Microsoft Raises Xbox Game Pass Prices and Launches New Standard Tier

Microsoft announced this week that it is raising prices and restructuring its Xbox Game Pass subscription services. The basic console tier is also being replaced with a new Game Pass Standard tier, which will not include day-one releases.

Microsoft’s global price hikes for Game Pass services predominantly impact subscription tiers that provide access to day-one releases. For example, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will rise by $3, jumping from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. Similarly, PC Game Pass, which includes day-one releases, will see a $2 increase from $9.99 to $11.99 per month.

According to the BBC, the increase in Game Pass prices was anticipated, particularly following the Xbox maker’s announcement in May 2024 to include Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in its Game service. Previously in 2023, Microsoft raised the cost of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for the first time since its launch, citing competitive market conditions, as reported by The Verge.

In addition to the price hike, Microsoft’s new Xbox Game Pass Standard option, priced at $14.99 per month will not include day-one titles published by Microsoft like the Great Circle and Black Ops 6. However, it will include an online multiplayer option, which is not part of the existing Xbox Game Pass Console subscription.

Subscribers using the replaced Xbox Game Pass for Console can still redeem their codes to extend their subscription, but they’ll be limited to extending it by up to 13 months at a time starting September 18, 2024. Current subscribers who already have 13 months stacked up won’t see any changes. Microsoft also announced that the Standard tier will become available to new and returning subscribers in the upcoming months.

New Xbox Game Pass Pricing and Structure

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – will now cost $19.99 per month. This tier includes day-one releases, access to full games catalog on cloud, PC, and console, online multiplayer, and EA Play.
• Xbox Game Pass Standard – The newly launched tier, priced at $14.99 per month, includes online multiplayer and access to a back catalog of Xbox Game Pass games, but does not provide access to day-one releases.
• Xbox Game Pass Core – The price remains unchanged at $9.99 per month, but the 12-month subscription has increased from $59.99 to $74.99. It includes online multiplayer and access to around 25 games.
• Xbox Game Pass for Console – Existing subscribers pay $10.99 per month, but this plan is not available to new subscribers. However, if an existing subscriber turns off automatic payments or allows their membership to lapse, they’ll lose access and will have to subscribe to other available plans. This tier includes online multiplayer and access to over 25 games.
• PC Game Pass –  will now cost $11.99 per month. It includes EA Play, access to the games library on PC, and day-one releases.

The price increase has already taken effect for new subscribers, while existing members will see the change starting September 12, 2024. However, certain countries have been exempted from this update. For detailed information on price changes for each subscription type by country, Microsoft has published a comprehensive list on its subscription and billing page.