Xbox Game Pass Set for Major Shakeup as Microsoft Introduces New Tier and Pricing Changes

Microsoft is preparing to overhaul its popular Xbox Game Pass subscription service, with a new lower-priced tier and a realignment of existing plans, signaling a major shift in how players access games on Xbox and PC. According to newly leaked internal documents and corroborating sources close to Microsoft, the company plans to roll out a new “Standard” tier later this year, while phasing out day-one releases for certain subscription levels—a move that could significantly impact the service’s value proposition.

The proposed Standard tier is expected to be cheaper than the current Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and will not include day-one access to Xbox Game Studios titles such as the upcoming “Avowed” and “Fable” reboots. Instead, players would need to upgrade to the Ultimate tier to continue enjoying new first-party games on release day. While pricing details for the Standard plan haven’t been officially confirmed, sources suggest it will cost less than $15 per month, with the Ultimate tier potentially seeing a slight price increase as part of the changes.

This strategic pivot appears to address growing concerns about the long-term sustainability of Game Pass, which has been praised for its $1 trial deals and generous day-one offerings. As Microsoft’s first-party output grows—following major acquisitions such as Bethesda and Activision Blizzard—the cost of subsidizing new games on launch day seems to be catching up with the model.

Gamers have taken to social media to express mixed reactions. Some see a lower-cost entry point as a win for casual players, while others are concerned about losing access to one of Game Pass’s key benefits. Game Pass currently boasts over 34 million subscribers globally, and this new restructuring could reshape how millions engage with Xbox in the future.

Microsoft has yet to formally announce the new pricing tiers, but an official announcement is expected before the end of summer, ahead of the holiday release rush. With competition heating up from services like PlayStation Plus and GeForce Now, all eyes are on Xbox as it seeks to redefine the value of its subscription platform once again.