Microsoft has announced an increase in the monthly subscription fee for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, alongside a reorganization of its subscription tiers. The new price for Game Pass Ultimate is set at $29.99 USD / £22.99 GBP per month, which now includes access to more than 75 new game releases annually, as well as Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics. Additionally, improvements to cloud gaming quality are expected, along with the introduction of a new Rewards program.

The updated subscription tiers are as follows:

• Game Pass Essential: Priced at $9.99 USD / £6.99 GBP / €8.99 per month, this tier offers access to over 50 games across PC, console, and cloud.
• Game Pass Premium: At $14.99 USD / £10.99 GBP / €12.99 per month, this option includes more than 200 games across all platforms.
• Game Pass Ultimate: The top tier, now at $29.99 USD / £22.99 GBP / €26.99 per month, offers access to over 400 games across PC, console, and cloud.

It’s important to note that only the Ultimate tier includes access to day one game launches, while the Essential tier features a smaller, curated selection. Existing subscribers on the Standard plan will be automatically upgraded to the Premium tier.

The PC Game Pass remains available, continues to support Ubisoft titles, and still includes day one releases. Its price has also risen to £13.49 / $16.49.

This subscription overhaul coincides with changes to the Microsoft Rewards program, effective immediately. Users will no longer be able to redeem Rewards points directly for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions; instead, points can be exchanged for gift cards that cover the cost of the subscription.

Recently, a Microsoft executive highlighted a significant investment in Game Pass for this year, aiming to enhance the service’s game library. While the subscription service reportedly generated close to $5 billion in annual revenue the previous year, there are ongoing discussions about its profitability and how subscription models impact direct game sales.

This price adjustment follows a recent increase in Xbox console prices in the U.S., where costs have risen by $80 to $130.

For comprehensive information about available games, refer to our Xbox Game Pass guide.