Might XBox Game Pass see price drop?

New XBox boss says “Game Pass has become too expensive for
players,” citing the company’s huge misfire in 2025, when it
raised Game Pass Ultimate subscription fees by 50%

Jun 1, 2017: Microsoft launches XBox subscription
service that expands to allow users to download
and play video games via other consoles, PCs,
Android, iOS, iPadOS, browsers and smart TVs

PRICING HISTORY ($, monthly)

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

5
10
15
20
25
30

GAME PASS
“CONSOLE”
$9.99

“ULTIMATE”
TIER ADDED
$14.99

REBRANDED “STANDARD”

$14.99
$10.99
$16.99
$19.99
$29.99

REBRANDED
“PREMIUM”

“ESSENTIAL” TIER
$9.99

Cost increase largely attributed to adding
Call of Duty game – allegedly costing
Microsoft around $300m

ONE PRICE RISE TOO MANY

Reddit poll of 3,500 Ultimate subscribers

%

46
35
19

Remained
subscriber

Downgraded
to cheaper tier

Cancelled
Game
Pass

AVAILABLE
GAMES

Ultimate:
Premium:
Essential:

500+
200+
50+

New Microsoft
Gaming CEO
Asha
Sharma
(left)

Sources: Engadget, BBC, Reddit, Metro, GameRant
Pictures: Microsoft
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