Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Jumps to $30 Amid Major Overhaul

Xbox Game Pass Price Hike: The New $30 Reality

Microsoft’s latest announcement has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. As of October 1, 2025, the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate—Microsoft’s flagship subscription—has leapt from $19.99 to $29.99 per month. This dramatic 50% increase comes on the eve of blockbuster releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and just days after a separate hike in Xbox console prices. For many gamers, the new monthly fee feels less like a subscription and more like rent for their console.

The timing couldn’t be more contentious. Social media erupted as frustrated subscribers flooded Microsoft’s cancellation page, overloading the site. Comments ranged from wry humor (“$30 a month to not own a single game”) to pointed criticism (“Microsoft got so arrogant with that thirty dollar a month price hike they literally caused a bank run on their own subscription service”). The backlash was swift and widespread, echoing across platforms like X and Reddit.

Three-Tier Restructuring: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate

Alongside the price hike, Microsoft unveiled a major overhaul of Game Pass’s structure. The previous ‘Core’ and ‘Standard’ plans have been retired, replaced by ‘Essential’ and ‘Premium’ tiers, respectively, while ‘Ultimate’ remains—albeit with more perks and a steeper price. Here’s how the new pricing shakes out:

• Game Pass Essential (formerly Core): $9.99/month. Offers unlimited cloud gaming, online multiplayer, a catalog of 50+ games, and now, full PC playability for all titles.
• Game Pass Premium (formerly Standard): $14.99/month. Expands the library to 200+ games across console and PC, unlocks unlimited cloud gaming, and promises Microsoft’s first-party games within a year—except for Call of Duty titles, which require Ultimate.
• Game Pass Ultimate: $29.99/month. Delivers access to 400+ games, 75+ day-one releases yearly, Ubisoft+ Classics, EA Play, Fortnite Crew (from November), enhanced cloud streaming up to 1440p, and a revamped rewards program.
• PC Game Pass: $16.50/month (up from $12). Continues to offer day-one releases and now bundles Ubisoft+ Classics.

Subscribers to Core and Standard will be automatically transitioned to Essential and Premium, respectively. No action is needed unless users wish to switch or cancel.

What’s New: Expanded Libraries and Perks

Microsoft argues that these changes bring “more value, more benefits, and more great games” to every plan. Ultimate members now get the biggest upgrade yet: over 400 games globally, 45 new titles added immediately, and more than 75 day-one releases every year. Ubisoft+ Classics joins the Ultimate tier, bringing popular franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Prince of Persia into the fold.

Another headline feature is the addition of Fortnite Crew—bundling in the monthly battle pass and 1,000 V-Bucks, a perk valued at $12/month on its own. Streaming quality for Xbox Cloud Gaming is improved to 1440p, and the cloud service exits beta, promising “best quality streaming and shortest wait times.” The rewards program has also been upgraded: Ultimate subscribers can earn up to 30% back on select purchases, with quadruple points on game and add-on buys, and up to 20% off select titles.

Premium subscribers, meanwhile, enjoy a doubled game library (200+ titles), unlimited cloud gaming, and in-game benefits for titles like League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Rainbow Six Siege. Essential offers 50+ games, unlimited cloud access, and full PC compatibility—a notable upgrade from its predecessor.

Consumer Backlash and Industry Comparisons

Despite Microsoft’s claims of added value, the response from the gaming community has been overwhelmingly negative. Many players point out the sharp contrast with rival services: Sony’s PlayStation Plus Premium, for example, tops out at $159.99 annually (roughly $13.33/month), significantly less than Xbox’s $359.88/year Ultimate tier. The Premium and Essential tiers also now cost more than their PlayStation equivalents.

Gamers have voiced concerns about the lack of ownership—paying a premium for access to games that could disappear from the library at any time. The added perks, while appealing to some, are not enough to offset the sticker shock for many long-time subscribers. Some are seeking workarounds, like purchasing prepaid codes at the old rates from Amazon to delay the inevitable increase.

Microsoft’s timing has also drawn criticism, coming on the heels of console price hikes and the introduction of the $999 Xbox Ally X handheld. The moves have left many fans questioning whether Microsoft is prioritizing value or simply testing the limits of consumer loyalty.

Microsoft’s Rationale: More Games, More Flexibility

In press briefings, Microsoft’s director of gaming and platform communications, Dustin Blackwell, emphasized the expanded libraries and new cloud gaming features. “What’s new for everyone across all three Xbox Game Pass plans is bigger game libraries, including PC games across each of the plans. There is also unlimited cloud gaming, which is new to Essential and Premium subscribers,” Blackwell said (CNBC, GameSpot).

Microsoft has reported record numbers for Game Pass—34 million subscribers and nearly $5 billion in revenue for 2024. Gaming now accounts for 8% of the company’s total revenue, bolstered by acquisitions like Activision Blizzard. Yet, hardware sales have faltered, with Xbox console revenue down 25% year-over-year. The price hikes and tier changes seem aimed at bolstering subscription revenue as hardware struggles against competitors like PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.

What Should Subscribers Do?

If you’re a current subscriber, Microsoft will automatically shift you to the equivalent new tier. To check or change your subscription, simply log into your Xbox profile or Microsoft account and navigate to the subscriptions section. Upgrades are charged immediately; downgrades take effect at the next billing cycle. Cancellation is straightforward, but refunds are not available for already-spent months. Those looking to avoid the new prices can still buy prepaid codes at old rates—at least for now.

Ultimately, the changes mark a pivotal moment for Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft is betting that expanded libraries and perks will justify the higher cost, even as many loyal players reconsider their commitment.

Microsoft’s aggressive price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate signals a shift in strategy—prioritizing subscription revenue and expanded digital perks over hardware sales. While the overhaul brings undeniable value for those who want the biggest libraries and cloud features, the backlash shows that consumers are keenly aware of what they’re paying for. Whether these changes deepen player loyalty or drive a migration to rival platforms remains to be seen. The next few months will reveal if Microsoft’s gamble pays off—or if it simply prices out the very audience it built Game Pass to serve.