Overview: Price hike and a reshaped plan lineup
Microsoft announced a price increase for Xbox Game Pass that quickly rippled through the gaming community. The surprise jump hits especially hard in Portugal, where the Ultimate plan now costs 26.99€ per month — a rise of about 50%. In the same move, the company rebranded and tweaked the feature set of the lower tiers: the former Core plan is now called Essential, and the Standard plan has become Premium, both gaining cloud gaming access. Microsoft framed the change as a way to offer more extras and a larger catalog of games, hoping to justify the higher price with added value.
What changed in the plans
The new structure centers on cloud gaming and a broader library across tiers. Essential, formerly Core, and Premium, formerly Standard, now include cloud streaming as part of their benefits, broadening access beyond console play. The announcement also noted several improvements to the overall service experience, with the aim of making the Game Pass ecosystem more attractive to players who increasingly value flexibility and cross-device play. Notably, the Call of Duty series is said to be excluded from the Premium plan, a point that drew particular attention among fans awaiting access to recent installments.
User reaction: a site under pressure
Very soon after the news broke, many players moved to cancel their subscriptions. The official cancellation page experienced instability and slow load times for hours, a problem some users attributed to an unusually high volume of cancellations. While some managed to complete their changes after retries, others encountered persistent errors. The incident highlighted how price changes can create a moment of friction for a loyal user base, especially when coupled with a rebranding of familiar plans.
Shifting strategies: downgrades and budget-conscious moves
Although a notable portion of players considered canceling, many opted to stay by moving to less expensive options or adjusting their plans rather than leaving the service entirely. The combination of a higher price and revised benefits pushed some subscribers to evaluate whether cloud gaming and the expanded game catalog meet their needs, or if a temporary pause might be wiser. The tension between value and cost is especially salient for casual players who balance a growing backlog with a desire for ongoing access to new releases.
COD and the Premium plan: weighing the trade-offs
Microsoft’s decision to exclude the Call of Duty series from the Premium tier has amplified debates about the perceived value gap between plan levels. For fans who hoped to access COD titles through Game Pass, the exclusion means either paying separately for a COD entry or adjusting expectations about what Premium delivers today. This development underscores a broader industry challenge: balancing flagship releases with subscription economics in a way that satisfies both core players and the broader user base.
Microsoft’s strategic stance: Game Pass as the cornerstone
Despite the backlash, Microsoft reiterates its commitment to Game Pass as a central pillar of the Xbox strategy, particularly in an era when traditional console sales alone no longer define success. By expanding cloud gaming, improving catalog size, and refining plan names, the company aims to attract new subscribers while retaining existing ones amid a changing gaming landscape. The goal is to position Game Pass as an evergreen gateway to a growing library, accessible across devices and locations.
What this means for subscribers and how to respond
For current subscribers, the key is to reassess personal gaming habits and budget. Consider: does the new Essential or Premium plan still fit your playtime and preferred devices? Are the added benefits worth the price for your situation? If you’re uncertain, monitor the platform for price adjustments, promotions, or temporary trials. And if COD is a priority, weigh the cost of standalone purchases against the bundled value of Game Pass. In any case, staying informed about plan specifics and the evolving catalog will help gamers navigate the changes more effectively.
Bottom line
The Xbox Game Pass price increase in Portugal has ignited a mix of cancellations, plan rethinks, and ongoing debate about the service’s value. Microsoft’s strategic emphasis on a broader catalog and cloud play suggests a long-term bet on subscriptions as the core of the Xbox experience, even as some players opt to exit or scale back their commitments in the short term.
