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Microsoft is raising the price of Xbox Game Pass and introducing a new subscription tier that does not include day-one releases.
From July 10, the platform holder’s top Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier – which includes PC Game Pass, day one games, back catalogue titles, online play, and cloud gaming – will increase in price to $19.99 / £14.99 / €17.99 per month (up from $16.99 / £12.99 / €14.99).
PC Game Pass will also increase in price to $11.99 / £9.99 / €11.99, Microsoft announced on Tuesday, and include all current benefits, including day-one releases.
Significantly, Microsoft said that starting this week, it will retire its Xbox Game Pass for the Console tier for new users. This will soon be replaced with a new $14.99 “Standard” tier, which will include access to a back catalogue of games, and online play, but no day-one releases or cloud gaming.
“Some games available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on day one will not be immediately available with Xbox Game Pass Standard and may be added to the library at a future date,” Microsoft said.
Users currently subscribed to Xbox Game Pass for Console will be allowed to maintain their subscription, Microsoft said, including access to day one games.
However, if at any time these users turn off their automatic payment renewal and their membership lapses, they will no longer have access to Game Pass for Console and will need to join one of the other plans, it said.
Xbox’s new Game Pass tiers for console.From September 12, Microsoft will only allow users to stack Xbox Game Pass for Console users for up to 13 months, it said.
Xbox Game Pass Core (previously Xbox Live Gold, enabling online multiplayer) will receive an annual price increase to $74.99 (up from $59.99), but will remain $9.99 per month.
“We created Game Pass to offer players more choice in how they discover and play games,” Microsoft said in a statement. “That includes offering different prices and plans, so players can find what works best for them.”
This month’s price changes mark the second consecutive year Microsoft has raised Game Pass prices – months after the company dismissed suggestions that it could raise prices following its $69 billion merger with Activision Blizzard.
Later this year, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will launch day one to Game Pass, marking the first time any Call of Duty game has been included in such a service at launch.
Commenting on last year’s price rises, Kari Perez, Microsoft’s head of gaming communications, told VGC at the time: “We’ve held on our prices for consoles for many years and have adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market.”
Microsoft’s official FAQ for the Game Pass changes follows:
What is Game Pass Standard?
Xbox Game Pass Standard gives you hundreds of high-quality games to play on your console. It also features all the benefits of Game Pass Core, such as online console multiplayer and select member deals and discounts, including up to 50% off select games.
Note Game Pass Standard will not include games released on day one.
When will Game Pass Standard be available?
Xbox Game Pass Standard will be available in the coming months. We will share more information soon.
How is Game Pass Standard different from Game Pass Ultimate?
Xbox Game Pass Standard includes hundreds of high-quality games, online console multiplayer, and select member deals and discounts. In addition to having all the benefits in Game Pass Standard, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also includes day one titles, specific entries to the Game Pass Ultimate library, access to EA Play, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Perks, Quests, and discounts on games in the Game Pass library.
How is Game Pass Standard different from Game Pass Core?
Xbox Game Pass Standard includes all the benefits of Xbox Game Pass Core and has hundreds of games available for members to enjoy.
How is Game Pass Standard different from Game Pass for Console?
Unlike Xbox Game Pass for Console, online console multiplayer is included with Xbox Game Pass Standard. The Game Pass Standard library includes hundreds of high-quality games.
Note Xbox Game Pass for Console may have select titles that are not included with Xbox Game Pass Standard.
Will all console games added to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate library also be available with Xbox Game Pass Standard?
Some games available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on day one will not be immediately available with Xbox Game Pass Standard and may be added to the library at a future date.
