players. If you’re looking to get into a massive catalog of games and enjoy some online multiplayer action for basically nothing, then this might just be your next favorite subscription.
So, what’s this new tier all about? Well, at $14.99 / £10.99 per month, the Game Pass Standard plan offers access to hundreds of awesome games and includes online console multiplayer. You’ll also get member deals and discounts on top of that… who doesn’t love a good deal, right? But, there’s one key thing missing: day one first-party releases and cloud gaming. Those features are still locked behind the Game Pass Ultimate tier.
Now, for those of you who might be wondering… yes, this new plan replaces the now-retired Game Pass for Console tier. It was first announced back in July and has already been tested out by Xbox Insiders, but now it’s open to everyone.
If you’re still on the fence about which plan is right for you, let me break it down. The PC Game Pass option is still there at $11.99 / £10.99 per month, and the top-tier Ultimate plan, which runs at $19.99 / £14.99 per month, includes day one Xbox titles, EA Play membership, and cloud gaming. Meanwhile, the entry-level Core tier offers a curated library of over 25 games for $9.99 / £6.99 a month, but it’s a bit more limited compared to Standard.
There’s also something you should definitely keep in mind, and that is Game Pass Standard won’t get first-party games right away. In fact, some titles could take up to 12 months to hit the library after their release. Megan Spurr, Xbox’s Senior Community Lead, made it clear in her Xbox Wire post that players should expect some delays when it comes to those day one releases that the Ultimate plan enjoys.
In the end of the day, the new Xbox Game Pass Standard plan is all about giving you more options. With this new tier, it’s going to be easier than ever to find what works best for you.
