Katarzyna Petru
Microsoft has just announced the biggest changes to its flagship subscription service in years. Xbox Game Pass, available on consoles, PC and in the cloud, has been divided into three new variants: Essential, Premium and Ultimate. Sounds familiar? That's because the earlier Core and Standard are being replaced by refreshed packages.
The biggest controversy surrounds the price of the Ultimate variant, which is the only option that guarantees Microsoft's premier games (e.g. the next installments of Call of Duty) on their release day. In the USA, the price hike reaches as high as 50% – from 19.99 USD to 29.99 USD.
New Xbox Game Pass Variants
Essential – access to over 50 games, online multiplayer, and cloud in the basic version.
Premium – over 200 games on PC and consoles, better cloud gaming, and access to exclusive titles. Games from Microsoft studios arrive here within a year of their release.
Ultimate – over 400 games, including blockbuster releases from Microsoft and partners. Additionally, EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, and the highest quality cloud streaming.
Game Pass Prices (monthly)
Variant | USD | AUD | EUR | GBP | PLN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Essential | 8.99 | ~13.99 | ~8.49 | ~6.99 | 36,99 |
Premium | 12.99 | ~19.99 | ~11.99 | ~9.99 | 54,99 |
Ultimate | 29.99 | ~44.99 | ~28.99 | ~24.99 | 114,99 |
(Prices in AUD, EUR, and GBP converted based on exchange rates may differ from final values in regional Microsoft stores)
What's new in the library?
Not just about the prices – Microsoft has immediately added strong titles to the Premium and Ultimate offerings. From today, available are including:
Hogwarts Legacy
Skull and Bones
The Crew 2
14 games from the Assassin’s Creed series (from the first part to entries before Origins and the latest Shadows).
What does it mean?
The new structure of Game Pass is a clear signal: Microsoft clearly wants to squeeze more out of players who have become accustomed to an "all-inclusive" subscription. Essential and Premium look reasonably priced, but if someone wants to play new releases on day one – they need to be prepared for a significant expense.
