Microsoft Is Increasing Xbox Game Pass Pricing Worldwide, Announces a Cheaper ‘Standard’ Plan

Microsoft has just announced a series of changes to Xbox Game Pass, its subscription service that provides access to a catalog of games, enables online multiplayer mode, and offers a series of benefits including purchase discounts.

The company said it will adjust the pricing of Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Core, and PC Game Pass globally. Additionally, Game Pass for Console is no longer accepting new members.

Let’s delve into the specifics of these price changes.

New Xbox Game Pass Pricing

If you’re currently subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Game Pass Core, or PC Game Pass, the price increase won’t affect you yet. Microsoft will apply the new prices to your next billing cycle after September 12, 2024.

However, new subscribers who sign up on or after July 10, 2024, will have to pay the updated rates.

Below is a table with the updated prices in the U.S.

New Xbox Game Pass Prices in the U.S.

As we mentioned before, Microsoft has decided to discontinue Xbox Game Pass for Console. This means that the company is no longer accepting new members. However, if you currently have an active subscription with automatic payment renewal enabled, you’ll still be able to use it.

Say Hello to the New Xbox Game Pass Standard

The announcement includes a new plan called Xbox Game Pass Standard. As the name suggests, this isn’t Microsoft's most comprehensive (or expensive) option. The main difference from the other tiers is that it won’t include games from launch day.

Xbox Game Pass Core is another tier that doesn’t include games from launch day. This means, for instance, that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will only be available on launch day (later this year) through Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass for Console tiers.

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The new Xbox Game Pass Standard will include all the benefits of Game Pass Core, including online multiplayer, offers and discounts, and a catalog of “hundreds of high-quality games.”

Microsoft hasn’t announced a specific release date yet, except that the new subscription plan will be available “in the coming months” at a price of $14.99.

Image | Microsoft

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