Microsoft has announced significant changes to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, including price increases, ahead of the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in October. These changes include the removal of day one releases for its basic tier.
According to Windows Central, Microsoft has confirmed these details. The $10.99/month Xbox Game Pass for Console will be discontinued, and existing members can continue until their subscription expires. New users seeking a basic tier package will need to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Standard, launching in September at $14.99/month. This package includes Xbox Live Gold for multiplayer gaming and access to Xbox’s back catalogue, but not first-party releases on day one. To access games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on day one, players will need to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the only tier offering access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, will see a price increase from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. PC Game Pass, which will still offer day one games, will also see a price increase from $9.99/month to $11.99/month. Xbox Game Pass Core (formerly Xbox Live Gold) will have an annual cost increase from $59.99 to $74.99, with a monthly price of $9.99 remaining. All recurring billing prices for Game Pass will increase starting 12th September.
These changes come after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the announcement in May that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 would be a day one Game Pass release. Microsoft confirmed that the game will be playable on Xbox and PC for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass for Console members at launch. However, new Xbox Game Pass Standard subscribers will not have access without additional cost.
