Windows Central: Xbox Game Pass is getting MAJOR changes, with a new tier without day one games, and a range of price increases

    Posted by Fidler_2K

    37 Comments

    1. * Soon, Xbox Game Pass for console will be shuttered for new users only. Those already using Game Pass console with existing subscriptions will not be required to cancel.
      * Users currently on Xbox Game Pass for console will be allowed to maintain their subscription, as well as day one games.
      * New users on Xbox Game Pass in the near future will be greeted by a new Xbox Game Pass “Standard.” This is more like EA Access, which includes Xbox’s back catalogue, and doesn’t include day one games. This will be priced at $14.99 per month, and will also include Xbox Live Gold for multiplayer (now known as Game Pass Core, confusingly). It doesn’t include Xbox Cloud gaming. Game Pass Standard is launching in September.
      * Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will not be changed, but it will get a price increase. It will still include PC Game Pass, day one games, and hundreds of back catalogue titles, as well as cloud gaming. But, it is getting a price increase. The new price will be $19.99 per month.
      * PC Game Pass is also getting a price increase, from $9.99 per month to $11.99.
      * Xbox Game Pass Core (Xbox Live Gold multiplayer) gets an annual price increase to $55.99 from $49.99, but it will remain $9.99 per month.

    2. MolotovMan1263 on

      Its become very clear that if Xbox says something to deflect common sense outcomes (people still buy games, first party will always launch on Gamepass), it will in time become the opposite.

      An increase was expected, but a tier without Day 1 games is a clear admission to the failure of that particular benefit for the business.

      Perception is indeed reality

    3. Tyler1997117 on

      To no surprise at all.. people should’ve been expecting this the moment COD got announced day one on gamepass

    4. Im2oldForthisShitt on

      Sucks but the price has not increased much above the rate of inflation since GPU first came out. Combine that with the $80b worth of studios/IPs they’ve made since then, I still find it a great deal.

    5. >will also include Xbox Live Gold for multiplayer (now known as Game Pass Core, confusingly).

      Their insistence on conflating Xbox Live Gold with Xbox Game Pass Core is the only confusing thing here. They are two completely different services whose only commonality is the inclusion of online multiplayer.

      Time to move on and stop trying to create confusion and drama.

    6. Ok-Confusion-202 on

      Not surprising really, but will it get another increase at some point? I really don’t think Gamepass is the system seller everyone says it is

      Edit – Wait am I reading this correctly? No day one games unless you have Ultimate? Jesus, idk how they are going to spin that one, they were so happy to shout “Games Day 1 one Gamepass” from the roofs

      Also, Xbox please stop making everything confusing

    7. TheMuff1nMon on

      This is horrible. I’d rather not have COD. I’d rather get rid of EA Play or cloud.

      Let us customize!

    8. Otaku_Instinct on

      Xbox Console Users kinda getting shafted here, there should be a PC GamePass equivalent tier for console. Would much rather have the Standard tier include Gold + Day One games but no EA Access, Cloud Gaming or PC GamePass, I barely use those aspects in GPU anyway. Now it’s either all or nothing if you want day one games.

    9. PikachuAndLechonk on

      Reminds me why I prefer to own my games. 240 bucks a year and if I cancel I lose everything. I’ll stick to no subscription since I don’t play online and I’ve been buying like 3-4 first party games a year anyway.

    10. Designer_Fondant_541 on

      Wait, PC have day one games for 12$ and console gamer must pay 20$ for day one? Really MS? FO

    11. I love game pass, but I also buy a good number of the games that I play. At some point the math doesn’t work out compared to how much I can actually* play. If it wasn’t for paid online play, I would almost certainly be out.

      This isn’t a knock on game pass, only a look that situationally it can price itself out of being the no-braniner that is has been for many to date.

      Now toss in a WoW sub and some stuff like that, and I’ll pay for an even higher tier. Again, it comes down to value and what one person can realistically play.

    12. Paying for Xbox Live is what eventually has pushed me more into PC gaming. It’s ridiculous to be charged for such a basic, and almost necessary, requirement these days. Especially so because I can play all basically any multiplayer Xbox game on PC without having to pay the extra fee.

      I’d be more willing to pay for something like the basic Game Pass tier if I didn’t also have to pay extra for the multiplayer functionality.

    13. rrrrrrrr3434343 on

      time to stack 3 years / horde codes before theyre totally gone from retailers and cdkeys ect

    14. Okay so I have 3 years of Game pass core ultimate codes but I can’t use them until September 25th when my current sub expires. How boned am I? It’s saying 13 months for console can be stacked but can I still stack 2 years ultimate on pc?

    15. $14.99 for standard is absolutely wild and only there to try and upsell people to ultimate/soften the blow when ultimate gets another price hike down the road.

    16. chrisandy007 on

      So my Game Pass Ultimate ends tomorrow – I have two years of Xbox Gold purchased.

      I am assuming the conversion rate will be slightly less favorable (not 3:2 but something lower) but it still will be the cheapest way forward? Also seems like only worth getting two years of Xbox Gold now since they are capping it at 13 months?

    17. -Accident-Prone- on

      This is expected when there is no growth on the console side. For me personally, I just prefer to buy my games regardless so I don’t use gamepass but I hope they continue to add value if they are upping the price.

    18. >From September 12, 2024, Microsoft will only allow users to stack Xbox Game Pass for Console users for up to 13 months, using pre-paid cards and the like, which will continue to function. If you have more than 13 months stacked already, you won’t be impacted.

      This is a massive bummer, I’ve always been able to reup to three months through various competitions/promos/rewards/deals. It now means that those become essentially worthless.

    19. ACCESSx_xGRANTED on

      we all knew this would happen, but the fact that they did all this before they could manage to finally start rolling out a steady stream of AAA content to justify it, is hilarious.

    20. Born2beSlicker on

      PC Game Pass gets day 1 games. Xbox Game Pass standard does not. We continue to be second class citizens on our own console.

    21. because of call of duty. as soon as they bought activision i knew they will increase the price. i buy gp via 3rd party sites. its much cheaper but at one point im out if the price increase is too much.

      edit: i read the article now and apparently only gamepass ultimate will get day1 games. the standard gamepass wont get day1 games anymore. also in 2 months its not possible to stack gamepass more than 13 months (open window for future price increases)

      gamepass standard: 15$ (no day1 games,no cloud,no ea,xbox multiplayer)

      gamepass ultimate: 20$ (day1 games,xbox multiplayer,ea,cloud)

      pc gamepass: 12$ (will still get day1 games)

    22. crazydiavolo on

      Meh. A new tier for COD would be better tbh, or like someone here said, allow to customize sub and pay accordingly.

      Brazil Xbox players got fucked big time btw. They limited how much we can get from stacking to 13 months. This sucks ass.

    23. MidianDirenni on

      Well they passed the cost of CoD down to everyone and I won’t pay for it anymore. I’ll just buy the games I want or resort to other means – as many others will, too

    24. This is so confusing, so if I want Day One, Back Catalogue and MP I’m forced into Ultimate even though I never play games on my PC?

    25. QuestionThePenguin on

      Well I just loaded up on ultimate for three years. If that’s your bag, CDKeys currently has 1 & 3 month codes for 33-38% off.

    26. when they acquired both bethesda and then activision, I knew a price increase was coming and I said 20 dollars is my max.

      If they ever increase it more, I’m out.

    27. I’m subbed to GPU until March 2025.

      Is there a way for me to stack onto my current sub?

    28. The Game Pass changes punish Xbox console users even more.

      MS is pushing the play where you want narrative for a while now, but console players needing to pay for online while PC players dont was always stupid especially if youre buying games on the MS store on PC.

      Before I continue I understand that MS doesnt want to lose the monthly sub income no matter what, but with the Game Pass changes they are pushing it too far.

      I dont have a problem with a price increase in general BUT PC users now get the mostly full Game Pass experience for 11,99 while console users have to pay 14,99 for a worse Game Pass experience without day one releases.

      Ultimate was always mainly good for console players because you have to pay for online anyway, so why not use Ultimate, because get basically (!) are getting Game Pass for 5$ a month if youre paying for online gaming anyway.

      So yeah, Xbox is my main platform. I have around 950 digital games. But I regret it more and more that I didnt build my library on Steam and switched to PC years ago.

    29. ArcticFlamingo on

      Lol now they can’t say coming day one to gamepass. Such a mess I don’t understand, they could make it so much easier.

      Price increase sucks, I don’t really think gamepass is worth it anymore, just buy your games.

      Also if you are paying attention it’s probably time to switch to PlayStation or Steam if you want to maintain your digital library a bit longer.. gamepass price increase.. less subs.. Microsoft sees no future, closes everything and goes 3rd party

    30. Remember when those of us who said MS would either increase the price of gamepass, or not include COD as a day one release on the standard tier were downvoted and told it wouldn’t happen? 😂😂😂😂😂😂

    31. VIETLONG2000 on

      I really regret getting both of the new consoles this generation. I should’ve just spent that money towards building a good gaming PC. We’ve somehow reached a point where it’s more convenient to have a PC when it comes to buying games and playing online with friends. Steam sales are readily available, and the lack of monthly subscription services is really enticing. Especially when most people are already probably subscribed to other services for streaming or music.

      At least I know for sure now that this is the last time I spend money on a console.

    Leave A Reply