Microsoft Launches Xbox Game Pass Standard, a New and More Affordable Subscription. We Break Down the Price, Benefits, and How to Subscribe

Gamers with a Microsoft console now have a new Xbox Game Pass subscription to consider. The company has introduced Xbox Game Pass Standard, a plan that falls somewhere between Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in terms of price and features.

Microsoft announced the new Game Pass Standard two months ago, along with a subscription price increase. This new offering should be an exciting alternative for users on a tighter budget. It offers benefits such as online multiplayer, discounts, and hundreds of games.

Xbox Game Pass Standard, a New Subscription for Consoles

Microsoft says Xbox Game Pass Standard subscribers will have access to a catalog of “hundreds of titles,” and here’s where the first difference between the other console subscriptions is evident. Users of the Core plan have access to dozens of titles, and those of Ultimate can access the most complete catalog.

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The new plan includes more than 360 games, while Ultimate has over 500 titles. To see the catalog of each plan, visit the Xbox Game Pass Games page, scroll to the bottom, and apply the appropriate filter in the menu on the left.

An important point regarding games is that the Standard plan doesn’t include new titles released on the same day. This disadvantage is also present in the Core alternative. For example, the long-awaited Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available on Oct. 25 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC.

In this case, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers and Xbox Game Pass PC subscribers (the version that doesn’t include console games) will be able to access the game from the day it launches. Users must evaluate the new plan’s pros and cons and whether it fits their needs and budget. That said, let’s take a look at the pricing.

Xbox Game Pass Standard Price

The new Xbox Game Pass Standard is now available for $14.99 per month. To give you an idea of the monthly cost of other subscriptions, the Xbox Game Pass Core is $9.99, while the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is $19.99. Xbox Game Pass for PC, meanwhile, costs $11.99. You can subscribe directly from your console or the Xbox website.

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