Microsoft Lowers Prices for Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft has lowered the prices for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The price for the Ultimate service drops from €26.99 to €20.99 per month. The PC Game Pass now costs €12.99 instead of the previous €14.99. These changes come just days after critical remarks from the new gaming head Asha Sharma, who described the previous price as too high. The price reduction for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate represents a savings of €6 per month.

Despite this reduction, the price remains €3 above the level prior to the drastic increase in October 2025. The adjustments are part of a broader strategy by Microsoft that responds to user feedback. A key point of the new pricing structure is the restriction on future Call of Duty games. These titles will now only be available on Xbox Game Pass one year after their release. This change contrasts with the previous practice of offering new games immediately upon release in the subscription model.

Previously released Call of Duty titles will continue to be included in Xbox Game Pass. The decision to offer new games with a delay could diminish the subscription's appeal for many users. It remains unclear whether other first-party titles from Microsoft will experience similar delays. The adjustments in pricing and game availability suggest a potential shift in Microsoft's gaming strategy. In recent years, the company has positioned Xbox Game Pass as a central element of its gaming division.

However, the price increase in fall 2025 led to a decline in subscriber numbers, prompting Microsoft to implement these changes. Microsoft's gaming division has faced challenges over the past two years. Job cuts and the removal of executives like Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond have affected the stability of the division. The new pricing structures may aim to regain lost trust and stabilize the user base. Existing Xbox Game Pass customers are not affected by the price increase in fall 2025 and now benefit from the reduction.

Users with an active subscription will continue to pay the old price until Microsoft makes an adjustment. This could lead many users to refrain from canceling their subscriptions to take advantage of the current terms. The changes take effect immediately and are part of a broader realignment of Microsoft in the gaming sector. User reactions to these adjustments will be crucial in determining the company's future strategy. Microsoft has announced that the new prices will be applied immediately. The price adjustments for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass will be valid from April 24, 2026.