Microsoft is reshuffling Xbox Game Pass, renaming tiers and nudging prices upwards, most painfully for Ultimate subscribers. The company announced that Core and Standard plans are being discontinued, new names are being introduced, and several features will be rolled out across tiers.
“Today’s Game Pass Core subscribers will automatically move to Essential, Standard subscribers will transition to Premium, and Ultimate subscribers will remain in the Ultimate plan,” Microsoft said.
Pricing now looks like this: Essential will cost $9.99 per month, Premium will be $14.99 per month, and Ultimate will increase from $19.99 to $29.99 per month, a 47 percent increase. PC Game Pass is rising from $11.99 to $16.49 per month.
Xbox Game Pass feature changes
Microsoft states that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be available across all tiers. Ultimate subscribers will also get over 75 day-one games per year, access to Ubisoft+ Classics, and Fortnite Crew included (Fortnite Crew costs typically $11.99 per month). PC Game Pass members will receive Ubisoft+ Classics as well.
Essential members will have a library expanded to over 50 games across PC and cloud. Premium will offer access to over 200 games, and Microsoft says new Xbox first-party titles will arrive in Premium within a year of launch.
These pricing and tier shifts directly affect subscribers across console and PC, especially anyone on Ultimate or PC Game Pass who will see higher monthly bills. Tell us what you think in the comments, and follow us on X and Bluesky.
