Microsoft has introduced new changes to its Game Pass tiers and price hikes of up to 50%

Microsoft has just announced new changes and price hikes to its Xbox Game Pass tiers lineup, renaming its previuos Core tier as Game Pass Essential and Standard as Game Pass Premium. The biggest change comes with Game Pass Ultimate pricing, which increases from $19.99 to $29.99 per month, representing a 50% price hike, and with no annual subscription option available, a full year now costs up to $360, making it more expensive than the original $300 launch price of the Xbox Series S console (yep the whole console itself).

All plans now include PC games and unlimited Xbox Cloud Streaming features. Essential, the most basic tier, stays at $9.99 per month with its library expanded to over 50 titles along with online gaming access, while Premium remains $14.99 but now includes more than 200 games, PC support, and cloud access. Existing Core and Standard subscribers will be automatically upgraded, with pricing adjustments rolling out in some international markets.

Meanwhile, Ultimate expands to more than 400 games, including Ubisoft+ Classics releases and EA Play, and will now feature over 75 day-one launches each year. This tier will also include Fortnite Crew membership, which provides access to the Battle Pass and other in-game benefits, starting November 18. PC Game Pass also rises nearly 40 percent to $16.49 per month, with 50 more Ubisoft games but without Ubisoft+ Classics.