Xbox Raises Game Pass Prices and Introduces New Standard Tier Without Day-One Exclusives

Xbox has officially announced price increases for its Game Pass subscription service, alongside the introduction of a brand-new “Xbox Game Pass Standard” tier that will no longer include day-one access to first-party titles. The changes are expected to roll out in the coming weeks, sparking debate across the gaming community about the value of subscriptions in the evolving landscape of digital gaming.

Effective July 10, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will increase to $19.99 per month in the U.S., up from the previous $16.99, while Xbox Game Pass for Console will no longer be available for new subscribers. Instead, Xbox is debuting a new “Standard” tier priced at $14.99 per month. Unlike the current tiers, Game Pass Standard will offer a selection of games without granting access to new Xbox Game Studios titles at launch — a hallmark feature that has defined Game Pass in recent years.

Microsoft says the move is aimed at giving players more choice and flexibility, but many fans and industry analysts view the shift as a restructuring of the Game Pass model to address rising development costs and profitability concerns. While players who are already subscribed to Game Pass for Console can continue their memberships (at least for now), newcomers will have to choose between the pricier Ultimate tier or settle for the less feature-rich Standard offering.

The changes arrive as Xbox navigates a critical juncture in its content strategy. With high-profile titles like “Fable” and “Avowed” on the horizon, limiting day-one access to the Ultimate tier may prompt more users to upgrade — or prompt backlash from long-time supporters who viewed Game Pass as a pro-consumer revolution.

Notably, PC Game Pass will also see a price bump to $11.99 per month, up from $9.99. Xbox stresses that current subscribers will be notified ahead of the pricing revision and that full details about the Standard tier’s game catalog will be revealed closer to launch.

As the gaming subscription wars heat up, Microsoft’s new Game Pass tiers mark a significant pivot — one that could reshape how players engage with the Xbox ecosystem, and how much they’re willing to pay for day-one access in the future.