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 options are disappearing, replaced by refreshed packages.
The most controversial aspect is the price of the Ultimate variant, which is the only option that provides Microsoft’s premier games (e.g., the latest installments of Call of Duty) on the day of their release. In the USA, the increase reaches as much as 50% – from $19.99 to $29.99.
New Xbox Game Pass Variants
Essential – access to over 50 games, online multiplayer and cloud in the basic version.
Premium – over 200 games for PC and consoles, better cloud gaming and access to first-party titles. Games from Microsoft studios arrive here within a year of release.
Ultimate – over 400 games, including new hits 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 the final values in the regional Microsoft stores)
What’s new in the library?
So it’s not just about prices – Microsoft has immediately added strong titles to the Premium and Ultimate offerings. From today, the following are available among others:
Hogwarts Legacy
Skull and Bones
The Crew 2
14 games from the Assassin’s Creed series (from the first part to the editions 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 from players who have become accustomed to the "all-inclusive" subscription. Essential and Premium look reasonably priced, but if someone wants to play new releases on the day of their launch – they must prepare for a significant expense.
