Xbox Game Pass Continues Push to Be Everywhere While Also Pushing Prices Up

Microsoft has announced price increases for its Xbox Game Pass subscription service and a new tier omitting "Day One" game releases. This article details the changes and explores Xbox's broader Game Pass strategy.

Game Pass Price Increases and New Subscription Tier

Effective July 10 for New, September 12 for Existing Members

Xbox Game Pass Continues Push to Be Everywhere While Also Pushing Prices Up

Xbox has increased prices for its Game Pass subscriptions, effective July 10, 2024, for new subscribers and September 12, 2024, for existing subscribers. The changes affect Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Core:

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Increases from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. Includes PC Game Pass, Day One games, back catalog, online play, and cloud gaming.
PC Game Pass: Increases from $9.99 to $11.99 per month. Retains Day One releases, member discounts, PC game catalog, and EA Play.
Game Pass Core: Annual price increases from $59.99 to $74.99 ($9.99 monthly).

Game Pass for Console: Will be unavailable to new members starting July 10, 2024. Current subscribers retain access as long as their subscription remains active. If a subscription lapses, they must choose a different plan. After September 12, 2024, new pricing applies to recurring billing.

Xbox Game Pass Continues Push to Be Everywhere While Also Pushing Prices Up

Existing Game Pass for Console subscribers can maintain access to Day One games until their subscription expires. Xbox confirmed that Game Pass for Console codes remain redeemable until further notice. However, the maximum stackable time for Game Pass for Console subscriptions will be limited to 13 months starting September 18, 2024. This only affects future stacking; existing stacked time exceeding 13 months remains unaffected.

Introducing Xbox Game Pass Standard

Xbox Game Pass Continues Push to Be Everywhere While Also Pushing Prices Up

A new tier, Xbox Game Pass Standard, priced at $14.99 per month, is launching. It offers a back catalog of games and online play but excludes Day One games and cloud gaming. Further details on release dates and availability will be announced soon. This tier includes online console multiplayer and member discounts, though some Game Pass for Console exclusives may be absent.

Microsoft emphasizes that these changes offer players more choice in subscription options. Previous comments from Xbox CEO Phil Spencer and CFO Tim Stuart highlight Game Pass's importance to Microsoft's strategy, emphasizing innovation and high-margin business growth.

Xbox Game Pass Beyond the Xbox Console

A recent Xbox ad campaign promotes Game Pass's availability on Amazon Fire TV Stick, highlighting that an Xbox console isn't required to play Game Pass games. Future plans involve adding more major titles to the service. Phil Spencer has previously stated Xbox's goal is to provide choice and accessibility across various platforms.

Xbox's Strategy: Hardware Remains Key

Xbox Game Pass Continues Push to Be Everywhere While Also Pushing Prices Up

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has confirmed that Microsoft is not abandoning its hardware business and sees potential for further hardware expansion. Xbox has also stated it will continue offering physical game copies as long as there's demand, and there are no plans to cease console production. While acknowledging challenges related to manufacturing costs of drives in consoles, Xbox's strategy does not rely on a complete shift to digital distribution.