Microsoft Raises Xbox Game Pass Prices, Introduces New ‘Standard’ Tier

Microsoft made a big announcement about Xbox Game Pass. They are raising the prices of their popular game subscription service. This change will affect players in many countries. The company is also adding a new tier called Xbox Game Pass Standard. These changes will start on July 10 for new subscribers.

Xbox Game Pass is a service that lets people play many games for a monthly fee. It’s like Netflix, but for video games. The service has been very popular since it started. Now, Microsoft is changing how much it costs.

Xbox Game Pass prices

The price increase affects three main plans. These are Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Game Pass Core, and PC Game Pass. Each plan will now cost more for new users. People who already have these plans won’t see a price change until September 12.

In India, the changes are big. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate used to cost Rs. 549 per month. Now, it will cost Rs. 829 per month. This plan gives access to games on Xbox consoles, PC, and cloud gaming. It also includes new games on the day they come out.

Xbox Game Pass Core is changing too. A yearly subscription used to cost Rs. 1,999. The new price will be Rs. 3,349 per year. This plan is for Xbox console users. It gives access to some games and lets people play online.

PC Game Pass is for computer gamers. Its old price in India was Rs. 249 per month. The new price will be Rs. 449 per month. This plan offers games that can be played on Windows PCs.

The new “Standard” tier is interesting news. It will cost $14.99 per month in the US. This is about Rs. 1,251 in Indian money. This plan is for Xbox console users. It will offer more games than Core but less than Ultimate. It won’t include new Microsoft games on the day they come out.

Microsoft says these changes are needed. They want to keep offering good games and services. The company has been adding many new games to Game Pass. They’ve also been improving their technology.

The timing of this news is important. Just a few weeks ago, Microsoft said that the next Call of Duty game would be on Game Pass when it comes out. Call of Duty is a very popular shooting game. The new game, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, will be on Game Pass on October 25.

This is a big deal because Microsoft recently bought Activision Blizzard, the company that makes Call of Duty. People were wondering if the games would be on Game Pass. Now we know they will be.

The price increase might make some players unhappy. John Smith, a long-time Xbox player, said, “I love Game Pass, but this makes it harder to afford. I might have to cancel my subscription.”

What Gamers reaction on prices hike

Others see the value in the service. Sarah Lee, a game reviewer, said, “Even with the new prices, Game Pass is still a good deal. You get so many games for less than buying them one by one.”

The new Standard tier might help some players. It’s a middle option between Core and Ultimate. Tom Brown, a gaming expert, said, “The Standard tier could be perfect for console players who want more games but don’t need PC or cloud gaming.”

Microsoft is also stopping Game Pass for Console for new subscribers. This was an old plan that only worked on Xbox consoles. People who already have this plan can keep it if they want.

The company says these changes will help them add “more value and more great games to Game Pass.” They want to use the extra money to make the service better. This could mean more new games, better features, or improved technology.

Microsoft is not the only company raising prices. Other gaming services have also become more expensive. Sony increased the price of PlayStation Plus last year. Nintendo Switch Online has also seen price hikes.

The gaming industry is changing fast. Making games costs more than ever before. Big companies like Microsoft need to find ways to pay for new games and technology. Price increases are one way they do this.

Game Pass has been a big success for Microsoft. It has millions of subscribers. The service has changed how many people buy and play games. Instead of buying individual games, many players now prefer to pay for access to a large library.

This change has been good for some game makers. Smaller games can find a bigger audience on Game Pass. But it also means that companies need to keep adding new games to keep subscribers happy.

Cloud gaming is another big focus for Microsoft. This lets people play games on phones, tablets, or weak computers. The games run on powerful servers and stream to the player’s device. It’s like watching a YouTube video, but you can control the game.

This technology is expensive to run. It needs many powerful computers and fast internet connections. The price increase for Ultimate might help pay for improving cloud gaming.

Microsoft is also facing tough competition. Sony’s PlayStation is still very popular. Nintendo’s Switch console continues to sell well. And new cloud gaming services from Google and Amazon are trying to win players.

By raising prices, Microsoft hopes to keep Game Pass growing. They want to use the extra money to make the service better. This could mean more new games, better features, or improved technology.

For now, gamers have some choices to make. They can keep their current plans, switch to a different tier, or cancel their subscriptions. The new Standard tier might be a good option for some Xbox players.

As the gaming world changes, services like Game Pass will keep evolving. Prices may go up, but companies will also try to offer more value. Gamers will need to decide if the cost is worth it for the games and features they get.

The addition of big games like Call of Duty to Game Pass shows that Microsoft is serious about making the service attractive. Even with higher prices, getting new, big-budget games on the day they come out could be a strong selling point for many players.