In a significant update for gamers, Microsoft announced an overhaul of its Game Pass program, with costs seeing a notable increase.
Microsoft stated, “We know not everyone wants the same thing in their Xbox experience, so we’re evolving Game Pass to offer more flexibility, choice, and value to all players, whether you love day one releases, discovering hidden gems, or playing across multiple devices.” Here’s a breakdown of the new pricing structure:
| Service | US Price | UK Price | Australia Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $29.99 p/m | £22.99 p/m | AU$35.95 p/m |
| Xbox Game Pass Premium | $14.99 p/m | £10.99 p/m | AU$17.95 p/m |
| Xbox Game Pass Essential | $9.99 p/m | £6.99 p/m | AU$12.95 p/m |
| PC Game Pass | $16.49 p/m | £13.49 p/m | AU$19.45 p/m |
The introduction of these new tiers, namely Essential, Premium, and Ultimate, comes alongside the hike in subscription fees, with Game Pass Ultimate seeing a 50% increase from $19.99 to $29.99 per month.
This adjustment has sparked considerable backlash from gamers, who previously celebrated the affordability of the service, prompting discussions about the sustainability of such subscription models in the gaming industry.
