Microsoft revamps Xbox Game Pass plans and hikes Ultimate to $29.99 a month, marking the subscription service’s biggest price jump yet. The company is rebranding its tiers, expanding libraries, and adding PC and cloud access to give gamers more options.
This update signals a major shift in how Microsoft is positioning Game Pass, offering bigger bundles but also pushing prices higher than ever before.
Xbox Game Pass Rebrands To Essential, Premium, And Ultimate
As part of the overhaul, Xbox Game Pass Core is now called Xbox Game Pass Essential, while the Standard plan is being rebranded to Xbox Game Pass Premium.
Both Essential and Premium are gaining access to larger game libraries, including PC titles. For the first time, unlimited cloud gaming is also available for these plans — a perk that was previously reserved for Ultimate subscribers.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Jumps To $29.99 A Month
The biggest change comes to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which now costs $29.99 a month — up from $19.99. That’s a steep $10 increase, but Microsoft is promising extra value to soften the blow.
Subscribers will now have access to over 400 global titles, including blockbuster releases from major partners. The company confirmed that many developers remain committed to launching their future games on Game Pass, ensuring the library stays fresh.
To sweeten the deal, 45 new games are joining Ultimate today, including Hogwarts Legacy and a collection of popular Assassin’s Creed titles.
Why Microsoft Is Raising Prices
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has adjusted Game Pass pricing, but the scale of this increase has surprised many. The company argues that the additions of PC gaming, cloud streaming, and a much larger content library justify the higher cost.
According to Dustin Blackwell, director of gaming and platform communications at Microsoft, the move is designed to “deliver the best value across all tiers, while ensuring players have more ways to experience Xbox games across devices.”
What This Means For Gamers
For loyal Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, the new $29.99 monthly fee may sting — especially after last year’s increase. However, for players who want access to the largest library, PC integration, and cloud gaming, Ultimate still represents Microsoft’s flagship tier.
Essential and Premium now offer more balance between affordability and features, making them appealing alternatives for gamers who don’t need the full Ultimate experience.
Outlook For Xbox Game Pass In 2025
Microsoft is betting that gamers will stick with Game Pass despite the higher prices, especially as the subscription continues to add AAA titles and exclusive releases. With cloud streaming expanding, PC integration strengthening, and major publishers staying onboard, the service remains central to Microsoft’s gaming strategy.
While some fans may push back against the price hike, others will likely see the expanded value as worth the investment — especially if future day-one launches continue to land on Game Pass.
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