Microsoft Lowers Xbox Game Pass Prices as Call of Duty Exits Day-One Slate

About Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service available on Xbox Series X and PC. This service offers players access to a large library of games for a monthly fee. The latest changes reflect a shift in Microsoft's pricing strategy.

Price Reductions and Changes

Microsoft has reduced the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 per month to $22.99 per month. Similarly, the PC Game Pass subscription has dropped from $16.49 to $13.99 per month. In the UK, Game Pass Ultimate now costs £16.99, down from £22.99, while UK PC Game Pass is reduced from £13.49 to £10.99. These price changes are effective immediately.

Removal of Call of Duty from Day-One Releases

With the price adjustments, Microsoft has also announced the removal of new Call of Duty games from being included as day-one releases in Game Pass. Future Call of Duty titles will instead be added during the following holiday season, approximately a year after their initial release. Existing Call of Duty games already in Game Pass will not be affected by this change.

Feedback and Future Plans

Asha Sharma, the new CEO of Xbox, acknowledged that the Game Pass subscription model had become too expensive for players. She emphasized the need for a better value equation moving forward. According to Sharma, "It's clear the current Game Pass model isn't the final one," indicating potential future changes to the subscription service.

What This Means for Players

The recent changes may signal a shift in Microsoft's approach to Game Pass, as they aim to enhance value for subscribers. The recent price hikes had previously drawn criticism for diminishing the value of the service. With the new pricing, subscribers may find the service more appealing, but the removal of new Call of Duty titles may disappoint some fans.

Expect further updates as Microsoft continues to refine its Game Pass strategy and respond to player feedback.