Microsoft just raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate — here’s how much you'll pay now

Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming titles shown Xbox controller and Xbox Series X titles
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Update: Some X users are reporting that the website to cancel Xbox Game Pass subscriptions has overloaded (via DiscussingFilm). While this happened after Xbox announced it was raising the price of Game Pass Ultimate, we can't say for certain this is the cause for the seemingly mass cancellations, but it's possible.

Original story: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is getting a price hike. As posted on Xbox Wire, the Ultimate tier will go up from $19.99 a month to $29.99 a month. In the U.S., that’s an extra $120 per year. Folks in the UK will see a price increase from £14.99 to £22.99, an extra £96 a year. However, the other tiers aren’t getting a price increase.

“Starting today, we’re introducing three upgraded Game Pass plans based on how players play: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate," said Xbox. "Each includes expanded game libraries, including PC titles, unlimited cloud gaming, in-game benefits (including Riot Games titles), and a revamped Rewards with Xbox experience. Today’s Game Pass Core subscribers will automatically move to Essential, Standard subscribers will transition to Premium, and Ultimate subscribers will remain in the Ultimate plan.

(Image credit: Xbox)

Xbox says Ultimate subscribers will now have access to 75 day-one releases a year. These are in addition to the over 400 games currently available on Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud. Starting on November 18, Fortnite Crew is coming to Ultimate. The library of Ubisoft Classics will also be available to Ultimate subscribers.

Game Pass Core subscribers will automatically move to the Essential tier, while Standard subscribers are now subscribed to Premium. As I said before, the price of these tiers will remain the same at $9.99 and $14.99, respectively. Premium and Essential subscribers will also get access to more games on supported platforms.

Xbox says the new pricing is due to all the new games being added to Xbox Game Pass. Updates to Xbox Cloud Gaming (which boost the streaming and performance quality) is another justification the company uses for the price hike. While the increase isn’t ideal, you can earn money in Store rewards by playing games, according to Xbox.

The updated pricing goes into effect starting today (October 1) for new subscribers, while current subscribers will see changes enacted on October 4.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

More from Tom's Guide

Category
Arrow
Arrow
Back to Gaming Laptops
Brand
Arrow
Processor
Arrow
RAM
Arrow
Storage Size
Arrow
Screen Size
Arrow
Colour
Arrow
Condition
Arrow
Price
Arrow
Any Price
Showing 10 of 94 deals
Filters
Arrow
(14-inch 1TB)
Our Review
1
HIDevolution [2025] ASUS ROG...
Amazon
(15.6-inch 512GB)
Our Review
2
MSI Cyborg 15 15.6” 144Hz FHD...
Amazon
(14-inch 1TB)
Our Review
4
Asus - Rog Zephyrus G14 14"...
Best Buy
Low Stock
(15.6-inch 1TB)
Our Review
5
MSI Cyborg 15 Cyborg Gaming...
Walmart
(15.6-inch 1TB)
Our Review
8
Msi Cyborg 15 15.6" Gaming...
Macy's
(14-inch 1TB)
Our Review
10
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Latest...
Amazon
Show more
Tony Polanco
Senior Computing Writer

Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.