Microsoft has officially pulled the curtain back on its most dramatic restructuring of Xbox Game Pass since the service launched in 2017. As of today, the company is introducing a new three-tier system – Essential, Premium, and Ultimate – alongside a controversial price hike for the top subscription. While this reshuffle aims to streamline offerings and align closer with competitor PlayStation Plus, it has ignited heated debate among gamers, especially long-time PC subscribers who now face tough choices about the value of the service.
The New Structure: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate
The lowest rung of the ladder, Xbox Game Pass Essential, comes in at $9.99 a month. 
It grants users access to around 50 games across console, PC, and the cloud, as well as unlimited online multiplayer and perks like in-game benefits. Microsoft highlights titles such as Hades, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, and Stardew Valley among the lineup. Essential members also have access to the Rewards with Xbox program, with the potential to earn up to $25 a year in points redeemable for purchases. Importantly, Game Pass Core subscribers are being shifted directly into this Essential tier.
Next up is Xbox Game Pass Premium, which costs $14.99 per month and expands the library to over 200 titles. Unlike Essential, Premium includes major blockbuster entries like Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy, plus full cloud support. Subscribers here can earn up to $50 annually in Rewards points, and Standard members are being migrated into this plan. This tier is positioned as the middle ground, offering a healthy library without the heavier price tag of Ultimate.
Finally, there’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, now priced at $29.99 per month. The jump in price – nearly doubling from previous PC rates – has caught the most attention. But Ultimate also comes packed with features: a library exceeding 400 games, access to over 75 day-one releases each year, and bundled extras like Ubisoft+ Classics and the Fortnite Crew subscription (starting November 18). Microsoft promises improved cloud gaming with higher fidelity streams and reduced wait times. Subscribers can also rack up to $100 annually in Rewards credits.
What’s Lost and What’s Gained
While Microsoft positions the overhaul as a way to unify the Xbox ecosystem across console, PC, and cloud, critics point to some glaring reductions. Essential’s 50+ games and Premium’s 200+ games feel leaner compared to what PC users previously enjoyed for $12 a month. Even worse, day-one releases are locked behind Ultimate, making it effectively the only tier where players get to experience major launches at release. This strategy mirrors streaming platforms that funnel the best perks into their priciest plans.
Another subtle shift is the branding. By adopting the terms Essential and Premium, Microsoft is clearly echoing PlayStation Plus’ tier names. While some see this as clever marketing alignment, others call it uninspired and a signal that Microsoft is more focused on competing with Sony than innovating for players.
Community Backlash and Division
The backlash has been swift. For PC users, the hike feels like a slap in the face. Many note that what used to be $12 a month for the full Game Pass library is now split into tiers with stripped-down options, or a hefty $30 price tag for the complete experience. Social media and forums are filled with gamers declaring they’ll cancel, citing that $360 a year could buy them a stack of Steam titles outright, especially if purchased during sales. Some even call it the end of the only Microsoft service they actually enjoyed.
Others, however, argue that the service remains flexible. The ability to dip in and out, much like Netflix or HBO, still makes Game Pass appealing. Microsoft doesn’t lock subscribers into long-term commitments, and for those who only want to binge through new games for a couple of months a year, the value proposition is intact. And with Xbox Game Pass contributing an estimated $5 billion out of $7 billion in Xbox revenue, there’s little doubt Microsoft will keep doubling down on the model.
The Bigger Picture
Industry observers note that these changes aren’t just about pricing – they’re about consolidating platforms. By removing the distinction between PC and console libraries, Microsoft is leaning into its broader vision of “Xbox” as a universal brand, not just a piece of hardware under the TV. But this philosophical shift has practical consequences: PC players who once felt like they had the better deal are now footing the same bill as console players, with fewer perks unless they shell out for Ultimate.
Adding fuel to the fire, developers have quietly voiced concerns about Game Pass engagement. MachineGames, for example, revealed that many players tend to “jump in for five minutes and drop out,” raising questions about whether Game Pass fosters meaningful play or just fleeting curiosity. While Microsoft champions the service as a discovery engine, detractors suggest it promotes shallow engagement and weaker long-term returns for developers.
Looking Ahead
The dust is far from settled. Rumors still swirl about a potential ad-supported tier that could arrive in 2026, possibly free but peppered with forced ads. If true, this would echo the direction of streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. Whether that attracts new players or frustrates existing ones remains to be seen.
For now, Xbox Game Pass stands at a crossroads. Its library remains massive, its convenience undeniable, and its role in Microsoft’s strategy larger than ever. But the steep hike for Ultimate and the carving up of features across tiers risks alienating loyal users who once saw it as gaming’s best bargain. What’s certain is that the debate around its value will continue to rage – much like it has since the day the service launched.
2 comments
$360/year? I can buy so many Steam games with that money instead of this greed
Both PS+ and Gamepass are scams, paying for online when PC folks get it free lol