Microsoft is shaking up its Xbox Game Pass subscription tiers with significant price increases in the U.S., effective immediately. The all-you-can-play Game Pass Ultimate package, which provides access to hundreds of Xbox and PC titles, will now cost $29.99 per month, up from the previous $19.99. While the library still includes a broad mix of first-party and third-party games, the jump represents a nearly 50% increase for subscribers.
Microsoft is attempting to justify the increase by bundling new perks, including a selection of “classics” from the Ubisoft+ catalog and a partnership with Epic Games, which will deliver the Fortnite Crew subscription starting in November. The company values these additions at $16 and $12 per month, respectively, though some gamers may question the appeal of older Ubisoft titles or the Fortnite Crew content.
On the PC side, Game Pass for PC will rise from $11.99 to $16.49, granting access to streaming, day-one releases, and hundreds of titles, though Ubisoft Classics are notably excluded. The mid-tier offering, now called Game Pass Premium (formerly Game Pass Standard), remains at $14.99 and adds PC access plus cloud streaming but lacks the full Ultimate library and high-profile day-one releases. At the entry level, Game Pass Essential (formerly Game Pass Core) now includes expanded free game access and cross-platform play, reflecting Microsoft’s broader restructuring across tiers.
Beyond the monthly fees, Microsoft is also altering how subscriptions are purchased with Microsoft Rewards. Previously, Rewards points could be exchanged directly for Game Pass; now, users must redeem gift cards in fixed increments, which may no longer cover the full Ultimate cost. This comes just ahead of the launch of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, a handheld Windows gaming PC starting at $600, with upgraded models hitting $1,000, adding further financial pressure on dedicated Xbox fans.
Overall, while Game Pass still offers access to a large and diverse library of games, the new pricing structure—and the timing alongside major hardware releases—may leave some longtime subscribers reevaluating whether the service still represents the best value in gaming.
