Microsoft reshapes Xbox Game Pass with a price increase and tier revamp
Microsoft has announced another round of changes to Xbox Game Pass, combining a price rise with a reorganization of the service’s tier names. In a post on the official Xbox Blog, the company outlined a three-tier structure, swapping Core for Essential and Standard for Premium, while Ultimate remains the top option with several notable adjustments. The adjustments come amid broader price moves across Microsoft’s hardware and software lineup, including the Xbox Series X price increase.
New naming, new tiers, and what changes at a glance
The core idea is straightforward: three tiers with expanded libraries and new or enhanced benefits. The Core tier has been renamed Essential, while Standard becomes Premium. Ultimate continues as the premium offering, but with important changes that align the package with the latest gaming features and partnerships.
Game Pass Essential (formerly Core)
Price: $9.99 per month. Includes a library of more than 50 games (up from roughly 25 previously), unlimited cloud gaming, access on PC in addition to console play, online multiplayer, and a Rewards program that can earn up to $25 per year for Microsoft store purchases. Essentials aim to offer a broad starter library without requiring the higher price of Premium or Ultimate.
Game Pass Premium (formerly Standard)
Price: $14.99 per month. Boasts a library of more than 200 games across Xbox and PC, unlimited cloud gaming, and the previously cloud-only feature now broadly available to Premium members. In addition, Premium includes access to Xbox Studios titles within a year of release (excluding Call of Duty), in-game perks for popular titles like League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Rainbow Six Siege, and Rewards of up to $50 per year. This tier blends a large catalog with platform flexibility and extra perks.
Game Pass Ultimate
Price: $29.99 per month (a notable increase from $19.99). Ultimate remains the flagship tier, offering a library of more than 400 games, with a commitment to more than 75 first- and third-party titles available on day one each year (the service had about 50 in prior years). In addition to a strong cross‑play library and cloud improvements, Ultimate now includes: higher-fidelity cloud gaming, access to Ubisoft+ Classics, EA Play, and Fortnite Crew (starting November 18) with its own set of benefits such as the Fortnite Battle Pass and monthly V‑Bucks. The tier also adds enhanced cloud quality, including higher bitrates and stability, and Rewards up to $100 per year.
PC Game Pass and console pricing in context
Microsoft also adjusted pricing beyond console gaming. PC Game Pass rises from $11.99 to $16.49 per month, reflecting the expanded library on PC and the broader Ubisoft additions that supplement the catalog. In the broader hardware market, the Xbox Series X price moved to $649.99, effective October 3. These shifts signal a strategic pivot to larger‑scale content partnerships and a wider set of cloud and cross‑platform features across the ecosystem.
What this means for players
For players evaluating value, the decision hinges on how much you value library size, cross‑platform access, and extra perks. If you primarily play on console with a moderate game lineup, Essential offers a cost‑effective entry with a growing catalog. If you want the broadest access across PC and console, along with cloud advantages and ongoing perks, Premium presents a compelling middle ground. Ultimate remains the most expansive option, particularly for those who want the richest day-one lineups, ongoing Ubisoft+ and EA Play access, and Fortnite Crew benefits, despite the higher price.
Why the changes matter for the gaming subscription landscape
These shifts underscore a broader trend: subscription services increasingly balance larger catalogs, exclusive partnerships, and premium cloud capabilities against higher monthly costs. For Microsoft, the strategy pairs stronger first‑party content with external deals (Ubisoft+, EA Play) and cross‑platform enhancements (PC and cloud). For players, it means re‑evaluating which tier aligns with their playstyle, platform preference, and willingness to pay for added perks and day‑one releases.
Bottom line
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass price increase and tier rebranding mark a pivotal moment for the service. With Essential, Premium, and Ultimate offering distinct value propositions, players can now tailor subscriptions to their gaming habits—while the overall cost of membership continues to rise for some. Keeping an eye on titles arriving day one and the evolution of cloud features will be key for users deciding which tier fits their gaming goals.
