Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is getting more expensive worldwide, Game Pass for Console is being discontinued, and a new Standard tier will launch soon without day-one games.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will increase in price from $17 to $20 (£15/€18) per month starting today for new members and on September 12, 2024, for existing members. The new price for each country can be found here. It follows last year's price increase.
In other words: You will have to pay significantly more to get access to the full Game Pass catalogue, including day-one games, and to use Xbox cloud gaming via TV apps. This requires the Ultimate plan.
Microsoft also announced that Xbox Game Pass for Console is no longer available for new users. Existing users can continue to use it for now.
Introducing Xbox Game Pass Standard
In addition to Ultimate and PC Game Pass, Microsoft will "in the coming months" offer a new Xbox Game Pass Standard plan for $15/month.
The Standard tier will include the library of Xbox games but will not include day-one releases. The changes come just as Microsoft is about to release Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which will require the Ultimate plan.
The Standard plan also lets you play online console multiplayer, but it does not include cloud gaming support.
You can stream Xbox games to your TV – no console required – but you need the Ultimate plan. Photo: Xbox
Activision Blizzard games incoming.
The changes come as Microsoft is gearing up to add Activision Blizzard games in earnest to Game Pass following its acquisition of the company. It will happen starting in August, according to rumors.
Microsoft has also started to expand TV cloud gaming beyond Samsung Smart TVs after a 2-year exclusive period for Samsung.
Xbox has a support page here with more answers.
