Microsoft jacks the price of Game Pass Ultimate up to $30 a month

Published: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 3:20 pm

Microsoft Raises Game Pass Ultimate Price, Rebrands Tiers

Microsoft has announced significant changes to its Game Pass subscription service, including a substantial price increase for its top-tier plan, Game Pass Ultimate. The monthly cost for Game Pass Ultimate is jumping to $30, a 50% increase from its previous price of $20. This marks a near doubling of the price in just 15 months, following a previous increase in July 2024.

Alongside the price hike, Microsoft is also rebranding its Game Pass tiers to streamline the user experience. The standard Game Pass tier is now known as Premium, while Game Pass Core is now Essential. These two tiers will not see price increases, with Premium remaining at $15 per month and Essential at $10. However, PC Game Pass is also increasing in price, from $12 to $16.50 per month.

In addition to the price changes, Microsoft is expanding the content available to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. The company is adding over 45 games to the Ultimate tier, including titles from Ubisoft, due to the integration of Ubisoft+. Furthermore, Ultimate members will gain access to Fortnite Crew, which includes the Fortnite battle pass, monthly V-Bucks, and other perks.

Microsoft highlights that Ultimate subscribers will have access to over 75 day-one games annually across Xbox consoles, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. The Ultimate library now boasts over 400 games, including titles from EA Play. Xbox Cloud Gaming is also officially out of beta, with Microsoft claiming its highest-quality streaming option with reduced wait times. Ultimate subscribers can also earn up to $100 in rewards per year by playing games.

The Premium tier includes over 200 games playable on both consoles and PC, with Microsoft adding over 40 games today, including Diablo IV and Senuas Saga: Hellblade 2. Xbox-published games will be available on the Premium tier within a year of their release, excluding Call of Duty titles. This tier also offers in-game perks and the ability to stream some owned games via the cloud, with the potential to earn up to $50 in rewards annually.

BNN's Perspective:

While the price increase for Game Pass Ultimate is significant, the added content and features, including the integration of Ubisoft+ and Fortnite Crew, could provide value for some users. However, the substantial price jump may deter some subscribers, especially considering the rising costs of other gaming platforms and hardware. Microsoft will need to ensure the expanded library and features justify the increased cost to retain its subscriber base.

Keywords: Game Pass, Microsoft, price increase, Ultimate, Premium, Essential, Xbox, PC, cloud gaming, Ubisoft, Fortnite, subscription, gaming, games, console, video games

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