Xbox Game Pass Price Hike Sparks Backlash as Day-One Releases Face New Restrictions

Microsoft has announced a significant shake-up to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, including a price increase and new restrictions on day-one game releases—sparking frustration across its player base.

Starting in August, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will jump from $16.99 to $19.99 per month in the U.S., while Game Pass for Console will be discontinued entirely for new members. In its place, Microsoft is introducing a new tier called “Game Pass Standard” for $14.99 monthly. This new level will include access to hundreds of older titles but will exclude the ability to play day-one releases—previously one of Game Pass’s biggest selling points.

Existing Game Pass for Console subscribers will be able to keep their current plans for now, but only if they maintain their subscription without cancellation. Once expired, users must transition to a different tier. Notably, PC Game Pass will continue to include day-one titles but will also see a price increase, going from $9.99 to $11.99 per month.

The news has not been well-received. Within hours of the announcement, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) were flooded with negative reactions from fans decrying both the price hike and the dilution of what was once seen as one of gaming’s best deals. “The whole value of Game Pass was being able to play new Xbox exclusives day one,” user GameTimeTyrant wrote on Reddit. “Now that’s being locked behind an even more expensive tier, or not available at all if you’re on console-only.”

Microsoft says the changes are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the service as costs rise and its gaming portfolio grows. With high-profile titles like “Avowed” and “Fable” on the horizon, the company may be banking on exclusive content to retain subscribers—but the structural changes are already shaking confidence.

As competition from services like PlayStation Plus intensifies, Microsoft’s gamble on price restructuring could redefine the value proposition of subscription gaming. The question remains: will players stick around, or is this the beginning of a slow exodus from Game Pass’s once-shining promise?