Xbox has recently unveiled some major changes to its Game Pass subscription, and to be honest, it’s a bit confusing to wrap your head around all of it. But let’s break it down.
Starting this September, new members joining the Xbox family will no longer have the option to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass for console. However, current subscribers can continue with their subscription, enjoying access to the program’s back catalog and day-one game releases as long as they maintain their subscription. New users will now have the choice of different subscription tiers, with the first being Game Pass Standard priced at $15 per month. This tier provides access to a back catalog of games and Xbox Live Gold, now known as Game Pass Core. However, the Standard tier does not include day-one releases or Xbox Cloud gaming.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will retain its features, including PC Game Pass, but will see a price increase to $20 per month. PC Game Pass remains unchanged and will now cost $12 per month. Those specifically seeking online multiplayer access can subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Core (formerly Xbox Live Gold) for $75 per month. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced a new rule limiting existing users to stacking up to 13 months of Xbox Game Pass for console, although users who have stacked more than that will not be affected.
If this all seems overwhelming, that’s because it is.
With Xbox’s intricate naming conventions and complicated pricing structures, there’s a lingering question: will this strategy backfire? In this week’s episode of Spot On, Tam and Lucy dissect the new pricing model and debate whether Xbox is moving in the right direction. With recent layoffs and studio closures fresh in their minds, coupled with an upcoming Call of Duty release and a strong lineup of first-party titles, is this the right time for such a drastic overhaul and price increase?
Spot On is GameSpot’s weekly news show featuring managing editor Tamoor Hussain and senior producer Lucy James discussing the latest in gaming news. In a constantly evolving industry with news breaking every moment, Spot On delves deep into specific topics rather than just giving a rundown of headlines. Catch Spot On every Friday.