[Discussion] Microsoft Introduces New Pricing and Features for Xbox Game Pass

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Changes to Xbox Game Pass Price Structure

Microsoft has subtly announced alterations to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which will see monthly costs rise and some features removed. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier is being upped from $16.99 to $19.99 a month, and the more basic Xbox Game Pass Console tier at $10.99 is evolving into the Xbox Game Pass Standard for $14.99 a month. The Game Pass Standard will not retain some premium features like access to day-one releases, access to EA Play, and Xbox Cloud Gaming among others. Especially noteworthy, Microsoft has not promised the addition of titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to the Xbox Game Pass Library.

Implications of the Xbox Game Pass Changes

To play such titles on their release day or potentially at all, patrons will need to subscribe to the pricier premium Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier. The pricing adjustments come into effect for new members on July 10, 2024, and for existing members on September 12, 2024. The Xbox Game Pass for PC will also go up from $9.99 a month to $11.99, and the base-tier Xbox Game Pass Core will rise from $59.99 yearly to $74.99. Prepaid subscriptions for Xbox Game Pass for Console going forward will be capped at 13 months, any time prepaid beyond that will be honored. All price changes will be implemented worldwide.

Revised Xbox Game Pass Tiers

Details of the revised Xbox Game Pass tiers are as follows: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at $19.99 a month comes with full library access, online multiplayer, and cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass Standard at $14.99 a month will have a restricted library, online multiplayer but notably excludes day-one titles. PC Game Pass at $11.99 a month includes EA Play, with uncertainty over inclusion of day-one titles. The Xbox Game Pass for Console at $10.99 a month is only accessible to existing subscribers, offering a limited game library. Moreover, Xbox Game Pass Core at $9.99 a month provides access to around 25 games and online multiplayer.

These dynamics lead to Xbox Game Pass significantly offering less value compared to the previous year as a result of the removal of day-one titles, EA Play, and other features. Speculations around this pricing overhaul intensified since May 2024, particularly arising from Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and increased focus on cost-cutting in recent months.

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