Xbox Game Pass will be overhauled with new standard tier and higher prices

It looks like Xbox Game Pass is indeed finally in for a price increase. Higher prices won't be the only change though, it turns out Microsoft has plans to completely restructure Game Pass in September, ahead of the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, including the removal of day-one games for the standard tier. 

As reported by Windows Central, a Microsoft spokesperson has confirmed that there are major changes to Game Pass on the way. Starting in September, the company will be doing away with ‘Game Pass for Console', replacing it with a new ‘standard' tier that does not include day-one access to new games, like the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will continue to get access to games on day-one, but they will have to pay a higher price for it.

The new Game Pass tier breakdown should be as follows;

• Game Pass Ultimate (console + multiplayer, cloud, PC and day-one games) – $19.99 per month (plus taxes in applicable states)
• Game Pass (console + multiplayer, no day-one games) – $14.99 per month
• Game Pass PC (PC only, day-one games still included) – $11.99 per month
• Game Pass Core (smaller library for console + multiplayer) – $9.99 per month or $74.99 per year.

In this scenario, Game Pass will function more closely to EA Access, with the standard tier offering newer titles around 9 to 12 months after release, with the Ultimate tier reserved for those who want day-one access to new games. However, I think it is worth noting that with EA Play Pro, you do get access to the ‘Gold' edition of games, so you don't have to spend extra on DLC or expansions. So far, we do not know if Microsoft plans to offer a similar benefit for Game Pass Ultimate after this shake up.

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KitGuru Says: It was reported earlier this summer that Microsoft was planning Game Pass changes in the wake of acquiring Activision Blizzard. The company sees an annual series like Call of Duty as the crowning jewel for the service, finally giving it the value-add needed to present a price increase. Exactly how this new scheme will play out remains to be seen but nobody is ever happy to see prices going up. 

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