Xbox Game Pass Faces Backlash Over Price Hike and Tier Restructure

In a move that has sparked immediate backlash from players, Microsoft has officially revealed a major overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, including a price increase across tiers and the removal of key features from lower-tier plans. Confirmed via an announcement on the official Xbox Wire blog, the changes are set to roll out this September and mark one of the most significant shifts in the service’s history.

As per the breakdown, the current Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will jump from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. Meanwhile, the console-only Game Pass, previously priced at $10.99, is being phased out entirely and replaced by a new tier called “Xbox Game Pass Standard.” This new plan, priced at $14.99 per month, will notably exclude access to day-one game releases — a feature that many subscribers saw as the service’s primary draw.

Understandably, the community response has been swift and critical, with many players voicing their frustration on social media. On Reddit, the Xbox subreddit was flooded with posts decrying the “bait and switch,” with gamers arguing that the value proposition of Game Pass has taken a serious hit. Some subscribers threatened cancellation of their memberships, citing the increasing difficulty in justifying the monthly costs.

Microsoft has defended the changes, stating that the structure update is intended to provide more choice and sustainability for the future of the platform. In the blog post, the company emphasized that the day-one access to new titles — such as the highly anticipated “Avowed” and “Fable” reboots — will remain exclusive to the Ultimate tier.

Analysts speculate the price restructuring is tied to rising game development costs and Microsoft’s recent acquisition spree, including the high-profile addition of Activision Blizzard titles expected to hit Game Pass later in the year.

Despite the intended benefits, the immediate reaction suggests Microsoft will have a PR challenge ahead. Whether the value proposition regains momentum or alienates a portion of its user base remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: the Game Pass honeymoon phase may finally be over.