Microsoft's begun prepping users for a price hike on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate starting in September, but it will also introduce a new "standard" subscription option that won't include day-one access to Xbox first-party titles. Microsoft is already informing its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers by email that prices are going up. The fee will increase from $16.99 per month to $19.99, effective september 12th.
PC Game Pass subscribers look set to experience a price surge themselves in September from $9.99 to $11.99 per month as well PC Game Pass will still allow day-one access to new title, in contrast with the fresh standard subscription. Everyone else: Full worldwide price change list from Microsoft
The price changes arrive ahead of the Game Pass launch for blockbuster titles like this year's Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. This upgrade drive will impact Ultimate subscribers most; but it's a safe bet that the majority of Game Pass subs are now on this level anyway. Those increases came after even cheaper prices from a year prior that were hiked by $1-$2 per month.
Alongside the hikes for Ultimate and PC Game Pass, Microsoft will also launch an Xbox Game Pass Standard tier. While these will all also be available on Xbox Game Pass for Console, a key feature not in the service before - access to online console multiplayer (like PSN or Switch Online) - is part of this new tier which costs $14.99 per month and does NOT include day-one titles. Existing Xbox Game Pass for Console subscribers will be able to continue subscribing as they already do, but new customers aren't being notified that the "Xbox Game Pass Standard" subscription won't roll out until later in 2022. Existing Xbox Game Pass for Console subscribers will be able to stack their subscriptions up to 13 months starting September 18th.
The anticipated price hike for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate comes amid discussions about adding the Call of Duty series to the service. The increased revenue from the price hike will help offset the costs associated with adding Activision's popular franchise to Game Pass. This move has been expected since Microsoft confirmed the addition of Call of Duty to its lineup.