Xbox Rebrands Game Pass Tiers and Axes Day-One Releases from Base Plan

In a bold shakeup to its subscription offerings, Xbox has announced a significant rebranding and restructuring of its Game Pass service, marking one of the biggest changes to the program since its debut in 2017. The pivot centers around both a new naming convention and a controversial shift in access to day-one game releases.

As revealed in an official Xbox Wire post, the existing Game Pass system is being rebranded with revised tier names and adjusted benefits. Most notably, the original “Xbox Game Pass for Console” is being phased out and replaced by a new, lower-cost offering dubbed “Game Pass Standard.” Crucially, this standard tier will no longer include access to Xbox’s hallmark day-one releases, a feature that had become a defining draw of the service.

For players who have come to expect blockbuster launches like Starfield, Halo Infinite, and the upcoming Fable reboot available on day one, Xbox is now gating that premium experience exclusively behind its “Game Pass Ultimate” tier—currently priced at $16.99/month. In contrast, the Standard tier will cost $12.99/month and will continue to offer a rotating catalog of games and online multiplayer access, but won’t include day-one launches.

The move has already sparked plenty of debate across the gaming community. Critics argue that this undermines one of Game Pass’s biggest selling points and dilutes its value proposition. Supporters, however, point out that the restructured pricing could help Xbox better support developers and manage rising production costs for AAA games.

Microsoft maintains that the changes are designed to give players more flexibility and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Game Pass ecosystem. “This update reflects our commitment to delivering quality content while offering options for gamers at different levels,” Xbox head Phil Spencer stated in a press release.

Still, it’s clear that Xbox is taking a strategic—but risky—leap by segmenting one of its most beloved features. As the new tiers roll out over the coming months, eyes will be on player retention and whether fans stick with Game Pass Ultimate—or start looking elsewhere.