Xbox Game Pass gets a major overhaul, and not necessarily for the better

Microsoft is about to change its Xbox Game Pass service forever. One of the popular subscription tiers is being scrapped, while prices are soaring across the board.

The changes will affect all users, although those currently subscribing to Xbox Game Pass for Console will be impacted most – the tier is being ditched entirely in favour of a new Xbox Game Pass Standard plan.

The main difference between them is that the new tier will not get new games on day one – that will be exclusive to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate going forward.

Existing Xbox Game Pass for Console members will be able to stick with that plan for the time being, including access to day one releases, but new members will no longer be able to sign up to it.

In addition, if subscribers on that tier fail to renew their payments (ie. aren't on automatic payment) they will lose that membership and will be required to sign up to the new plan or one of the others.

Xbox Game Pass Core, PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will remain with the same benefits as before, but prices are rising for each.

As of today, Wednesday 10 July 2024, new members will be charged more.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs £14.99 / $19.99 / €17.99 per month – a raise of £2 in the UK and $3 / €3 in the US and EU respectively.

PC Game Pass now costs £9.99 / $11.99 / €11.99 per month, and a 12-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Core will now set you back £55.99 / $74.99 / €69.99.

Existing members to each of those tiers will continue to pay the current, lower prices until 12 September 2024.

Players will be able to stack codes for Xbox Game Pass for Console for up to 13 months.

What do you get with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?

Clearly, the best deal available is still via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Although its has raised in price for new members, it offers 100s of games, all Xbox's own new releases on day one – including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – and some from third-parties, Xbox Cloud Gaming access, PC Game Pass, EA Play, and online play privileges. You also get exclusive discounts on the Xbox Store.

Xbox recently launched Xbox Cloud Gaming on Amazon Fire TV Sticks, so you can play full versions of games on your TV via the Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max – you just need a Bluetooth controller.

We suspect it'll arrive on other streaming devices soon, too. So, these price rises are no coincidence considering the player pool could increase significantly soon.

For us, the best way to play Xbox games is still on an Xbox Series X. But who knows what the future will bring? One thing's for sure, it'll be a touch more expensive.