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, alongside a new subscription tier omitting "Day One" game releases. This move reflects Xbox's broader strategy to expand Game Pass's availability while also boosting revenue.
Price Increases Effective July 10th (New Subscribers) and September 12th (Existing Subscribers):
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Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Increases from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. This tier retains its comprehensive features: PC Game Pass, Day One games, game catalog access, online play, and cloud gaming.
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PC Game Pass: Rises from $9.99 to $11.99 per month, maintaining access to Day One releases, member discounts, the PC game library, and EA Play.
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Game Pass Core: Annual price increases from $59.99 to $74.99 ($9.99 monthly).
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Game Pass for Console: Will no longer be offered to 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 subscriptions will be limited to 13 months.
Introducing Xbox Game Pass Standard:
A new $14.99 per month tier, Xbox Game Pass Standard, offers access to a back catalog of games and online play, but excludes Day One releases and cloud gaming. Microsoft plans to release further details on its launch date and game availability soon.
Xbox's Expanding Strategy:
Microsoft emphasizes its commitment to providing gamers with diverse options, including various pricing tiers to suit individual preferences. Statements from Xbox CEO Phil Spencer and CFO Tim Stuart highlight the importance of Game Pass, first-party titles, and advertising as high-margin revenue drivers for Microsoft's gaming expansion.
Microsoft is RAISING Xbox Game Pass' Pricing
This expansion extends beyond traditional consoles. A recent ad campaign showcases Game Pass's availability on Amazon Fire Sticks, emphasizing that an Xbox console isn't required to access the service.
You Don't Need an Xbox to Play Xbox
Despite this push towards digital access, Microsoft assures continued support for physical game releases and hardware production, clarifying that their strategy doesn't rely solely on a digital-only model.
