Since October 1, 2025, Microsoft has launched a complete overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass service, with a new pricing grid that does not go unnoticed. The most complete Ultimate subscription goes from $ 19.99 to $ 29.99 per month in the United States, a net increase of 50 %. This price change is accompanied by the launch of three new offers: Essential, Premium and Ultimate, supposed to better reflect the uses of players.
According to Microsoft, “today, we are launching three improved game pass offers, adapted to the way players play: Essential, Premium and Ultimate. Each includes an enlarged game library, including PC titles, unlimited cloud gaming, advantages at stake (including Riot Games) and an Xbox Rewards experience.
Current subscribers should not take a process: Game Pass Core users will automatically switch to the essential offer, standard subscribers to Premium, and Ultimate subscribers will keep their offer with new advantages.
Three formulas redesigned with more content … and more expenses
The new levels of the Game Pass want to offer a more flexible experience, while integrating more content and partner services. But this repositioning is accompanied by a significant price increase for the most complete offers.
- Game Pass Essential – $ 9.99 per month
Includes unlimited cloud gaming, more than 50 games, online multiplayer, advantages at stake and up to 25 dollars of annual award points. - Game Pass Premium – $ 14.99 per month
Offers more than 200 games, the cloud gaming with reduced waiting times, exclusive games in the year following their release, and up to $ 50 of annual awards. - Game Pass Ultimate – $ 29.99 per month
Offers more than 400 games, more than 75 games available from the day of their release, the EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics and now Fortnite Crew services. Subscribers can also accumulate more than $ 100 of awards per year.
Among the major innovations, the Fortnite Crew service will arrive in November. This premium service for the famous Battle Royale notably offers combat passes, V-Bucks and exclusive downloadable content.
Another remarkable addition: the release of the cloud gaming of its beta phase, now capable of reaching a resolution up to 1440p on certain compatible devices.
A decision that divides a community already under pressure
For many, this announcement is part of a general upward trend in digital subscriptions, in the same way as Netflix, Disney+ or even PlayStation Plus. Discontent is already heard among the players who wonder about the legitimacy of this increase, especially after a first price increase occurred earlier in the year.
Some subscribers point to a break in quality/price balance: additions like Fortnite Crew or Ubisoft+ Classics do not interest everyone, and the least fond of day-one new features may have the impression of paying more for options they don’t need.
Others, more optimistic, believe that this overhaul allows the Game Pass to remain competitive and attractive in an increasingly fragmented market. Microsoft says for its part: “All this is part of our commitment to accompany the players where they are, so that you can choose what suits you best, whatever your style and your place of play”.
It remains to be seen whether this strategic bet will pay in the long term, while competition on the video game market per subscription is intensifying each month.