Xbox Game Pass Expands Reach Amid Price Increases

Xbox Game Pass Price Hikes and New Tier Announced: Expanding Reach, Increasing Costs

Microsoft has announced price increases for its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, along with a new subscription tier. This move comes as Xbox continues its strategy of expanding Game Pass accessibility across various platforms.

Price Changes Effective July 10, 2024 (New Subscribers) and September 12, 2024 (Existing Subscribers):

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Increases from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. This tier includes PC Game Pass, Day One games, the game catalog, online play, and cloud gaming.

• PC Game Pass: Increases from $9.99 to $11.99 per month, retaining Day One releases, discounts, and EA Play.

• Game Pass Core: Annual price increases from $59.99 to $74.99 ($9.99 monthly).

• Game Pass for Console: Discontinued for new subscribers starting July 10, 2024. Existing subscribers can maintain access unless their subscription lapses. After September 18, 2024, the maximum stackable time for console codes will be 13 months.

New Xbox Game Pass Standard Tier:

A new $14.99 per month tier, Xbox Game Pass Standard, will offer access to a back catalog of games and online play, but excludes Day One games and cloud gaming. Further details on release date and game availability are forthcoming.

Xbox's Broader Strategy:

Microsoft emphasizes providing gamers with more choice and access to games. This includes expanding Game Pass to platforms like Amazon Fire TV Sticks, as highlighted in their recent advertisement.

While expanding Game Pass' reach, Microsoft confirms its continued commitment to hardware and physical game releases, despite the increasing focus on digital services. The company views Game Pass, alongside first-party games and advertising, as a high-margin business driving future growth.