The price hike and plan renaming
Microsoft’s announcement to raise prices for Xbox Game Pass triggered immediate reaction across Europe, including Portugal. The Ultimate plan is now priced at €26.99 per month, a roughly 50% increase that drew sharp comments from players who rely on the service for day-one access to new titles and a broad catalog. At the same time, Microsoft renamed the tiers: Core becomes Essential, and Standard becomes Premium. Both upgraded options include cloud gaming, allowing players to stream games to compatible devices without installing them locally. The company framed the changes as a step up in value, with more extras and a larger catalog to justify the higher price.
What changed in practice
In practical terms, existing subscribers face higher monthly costs when renewing, with the most noticeable jump in the flagship Ultimate tier. The renaming is mostly cosmetic, but the inclusion of cloud gaming across the renamed plans positions Game Pass as a flexible, multi-device service rather than a single console-based perk. Availability of games and streaming support can vary by country and device, but the direction is clear: more ways to play, more titles to choose from, and a price tag to match.
Cancellation surge and service hiccups
The timing of the price increase unleashed a wave of cancellations. The official cancellation page reportedly struggled under load for several hours, with many users facing loading errors or timeouts. Some managed to complete the process after retries, while others encountered stubborn issues that prevented them from leaving the service as planned. The outage underscored the intensity of the reaction to the higher prices and the importance of account management to many gamers.
Call of Duty exclusion and implications for fans
Another notable detail that circulated in the days after the announcement was the exclusion of the Call of Duty series from the Premium plan. For fans who hoped to play COD titles through the most expensive tier, this means either purchasing COD separately or staying on a tier that grants access through other means. The news reminded players that the catalog is not identical across all tiers and that some popular titles may require alternative paths.
What this means for players going forward
Responses from players have been mixed. While some are abandoning the service, many are choosing to downgrade to cheaper options rather than cancel entirely—seeking a balance between value and cost. This reaction shows that pricing changes can shift usage patterns even among committed Game Pass users. Cloud gaming and the broader library remain strong selling points for many, but the higher price points demand careful consideration of how often the service is used and which features matter most.
Microsoft’s strategy: Game Pass as a central pillar
Microsoft continues to frame Game Pass as a core pillar of the Xbox strategy, particularly as hardware sales in some regions soften. By expanding the catalog, improving cloud accessibility, and offering flexible play options, the company aims to keep players within the Xbox ecosystem even if console upgrades lag behind. Whether the move will pay off depends on how well the perceived value aligns with monthly spending, and on the service’s ability to deliver compelling first‑party releases and ongoing updates.
How to decide: stay, downgrade, or cancel
If you’re evaluating your options, start by measuring your monthly usage: do you stream often, or do you still rely on downloaded games? Compare the Essential and Premium offerings against your library and interests. Consider downgrading to Essential if cloud streaming matters to you or if you want a lower monthly commitment, and only cancel if you truly won’t use the service enough to justify the cost. Monitor discounts, bundles, or regional deals that may appear, and stay informed about any further changes in the catalog or pricing.
