Microsoft Hikes Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription Cost by 50% - to $360 per Year

The company explained the price increase by the expanded capabilities that the plan gives to subscribers.

From October 1, Microsoft is introducing three new subscription plans - Essential, Premium, and Ultimate, which will replace the existing Core, Standard, and Ultimate. At the same time, the cost of Game Pass Ultimate has now been increased by 50%, to $30 per month. The remaining subscription levels - Xbox Game Pass Core (now Essential) and Standard (now Premium) - will retain their current prices in the US ($9.99 and $14.99 respectively), but price increases are also expected in some regions.

The cost of PC Game Pass has also been increased from $11.99 to $16.49 - almost 40%.

Microsoft explains the price increase with significant service improvements. Game Pass Ultimate now includes a Fortnite Crew subscription ($11.99/month) and Ubisoft+ Classics ($15.98/month), and also promises more than 75 games available on release day annually, which is 50% more than last year. The total cost of games in the Game Pass library exceeds $10,000, and the average Ultimate subscriber would save $550 per year by buying games separately.

All subscription levels get access to cloud gaming and expanded libraries. Premium now includes all games released on Xbox within a year of release, and the total number of projects across all levels is increasing.

In addition, subscribers can earn up to $100 per year (100,000 points) in the Xbox store by playing games, as well as receive up to 30% off select Game Pass games and points for purchases of games and add-ons.