Your monthly gaming budget just took a hit. Microsoft quietly jacked up Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $19.99 to $29.99 per month—a brutal 50% price increase that makes your Netflix subscription look like pocket change.
The company didn’t just raise prices; they completely overhauled the entire service structure. Game Pass Core became “Essential,” Standard turned into “Premium,” and Ultimate now carries the premium price tag to match its name. If you’re already subscribed, you’ve been auto-upgraded to the corresponding new tier without any action required on your part.
What Your Extra $10 Actually Buys
Microsoft’s justification hinges on a dramatically expanded gaming library and premium add-ons that supposedly deliver more value than the price increase.
Microsoft’s pitch centers on expanded value:
- Ultimate now includes 400+ games (up from around 300)
- Promises 75+ day-one releases annually instead of 50
- Bundles in Ubisoft+ Classics plus a Fortnite Crew subscription
The company claims these additions represent $28 worth of monthly value, technically making the $10 increase a bargain.
Every tier now includes PC and cloud gaming access—features previously exclusive to Ultimate. Essential subscribers get 50+ games across console, PC, and cloud for $9.99. Premium bumps that to 200+ titles for $15.99.
Cloud gaming performance improved too, supporting up to 1440p streaming, though Ultimate users get priority access while lower tiers face potential queuing.
The Reality Check for Your Wallet
The math only works if you actively use every bundled service Microsoft is cramming into Ultimate.
Here’s the thing about corporate value calculations: they assume you want everything they’re selling. That Ubisoft+ Classics library matters only if you’re craving Assassin’s Creed reruns. The Fortnite Crew subscription adds value solely for Battle Royale enthusiasts. Strip away services you don’t use, and you’re paying significantly more for essentially the same gaming library you had before.
The Microsoft Rewards program took a hit too—you can no longer directly redeem points for Game Pass subscriptions. Now you’ll convert points to gift cards first, adding friction to what used to be a smooth discount system.
Bottom Line for Subscribers
This price hike tests whether Microsoft’s expanded gaming ecosystem is worth premium streaming service money.
At $29.99 monthly, Game Pass Ultimate now costs more than most streaming services, positioning itself as the HBO Max of gaming. The question isn’t whether Microsoft added features—they clearly did. It’s whether those additions match your actual gaming habits and justify treating your subscription like a luxury expense rather than a gaming convenience.
