On October 1, 2025, Microsoft announced a significant overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, introducing new pricing tiers and features. The most notable change was a 50% price increase for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan, raising the monthly fee from $19.99 to $29.99. This move has ignited a wave of backlash from gamers worldwide.

📈 What Changed?

Microsoft rebranded its Game Pass offerings, introducing three new tiers:

• Essential: Formerly known as Core, priced at $9.99/month.

• Premium: The new Standard plan, priced at $14.99/month.

• Ultimate: The top-tier plan, now priced at $29.99/month.

The Ultimate plan includes over 75 day-one game releases annually, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and The Outer Worlds 2, along with enhanced cloud streaming and bundled perks like Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics. Reuters

😡 Community Reaction

The price hike has been met with widespread criticism. Many gamers have expressed their dissatisfaction on social media platforms, with some even reporting that Microsoft’s cancellation page crashed due to the high volume of users attempting to unsubscribe. indy100

A Reddit thread titled “I’m canceling my subscription after the ridiculous price increase and you should do the same!” garnered significant attention, with users calling for a collective boycott of the service. Reddit

🛒 Alternatives and Workarounds

Despite the price increase, some retailers continue to offer Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at the previous rate of $19.99/month. Amazon, GameStop, and Walmart have been selling digital codes for the service, allowing consumers to lock in the old price before it changes. The Verge

🧠 Microsoft’s Response

In response to the backlash, Microsoft acknowledged the community’s frustration. Dustin Blackwell, Microsoft’s director of gaming and platform communications, stated that the company did not take the decision lightly and is “listening to the feedback of players.” Pure Xbox

🔮 Looking Ahead

The price increase and subsequent reactions highlight a growing concern among gamers about the affordability of subscription-based services. As competition in the gaming industry intensifies, it remains to be seen how Microsoft will address these concerns and whether the changes will impact the long-term viability of Xbox Game Pass.