Major changes to the Xbox Game Pass service seem to be on the horizon for next year. According to recently released information, Microsoft is preparing for a fundamental overhaul of this service, although it has not officially confirmed this matter yet.
Key Points of Possible Changes
Earlier this year, Xbox reversed part of its price increases in the Xbox Game Pass subscription service, although it removed new Call Of Duty games from the day-one list. This change came after severe criticism from fans and following a decline in the number of subscribers to the service, which, according to Matthew Ball, Xbox's strategy chief, reached millions.
However, it seems Microsoft is planning fundamental changes to Xbox Game Pass for 2027. A rumor posted by a user named Slayven on ResetEra suggests that Xbox will introduce a new subscription tier with ad support next year. This subscription tier will be priced at $13 (£10) per month.
Price Reduction and Service Removal
According to Slayven, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate without ads will be priced at $19.99 (£15) per month, which is $3 less than the current price of $22.99. In this context, Microsoft is likely to refrain from day-one game updates in its service starting next spring. Additionally, it seems that cloud streaming will also be removed from this service and will be converted into a $5.99 (£4.50) add-on for 25 hours of access.
These changes come after Microsoft previously reduced access to cloud streaming for new subscribers due to high maintenance costs. It is also reported that access to online multiplayer games will be offered as a separate tier priced at $10.99 (£8) per month, although it is still unclear whether this fee will include Game Pass subscription or not.
Microsoft's Response and the Future of Xbox Game Pass
Following the release of these rumors, Microsoft issued a statement emphasizing: "We regularly test various Game Pass offerings and are looking for the best options for players in different markets. We have no changes to announce today and there is no plan that has been finalized." This statement is clearly not a denial of the proposed changes and the released information may be accurate.
However, experts say that the absence of new games on day one on Xbox Game Pass could be a significant blow to the appeal of this service, as one of its key features was access to games upon release. Asha Sharma, head of Xbox, recently acknowledged that Xbox Game Pass has not grown as much as expected and its subscriber count has remained roughly around 30 million.
