In a surprising move, Microsoft has announced it is lowering the cost of its Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. This decision comes just months after a massive price hike and follows a promise from the new Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma, to recommit to the core fan base.
While the lower prices are a welcome relief for many, they come with a significant catch: the world’s biggest shooter franchise, Call of Duty, will no longer be available on the service the day it launches.
New Lower Prices for Gamers
Starting immediately, Microsoft is cutting monthly fees for its top two tiers by up to 23%. The changes are designed to make the library of hundreds of games more accessible to casual players.
- Game Pass Ultimate: Dropping from $29.99 to $22.99 per month.
- PC Game Pass: Dropping from $16.49 to $13.99 per month.
In the UK, the flagship Ultimate tier has fallen from £22.99 to £16.99. Prices will vary slightly depending on your region, but the downward trend is consistent globally.
The Call of Duty Trade-Off
For years, the biggest selling point of Game Pass was getting every major Xbox game on Day One. However, under the new leadership, that strategy is changing for the biggest titles.
- No More Day One CoD: Future Call of Duty games will not join Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch.
- The One-Year Wait: Instead, new installments will be added to the library during the following holiday season—roughly one year after they release.
- Existing Titles Stay: Older Call of Duty games that are already in the library will remain available for all subscribers.
Why the Sudden Change?
The price cut follows a leaked internal memo from Asha Sharma, who took over as gaming chief in February. In the memo, she reportedly admitted that Game Pass had simply become too expensive for most players.
Industry experts believe Microsoft is trying to find a middle ground. By lowering the price, they hope to stop fans from canceling their subscriptions. By removing Call of Duty from day one, they ensure they don’t lose out on billions of dollars in direct game sales from players who are willing to pay the full $69.99 price for the latest hit.
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Mixed Reactions from Fans
The gaming community is divided. Many casual gamers are praising Xbox for listening to feedback and making the service affordable again. However, hardcore fans are worried that this sets a precedent. If Call of Duty is no longer a day-one release, they fear other major games like Halo or The Elder Scrolls might eventually be removed from the day-one lineup as well.
