In a shocking twist that’s caught many by surprise, Xbox has announced that some changes are being made to the pricing for numerous tiers of Xbox Game Pass—and no, they’re not increasing.
Instead, Asha Sharma revealed that some Xbox Game Pass tiers were being reduced in price, effective immediately. It’s exciting news for both current and prospective subscribers, but what exactly are the price changes, and why have they come about?
Worry not, as any questions you might have about Xbox’s Game Pass price changes can be found answered down below.
Which Xbox Game Pass Tiers Were Reduced In Price?
In Asha Sharma’s statement on X, she revealed that the price of both the Ultimate and PC tiers for Xbox Game Pass was being reduced in price.
Whilst that does mean that the other two tiers, Essential and Premium, retain their respective prices, it’s still great news for Xbox fans across the board, regardless of how you look at it—who doesn’t like to save money?
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Now, current subscribers can expect a smaller dent in their wallets every month, and those who were considering subscribing to the higher tiers of the service should find it easier to come to a conclusion.
How Much Is Each Xbox Game Pass Tier?
If you were looking to sign up to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, it would have previously set you back $29.99 a month; however, with the price reductions, it’ll now cost $22.99 a month instead.
That’s a $7 saving every month, so if you subscribe for a year, you’re essentially saving $84 across the board! Of course, these prices vary depending on which region and currency you use, but there are still some substantial reductions wherever you look.
For a full Xbox Game Pass pricing breakdown, check out the table below for full details, including before and after prices.
| Xbox Game Pass Tier | Original Price | New Price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $9.99 £6.99 €8.99 | — |
| Premium | $14.99 £10.99 €12.99 | — |
| Ultimate | $29.99 £22.99 €26.99 | $22.99 £16.99 €20.99 |
| PC | $16.49 £13.49 €14.99 | $13.99 £10.99 €12.99 |
Why Has Xbox Reduced Game Pass’ Price?
The Xbox Game Pass price reductions follow a statement by current CEO Asha Sharma, who said the service had become ‘too expensive.’
Xbox had previously hiked the prices numerous times over the years, though the worst was back in October 2025, when the Ultimate tier was bumped by 50% in some regions. Naturally, that caused a wave of backlash from fans, with many deciding to cancel their subscription altogether.
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In her recent statement, Asha suggested that Game Pass would evolve into a more flexible system, and it seems that these price reductions are the first step in that direction. However, it does come at a cost that impacts the Ultimate tier’s value beyond its price—new Call of Duty titles will no longer arrive day one on the service.
Instead, they’ll arrive the following holiday, around a year after its launch. Thankfully, current Call of Duty titles will remain available on the service, but it’s a notable absence that plays a huge part in explaining why Xbox has decided to cut the price of its Game Pass tiers.
Whether the loss of Call of Duty on day one impacts the value of the service is up to you, but the math doesn’t lie: losing out on a $70 dollar game, for $84 worth of annual savings, might be the better deal in the long run.
Will these price changes impact your Xbox Game Pass subscription? If you aren’t subscribed already, are you now considering it? Share your thoughts in the official Insider Gaming Discord Server.
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Charlie is one of Insider Gaming's Guides Writers who's been in the gaming industry for a little over a year. Unfortunately for him, he enjoys every video game genre out…
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