Microsoft Quietly Removes Xbox Game Pass DLC Discount, Fans Push Back

Microsoft’s latest move with Xbox Game Pass has left many subscribers stunned, and not in a good way. For years, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members enjoyed a consistent perk: a 10% discount on downloadable content (DLC) for games available in the service, including Call of Duty’s premium items like COD Points and the pricey BlackCell pass. But this week, without much fanfare, Microsoft quietly pulled the plug on that discount, replacing it with a restructured Rewards program.

For a community already frustrated with recent price hikes, the change feels like another gut punch.

The discovery first spread through the Call of Duty community, where players realized that buying COD Points or BlackCell at full price was now the only option. CharlieIntel spotted the change in the U.S., and soon after, outlets like IGN confirmed the discount had vanished in the UK as well. A quick check of other Game Pass titles revealed this wasn’t just a Call of Duty issue – most add-ons across Game Pass titles no longer carry the 10% Ultimate discount. The only exception? DLC linked to EA Play, which still retains its traditional discount.

Notably, Microsoft did not announce this removal when it recently confirmed that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate would rise in price from $19.99 to $29.99 per month. That jump represents an extra $120 a year for longtime subscribers. Instead, the company emphasized the addition of Ubisoft+ Classics, valued at $7.99 a month, and Fortnite Crew, usually $11.99 a month, both of which are now included in Ultimate. Microsoft also pointed to improvements in Xbox Cloud Gaming, which has officially exited beta and now promises better performance and lower latency for Ultimate subscribers.

Microsoft insists the new Rewards structure compensates for the lost discount. According to the company, Ultimate members now earn an additional 10% in Reward points for Game Pass DLC purchases, while Premium (the tier previously called Standard) earns 5%. On paper, this means players will eventually earn enough points to trade in for gift cards, which can then be used within the Xbox ecosystem. But in practice, it feels less like saving real-world money and more like being nudged to stay locked inside Microsoft’s walled garden. As one frustrated Reddit user put it: “They want you to spend the full amount and give the saving back in points, so you end up reinvesting in Xbox instead of keeping money in your wallet.”

The optics of this change couldn’t come at a worse time. The price increase already rattled subscribers, and the quiet removal of the discount adds to the perception that Microsoft is nickel-and-diming its most loyal customers. Some long-time Xbox fans are questioning whether the subscription still offers value. IGN’s poll showed that over half of respondents – 52% – say they will not subscribe to Game Pass at all under the new structure, while only 22.5% plan to stick with Ultimate despite the higher price. That leaves a large portion of gamers reconsidering their options, especially as major releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6 prepare to battle for player attention this holiday season.

Part of the frustration comes from the sense of broken trust. Many players had budgeted around the DLC discount, particularly in titles like Call of Duty where microtransactions are constant. Without that perk, some argue the economics of Game Pass Ultimate have shifted too far. A yearly subscription at $360 no longer comes with the same perks it once did, and those who regularly buy cosmetics or add-ons feel like they’re paying more while receiving less.

On the flip side, Microsoft points to the expanded catalog and partnerships as proof of value. Ubisoft+ Classics offers access to a library of Ubisoft titles, while Fortnite Crew not only bundles the Battle Pass but also provides 1,000 V-Bucks each month. For players deeply embedded in those ecosystems, these additions might offset the sting of the discount’s removal. But for others, especially those uninterested in Fortnite or Ubisoft titles, the extras feel irrelevant – window dressing on what many view as a stealthy price hike.

For some fans, the new system has become a breaking point. Social media is filled with players announcing cancellations or downgrades, with many saying they’ll focus more on PC libraries or competing consoles. “It’s going to push more people toward free-to-play games,” one player remarked, “which is exactly what Microsoft probably doesn’t want.” Others lamented that the Xbox Series X is becoming a dust collector in their living rooms, a far cry from the golden era of the Xbox 360 when the brand enjoyed peak goodwill.

Meanwhile, EA Play continues to offer its 10% DLC discount through Game Pass, highlighting a jarring inconsistency that has only deepened confusion. Why should EA’s add-ons get special treatment while Microsoft’s own ecosystem pulls back? Without clear communication from Xbox leadership – Phil Spencer’s name is often invoked in discussions – many players feel left in the dark.

At the end of the day, this is about trust, transparency, and value. Microsoft is gambling that the inclusion of Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew, and better cloud gaming will outweigh the sting of losing DLC discounts and paying more each year. But early reactions suggest otherwise. Many gamers are rethinking their loyalty, eyeing alternatives like Steam sales, PlayStation Plus, or simply diving into their backlog of owned titles. The discount may have seemed minor on paper, but for a community that already feels squeezed, its removal could mark a turning point in how Game Pass is perceived.