UPDATE: Xbox Game Pass Overhaul Comes with Higher Prices and Shuffled Plans

 

Xbox has restructured Game Pass into three tiers—Essential, Premium, and Ultimate—bringing expanded libraries, new perks, and higher costs. Ultimate, now $29.99/month, offers over 400 games including 75+ day-one releases, Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew, and upgraded cloud streaming. Premium, still $14.99/month, expands to 200+ titles across console, PC, and cloud, adding hits like Diablo IV, Hogwarts Legacy, and Minecraft, with Xbox-published games arriving within a year of launch. Essential remains $9.99/month with online multiplayer, cloud gaming, and a 50+ game library featuring popular titles like Stardew Valley and Hades. While players get more games and benefits, the shake-up comes with notable price increases.

Since its launch in 2017, Xbox Game Pass has been pitched as a way to deliver value and a vast library of games to players. Microsoft points to record engagement and creator participation, but with its latest overhaul, subscribers will now face higher prices alongside bigger catalogs.

The service has been restructured into three tiers: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. Each tier expands game libraries to include PC titles, cloud play, and in-game benefits, while also tying into a revamped Rewards with Xbox program. Current Core members will shift to Essential, Standard will move to Premium, and Ultimate users will remain on their existing plan.

Microsoft frames the change as offering more “flexibility, choice, and value” for players who want everything from day-one releases to hidden gems across console, PC, and cloud. However, the shift comes with a steeper cost, leaving some wondering whether the added perks justify the price increase.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Just Got Its Biggest Upgrade Yet

The Ultimate tier has received its biggest update yet, targeting players who want the most comprehensive experience. Subscribers now gain access to over 75 day-one releases per year, including highly anticipated titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, High on Life 2, Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2. These join a library of more than 400 games playable across Xbox consoles, PC, and cloud, with over 45 new games added immediately. Hits like Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Hollow Knight: Silksong are also included, alongside exclusive perks such as EA Play access.

Microsoft is also bundling Fortnite Crew ($11.99/month value) starting November 18, giving Ultimate members the Battle Pass, 1,000 V-Bucks monthly, and other perks, while Ubisoft+ Classics (~$15.98/month) brings access to a curated selection of Ubisoft titles like Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

Cloud gaming gets a notable boost, with Ultimate subscribers enjoying the highest streaming quality up to 1440p and shorter wait times, as Xbox Cloud Gaming officially exits beta. The “Stream your own game collection” feature is also expanding, allowing more seamless cross-device play.

On the rewards side, Ultimate members can earn up to $100 per year in Xbox Store credit. The upgraded Rewards with Xbox program also offers up to 30% value on select Game Pass games, 4x points on game and add-on purchases, 10% back on select library titles, and up to 20% off certain Game Pass games.

Xbox Game Pass Premium – More Games, More Flexibility

The Premium tier has been expanded to offer more games and greater flexibility for players who want a robust Xbox experience across console, PC, and cloud. Subscribers now gain access to over 200 titles, including major hits like Minecraft, Forza Horizon 5, and Grand Theft Auto V, as well as fan favorites such as Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy. Premium also includes new Xbox-published games within a year of release (excluding Call of Duty).

Cloud gaming is upgraded, giving Premium members unlimited access, including select games they already own. In-game benefits have been added for top titles like League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, unlocking cosmetics, characters, and more.

Premium also boosts rewards, letting subscribers earn up to $50 per year in Xbox Store credit. With 2x points on purchases and 5% back on select library titles, Microsoft aims to make this tier appealing for both casual and dedicated players—all while keeping the price at $14.99/month.

Xbox Game Pass Essential: A Great Way to Get Started

The Essential tier offers a streamlined Xbox experience for players who want access to games across console, PC, and cloud without breaking the bank. The plan includes 50+ curated titles like Hades, Cities: Skylines – Remastered, Stardew Valley, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, all fully playable on PC.

Subscribers also get unlimited cloud gaming, online multiplayer, and in-game perks for popular games such as League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Overwatch 2. Through the Rewards with Xbox program, members can earn up to $25 per year in store credit, plus points on game and add-on purchases—making it a simple, entry-level way to jump into Xbox gaming.

More Rewards with Game Pass

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SYSTEM UPDATE: Xbox May Update 2025: Retro Classics, Cloud Gaming, and Big Play Anywhere Expansions

The Xbox May 2025 Update delivers a wave of exciting features, headlined by the launch of Retro Classics on Game Pass—bringing over 50 beloved Activision titles from the ’80s and ’90s to modern platforms. PC gamers get upgraded with Game Bar enhancements and GeForce Now integration, offering new ways to stream and play. Xbox Rewards now supports custom gift card amounts, and the cloud gaming library continues to grow with 100+ playable titles. Plus, Xbox Play Anywhere expands with over 70 new cross-platform games added in April, making it easier than ever to play your favorite titles anytime, anywhere.

Announcing Retro Classics available for Game Pass Members

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Retro Classics, a collaboration between Xbox and Antstream Arcade, available to play for Game Pass members globally. Starting today, Game Pass members can dive into a collection of 50+ classic Activision games from the ’80s and ’90s, including beloved titles like Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall! This initiative is a step in our commitment to game preservation and backwards compatibility, allowing players to experience many timeless games on modern devices.

With Retro Classics, Game Pass members can expect a seamless gaming experience across console, PC, and on supported devices with cloud gaming. Whether playing on Xbox console, the Xbox app on PC, or streaming on supported LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, and Meta Quest headsets, Retro Classics offers a versatile and accessible way to enjoy these nostalgic titles.  Game Pass members can access Retro Classics through their Game Pass membership by searching and installing the feature via their console or on the Xbox app on PC. Additionally, players can take on friends, rivals, or the entire world with unique challenges. For the achievement hunters, there are some great new ones to collect, and for newer players, the ability to save and reload your progress, a first for many classic titles.

PC Gaming

Game Bar Updates – Quick settings and widgets

To further enhance the gameplay experience with Game Bar, we’ve revamped the Settings widget with quick settings and continued visual updates to the remainder of the inbox widgets. The new quick settings will be accessible in both Compact Mode and Desktop Mode across all Windows devices.

Upon opening the Settings widget, players can now swiftly access a list of quick settings that allow them to adjust audio levels, screen brightness, show a virtual keyboard, turn on Compact Mode, manage connected devices and more, all while minimizing interruptions to gameplay.

In addition to this, visual updates have been applied to the Widget List, Gallery widget, and Home widget for a more unified look and feel across the experience.

Game Bar Updates – Microsoft Edge Game Assist 

Microsoft Edge Game Assist is coming soon. As the first in-game browser built specifically for players, Game Assist brings players a full browser along with tips, walkthroughs, playlists, and sites like Discord, Spotify, and Twitch right into their game. Players can use the Windows + G shortcut to open this experience in Game Bar at any time during a gameplay session. As Game Assist is seamlessly connected to the Edge browser, players will have instant access to their favorites, passwords, history, and more, ensuring everything they need is always within reach and keeping their data synched between sessions. 

GeForce Now update

Xbox players now have an additional option in the Xbox app on PC for playing via cloud gaming, providing even greater flexibility in how they play. GeForce Now has been added as an available option for PC gaming on participating titles, allowing players to choose their preferred streaming platform for gameplay. If a game is available on GeForce Now, players will see a pop-up when clicking the Play button on the product page, at which time they can select their preferred cloud gaming option.

Xbox Rewards

Rewards with Xbox – Xbox gift cards in custom amounts now available

Players can now redeem their Rewards points for Xbox gift cards in any amount on the Rewards hub.

 To customize an Xbox gift card:

1. On the Rewards hub, go to the catalog and choose “Xbox Gift Card”
2. Select an amount from the drop-down list OR choose “Custom”
3. If selecting “Custom,” enter any amount between $5-$100
4. Select “Redeem Reward” to complete the redemption
5. Once complete, the gift card will be automatically added to your account balance

This balance can be used towards purchases of Games, Game Add-ons, Movies and TV Shows or on the latest deals at Xbox.com/Deals.

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