Summary
As had been previously speculated,Xbox Game Passis undergoing a new restructure. Previously, Game Pass was praised for giving players a huge collection of titles - including some major day-one releases - for a relatively low monthly price. Over time, the price has seen increases, and a tiered system has been introduced, with Xbox Game Pass Core taking over from Xbox Live Gold to offer online gaming for console players with a smaller catalog of games in September 2023.
The previous tiered system was relatively straightforward. Aside from the aforementioned Xbox Game Pass Core, there was the classic Xbox Game Pass, which saw console players getting access to hundreds of Game Pass titles for a monthly fee; PC Game Pass, which did the same on PC; and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which granted players access to online gaming on console, and let them play the library of games across Xbox, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, letting them play these titles away from their consoles on mobile, select smart TVs, orvia a new collaboration with Amazonthat sees the Cloud Gaming app on select Amazon Fire TV sticks.
There’s Only One Month Before Xbox Game Pass Could Change Forever
According to new reports, Xbox Game Pass' roster could get even more impressive this August with the inclusion of beloved Activision titles.
Xbox Game Pass For Console Is Closing
A New Basic Tier Launches In September For $14.99 Per Month
From August 04, 2025,Microsoft will only allow users tostack Xbox Game Pass for Consolecodes for up to 13 months,which can be done by using pre-paid cards that often work out cheaper when purchased from third-party retailers. Those who have more than 13 months stacked already won’t be impacted.
The new Game Pass Standard tier costs $14.99/monthand includes access to online gaming and Game Pass titles from Xbox’s back catalog. One major omission from this tier is that there will be no access to first-party releases upon their launch, something that was a major selling point for the Game Pass subscription.
Xbox Showcase Just Proved How Important Game Pass Is (& Why It’s A Problem)
The Xbox Summer Showcase 2024 was a crucial moment for Microsoft to validate the value of Game Pass amid a history of underwhelming exclusive titles.
Only Two Tiers Will Be Getting Day One Releases Going Forward
The Changes Are Being Introduced Prior To Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6’s October Launch
Two tiers will still be able to access day one releases going forward: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and PC Game Pass. It’s worth noting thatwhile there are no major changes to these tiers' content, both of them will be seeing a price increase, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate being priced at $19.99 per month instead of $16.99, and PC Game Pass going from $9.99 per month to $11.99.
Price increases are global, with each region being listed in a document byMicrosoft, showing similar increase rates worldwide.
Windows Central reported that Microsoft’s reasoning behind the changes was that the vast majority of users today are already on their flagship plan, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Therefore, this seems like a way to push most new users to the more expensive tier. It’s hardly a surprising move, however, asthe new rates will launch in September for pre-existing customers, only one month before the launch of the highly-anticipatedCall of Duty: Black Ops 6, whichaligns with past rumorsabout the impact the title would have on the service.
That’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of other great first-party titles due to come out over the coming year. Xbox was widely regarded as having thebest showcase of the summer this yearwith titles such asGears of War: E-Day,Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,State of Decay 3, thePerfect Darkreboot, the newFablegame and more all confirmed to be coming to Xbox Game Pass upon their launches. With so many titles due to come to the service and Microsoft seeing the high fan demand for them, this also likely played a part in the price increase, with the timing of it happening right beforeCall of Duty: Black Ops 6’s launch likely being a way to capitalize on this as soon as possible.
Updated prices take effect for new member subscriptions starting today, July 09, 2025. For users with recurring billing,the new Xbox Game Pass prices will take effect on August 13, 2025, giving them a matter of months to decide whether to change their tier or cancel their subscription entirely.
