Microsoft has just launched a new tier of Game Pass on Xbox, officially called Game Pass Standard. This is effectively a replacement for the original Game Pass for Console subscription, sitting between Game Pass Core and Game Pass Ultimate. And that change looks to be a little bittersweet.
Game Pass Standard was originally announced in July, alongside another price hike for Game Pass Ultimate — which now costs $20 a month. The good news is that Standard now rolls in all the benefits of Game Pass Core. Previously, the Game Pass for Xbox subscription didn’t let you play online multiplayer unless you were on a free-to-play game.
Microsoft stopped new Game Pass for Console subscribers some time ago, but existing subscribers have been able to keep their subscriptions going for now. Sadly if you let that subscription lapse, either by letting your auto-renewal expire or outright canceling the plan, your only option will be to subscribe to Game Pass Standard.
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