Overview of the overhaul
Microsoft has announced a sweeping overhaul of Game Pass, rebranding the tiers, changing prices, and altering what is included at each level. The move adds cloud gaming across all tiers and bundles extras with the top tier, Ultimate. Existing subscribers will be moved to the new structure, and in Germany that transition will require user consent because the changes affect both content and price. The changes come after a price adjustment last year and mark an ongoing shift in how the service is priced and perceived by players.
Price by tier
In the new structure, Core is replaced by Essential at 9 euros per month, Standard is replaced by Premium at 13 euros per month, and the top tier Ultimate remains, but at 27 euros per month. Across all tiers, cloud gaming is now included, expanding access to play on more devices without a separate add-on. The most noteworthy change is that the mid-tier and lower tiers lose some of their status as the primary source of new releases, a role that now largely sits with Ultimate.
Essential (replacing Core) at 9 euros
The Essential tier increases the price to 9 per month and provides a substantial library of games with cloud gaming included. It offers a solid catalog for casual players but does not carry strong promises for launching titles, which previously drew many to the middle tier.
Premium (replacing Standard) at 13 euros
Premium keeps the same foothold as a mid-range option but shifts the value proposition. With new releases no longer guaranteed at this level, players must weigh their desire for a growing library against the lower price point. Cloud gaming adds flexibility, but the headline draws around launch titles have moved to the top tier.
Ultimate at 27 euros
Ultimate remains the pinnacle, now bundled with Ubisoft Plus and Fortnite Crew. While this adds value for players who want extra content on top of a broad library, it also makes the price jump more pronounced. For many, the increase will be justified only by the added bundles and the access to first-party launches exclusively at this level.
New perks and what stays the same
A key change is that cloud gaming is included across all tiers, enabling play on devices that lack a dedicated console. In Germany, the PC Game Pass price remains at 12 euros for now, while in the United States the PC Game Pass price has risen to 16.50 dollars per month, with no equivalent level of feature upgrades announced yet. The content mix and release timing also shift, affecting how quickly new titles appear on each tier.
Release timing and value for different players
Previously, the mid tier offered many first party and partner titles at or near launch. Under the overhaul, these new releases are primarily reserved for Ultimate subscribers. Essential and Premium subscribers will see a more limited library and longer waits for new titles. For players who care most about day one launches, the new structure reduces the immediate value of the mid tier and alters the subscription calculus.
Consent and migration in Germany
Microsoft has indicated that existing Game Pass members will be moved to the new tiers. Because the changes involve both the content available and the price, the company is expected to seek consent from German customers before the changes take effect, in line with local consumer protection requirements.
Bottom line
The Game Pass pricing overhaul introduces cloud gaming across all levels and bundles extras at the top, but it also raises prices and reorders value by tier. For many players, especially those who valued day one launches from the mid tier, the new structure reduces perceived value. PC Game Pass on PC in Germany remains unchanged for now, while the broader pricing strategy signals higher costs and a need for players to reassess their subscriptions in light of the new tiered approach.
