Alas, the unmistakable value of Microsoft Game Pass has finally fallen prey to the dreaded price hike. In a move that will surely disappoint and, in some cases, confuse consumers, Microsoft has announced the raising of prices for its flagship subscription service, so buckle up if you are part of the ecosystem.
For new subscribers hoping to jump in via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, starting from July 10, it will cost you US$19.99 per month, an increase of US$3 to start. As for current subscribers, the additional cost will be added starting from September 12. Those who play on PC and are subscribed to PC Game Pass, expect to start paying US$11.99 per month instead of the usual US$9.99 to maintain access to your day-one games.
The increase in prices is predictable, but there is also another change that players will need to understand as part of the whole Game Pass transformation. A new tier called the Game Pass Standard will replace the current console-only tier in “the coming months” for US$14.99 per month, and it will no longer offer day-one access to big games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
If all of that is still wrecking your brains, Microsoft has helpfully provided all of the various revisions in pricing in a handy table, although it makes for tough reading if you were hoping to get more value out of your current subscriptions.
Whether this will make a dent in the number of subscribers remains to be seen, but Game Pass remains a core part of Microsoft’s strategy in the gaming space. Any changes, however big or small, is likely to cause waves, and ahead of the release of Black Ops 6 in October, this could very well be the first of many other changes that are on the way.
