Xbox has made the vision for Game Pass very clear by combining value, benefits, and a deep library of games for players. Game Pass was launched in 2017 and has experienced steady growth, with Microsoft reporting that this growth is at an all-time high in both players and creators. Xbox understands that not everyone wants the same thing, and these new plans help ensure there’s something for everyone, balancing value with features and day-one releases.
These new plans are based on how players play and what each desires to access. The three plans have been rebranded as Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. Each plan features a combination of elements from PC games, cloud gaming access, and access to popular day-one releases. You’re also getting a new revamped Rewards with Xbox program.
For existing subscribers, the transition will be as follows. Core subscribers will move to Essential, Standard subscribers will be moved to the Premium tier and Ultimate subscribers will remain in the Ultimate tier. Xbox reminds gamers that this is a part of the commitment to allow gamers to choose what fits their budget, where, and how they want to play.
Game Pass Ultimate sees its most significant upgrade to date, offering the most gaming and access for $29.99 per month. With over 75 day one games a year, access to Ubisoft Classics, and EA Play. Fortnite Crew, a $11.99 value, comes in November. You also get in-game benefits, including those for Riot Games. Fortnite players will get 1,000 V-Bucks per month as part of the Ultimate Subscription. As of today, Ubisoft Classics has joined the Premium tier, offering a $15.98 value.
Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can earn up to $100 per year in points by playing games as part of the upgraded rewards program. Players can get up to 30 percent value on select Game Pass titles, 4x points on purchases, and 10 percent back on select titles.
From the Ultimate tier, we step down to the flexible Premium tier, which emphasizes value by combining Cloud Gaming, PC Gaming, and Day One Xbox titles. Premium members will gain access to over 200 games, maintaining the $14.99 price point, with more than 40 titles available to play today. Premium does add access to Cloud Gaming, including the titles that you already own.
Premium members can also earn Xbox Rewards, receiving up to $50 per year in points by playing games, and up to 2x points on purchases, as well as 5 percent back on select purchases.
After the Ultimate and Premium tiers, it’s all about getting started with the Essential tier. Just because you choose the bottom tier doesn’t mean you get left out of the fun. The Essential tier is now fully playable on PC with unlimited Cloud Gaming, including titles you own on the devices of your choice. You’ll still earn Xbox rewards, including up to $25 per year in points, as well as points on game purchases and add-ons. The Essential tier also remains at $9.99/month.
While the features of each plan have been shuffled and the individual names have changed, the only tier that saw a price increase was the Ultimate tier, which jumped ten dollars per month after taxes. The Fortnite Crew will be added in November, and the Ubisoft Classics library has now been introduced, promising a higher bitrate for Cloud Gaming and shorter wait times. It all sounds good. We’ll have to see if it’s enough to keep the subscription numbers up in the top tier.
