Radical changes are coming to Xbox Game Pass: Microsoft’s subscription service is not only getting a complete overhaul, but also a hefty price increase. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will now cost $29.99 a month instead of $19.99, while two new tiers, Essential and Premium, are being introduced.

In a surprise move, Microsoft announced a major update to Xbox Game Pass, now offered in three distinct tiers: Xbox Game Pass Essential, Xbox Game Pass Premium, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The Ultimate plan, however, will see its price jump from $19.99 to $29.99 per month.

According to Xbox Wire, the new Essential and Premium plans will replace the current Game Pass Core and Game Pass Standard subscriptions. Core subscribers will automatically transition to Essential, while Standard subscribers will move to Premium. “This is all part of our commitment to giving players more choice, no matter how or where they play,” said Microsoft.

The new pricing is as follows:

• Xbox Game Pass Essential – $9.99/month
• Xbox Game Pass Premium – $14.99/month
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – $29.99/month (previously $19.99)

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – What’s Included?

• Access to 400+ games on Xbox, PC, and the cloud (including 45 available today).
• Over 75 new releases each year.
• Includes Fortnite Crew subscription (from November 18).
• Includes Ubisoft+ Classics subscription.
• Best streaming quality and fastest load times in Cloud Gaming.
• Earn up to $100 annually in Xbox Store credit via Rewards (100,000 points). Up to 30% off select titles, 4x points on certain purchases, 10% back on add-ons.

Xbox Game Pass Premium – What You Get

• Access to 200+ games on Xbox, PC, and compatible devices (including 40 new titles today).
• New Xbox titles one year after release (excluding Call of Duty).
• Unlimited Cloud Gaming, including player-owned titles.
• In-game extras in League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Rainbow Six Siege X.
• Earn up to $50 annually in Xbox Store credit (50,000 points), double points on purchases, 5% back on add-ons.

Xbox Game Pass Essential – Core Features

• Access to 50+ games on Xbox and PC.
• Unlimited Cloud Gaming.
• In-game perks in League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Overwatch 2.
• Earn up to $25 annually in Xbox Store credit (25,000 points), plus points on purchases.

Microsoft argues that the changes, including the price hike for Ultimate, are justified by expanded PC access and larger game libraries across all tiers. “What’s new for all subscribers is that every plan now includes a bigger library with PC titles” said Dustin Blackwell, Microsoft’s director of gaming communications, to The Verge. “Unlimited Cloud Gaming is also new for Essential and Premium.”

Source: 3djuegos