Microsoft is undertaking a substantial overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, marking a pivotal shift in its gaming strategy. The newly restructured service sees price adjustments across various tiers, complemented by an expansion in the offerings available to subscribers.
Changes in Subscription Tiers
The Game Pass Ultimate tier, previously priced at $19.99 per month, will now cost $29.99, reflecting a 50% increase. This jump in cost accompanies a broadening of Ultimate’s reach to include access to a catalog exceeding 400 titles. Among these is the integration of the Fortnite Crew package, valued separately at $11.99 monthly, along with Ubisoft+ Classics, typically priced at around $15.98 per month.
Game Pass Ultimate subscribers are poised to benefit from several enhancements. Starting November 18, members will receive the Fortnite Battle Pass and 1,000 V-Bucks each month. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to delve into over 75 launch-day titles annually. Anticipated releases such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, High on Life 2, Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2 are among the highlights. Moreover, a new system of rewards, featuring multipliers and discounts, aims to enable subscribers to earn up to $100 per year.
Expanding the PC Game Pass
For those on PC Game Pass, a pricing adjustment from $11.99 to $16.49 per month represents approximately a 38% uptick. This tier now encompasses access to an additional 50 Ubisoft titles, though it notably does not include the Ubisoft+ Classics selection.
Conversely, the Premium tier maintains its pricing at $14.99, offering over 200 games alongside unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming, supplemented by the potential to garner up to $50 annually through its rewards structure.
Introducing Game Pass Essential
The introduction of Game Pass Essential signifies a rebranding of the former Game Pass Core. This $9.99 monthly service doubles the available catalog to more than 50 games and introduces cloud gaming capabilities, with subscribers eligible to earn up to $25 annually through rewards.
Advancements in Cloud Gaming
Microsoft's ongoing commitment to innovation is further evidenced by the advancements in Xbox Cloud Gaming, which has officially exited its beta phase. With upgrades like 1440p support and improved bitrates for select games, cloud gaming is set to become a more immersive and seamless experience. All Game Pass subscribers will gain some level of cloud access, while higher-tier subscribers will enjoy priority status and reduced waiting times.
Though the outlined pricing changes apply to the U.S., Microsoft has signaled that similar adjustments will likely be implemented globally, albeit with some regional variations. Current subscribers of the now-defunct Game Pass Core will be automatically transitioned to the new Game Pass Essential service, ensuring a seamless shift to the enriched offerings.
