Microsoft has officially rolled out one of the biggest pricing overhauls in Xbox Game Pass history — and the gaming community is not taking it quietly. The jump from $19.99 to $29.99 per month for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the U.S. has resulted in a wave of subscriber frustration, canceled memberships, and a sudden race to stack subscriptions before the new pricing fully takes effect. The update represents an annual increase of $120, pushing the yearly cost of Ultimate to a steep $360.
The dramatic price hike has set social media and gaming forums ablaze with reactions ranging from outright fury to cautious acceptance. While Microsoft explained that the increase reflects new content, upgraded cloud gaming features, and added partner benefits, many long-time subscribers are questioning whether Ultimate is still worth the premium.
A Divided Community: IGN Poll Shows Sharp Drop in Interest
The public response was immediate and intense. A recent IGN poll of 10,000 readers reveals how deeply the price hike has impacted gamer sentiment:
- 45% say they are no longer interested in subscribing to Game Pass at all
- Only about 30% plan to stay subscribed to Game Pass Ultimate
- The remaining users are undecided or switching to lower tiers
This data highlights a significant shift for one of Microsoft’s most successful subscription services. Once praised as one of the best deals in gaming, Game Pass Ultimate is now facing skepticism from the very audience that helped make it popular.
Microsoft’s Justification: More Day-One Games, More Benefits, More Value
Microsoft has defended the decision by pointing to new content and expanded benefits. According to the company, the price increase is meant to support:
✔ 75 Day-One Releases Per Year
This is a substantial boost compared to previous years. Day-one releases have long been a major selling point for Game Pass, and Microsoft says it plans to double down on delivering blockbuster games on launch day.
✔ Fortnite Crew Membership Included
Starting November 18, Game Pass Ultimate will include the Fortnite Crew subscription, normally priced at $11.99 per month, offering:
- Monthly Battle Pass
- 1,000 V-Bucks
- Exclusive in-game cosmetics
For Fortnite players, this addition alone could offset a portion of the price increase.
✔ Ubisoft+ Classics Library
Ultimate subscribers also gain access to Ubisoft+ Classics, valued at $7.99 per month, which includes a curated library of Ubisoft titles.
✔ Cloud Gaming Upgrades
Microsoft claims that Xbox Cloud Gaming has now exited beta, offering:
- Improved stability
- Shorter queue times
- Higher streaming quality
Ultimate members get the best enhancements first, and the company says cloud gaming will continue to evolve.
Updated Game Pass Pricing as of October 2025
With the overhaul, Microsoft introduced a new tier structure:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: $29.99/mo (up from $19.99)
- Xbox Game Pass Premium: $14.99/mo (formerly Standard)
- Xbox Game Pass Essential: $9.99/mo (formerly Core)
- PC Game Pass: $16.49/mo (up from $11.99)
The new pricing took effect October 1 for fresh subscribers and will apply to all current subscribers beginning November 4.
As part of the rollout, Microsoft also added 45+ new titles, including major hits like Hogwarts Legacy, to help soften the blow of higher pricing.
How Gamers Are Responding: Cancellations and Complaints Flood the Internet
While Microsoft insists that the value proposition has improved, many gamers strongly disagree. Several longtime subscribers say this is the breaking point after years of incremental price increases, microtransactions, and growing corporate influence in gaming.
Here are some of the most notable community reactions:
“There’s no savings anymore.” — Hertzwin
A major criticism is the widening gap between what users pay and what they actually play. One commenter noted:
“$360 a year is the price of five new $70 games. Microsoft doesn’t even release five AAA titles a year that I want to play. There’s no savings anymore for the average gamer.”
For many, the math simply doesn’t add up.
“$30/month is insane.” — DippinDoansy
Another user wrote:
“No way I’m keeping Game Pass now. I’ve already been moving toward Steam. This is the final nail in the coffin.”
Many players say they would rather own games on platforms like Steam than rent them through a subscription with fluctuating prices.
“This crosses the line.” — shoeflavored1313
Even loyal Xbox customers are tapping out:
“I’ve been an Xbox defender since the beginning, but this officially crosses the line. I just canceled. I’ll go back to buying games.”
These comments mirror a much larger trend: people who once praised Game Pass as “the best deal in gaming” are turning away for the first time.
But Not Everyone Is Angry — Some Still See Value
Not all reactions were negative. A smaller segment of players maintains that Ultimate is still a great deal when used heavily.
“I’m still saving money.” — RealFrowns
One user explained:
“I’ve already played over $500 worth of day-one releases this year alone. So even at $360/year, I’m still saving money.”
For gamers who play every major release, Ultimate remains compelling — especially since online multiplayer through Xbox Live (now called Game Pass Essential) would cost extra anyway.
Fortnite Players Are Surprisingly Positive
The inclusion of Fortnite Crew, worth $11.99 per month, has been a pleasant surprise for some users:
“My first reaction was OUCH! But since I already pay for Fortnite Crew, this actually works out. I can cancel Crew and get it included in Game Pass now.”
For households with multiple Fortnite players, this inclusion can significantly offset the price hike.
GameStop Hijacks the Headlines — Then Walks It Back
GameStop briefly stirred chaos by posting a promotion implying it would continue selling Game Pass Ultimate for $19.99 per month, even after Microsoft’s new pricing took effect. The gaming community exploded with excitement — and confusion.
Shortly afterward, GameStop clarified that while promotional pricing might appear in-store or online, it does not override Microsoft’s pricing. The moment was short-lived but very reflective of the current volatility around Game Pass.
Subscription Stacking Frenzy: Gamers Race to Beat the Hike
One of the most widespread reactions to the announcement was subscription stacking — purchasing multiple months of Ultimate at the old price before the new prices fully hit all retailers. Microsoft allows a maximum of 36 months per account, and gamers rushed to Amazon and other stores to lock in as many months as possible at the cheaper rate.
Stacking doesn’t solve the price hike, but it delays the impact for up to three years, making it an appealing workaround for savvy players.
Microsoft’s Perspective: Record Revenue, Big Releases, and a Bold New Strategy
Despite the backlash, Microsoft seems confident in its decision. The company revealed that Game Pass generated nearly $5 billion in revenue this past year — its biggest year ever.
The increase was driven in part by major releases such as:
- The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion – Remastered
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
These big-budget first-party games require high investment, and Microsoft appears committed to recouping those costs through subscription revenue.
The company’s long-term strategy is clear:
More exclusive content → more subscribers → higher revenue → continued growth of Game Pass.
But whether existing subscribers will stay onboard is another question entirely.
Gaming Is Getting More Expensive — And Players Are Feeling It
The Game Pass price hike is just one piece of a wider trend: gaming is becoming increasingly costly for consumers.
Recently, Microsoft also:
- Raised Xbox console prices in the U.S.
- Announced a $999.99 price tag for the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X
- Priced the standard ROG Ally at $599.99
- Initially planned $80 first-party games for the holiday season
While Microsoft backtracked on the $80 game pricing, the message is clear: the cost of gaming continues to rise, and subscription services are no longer immune.
What This Means for the Future of Xbox Game Pass
The Game Pass Ultimate price hike could have several long-term effects on the gaming ecosystem:
1. Higher churn rates
More players may rotate subscriptions based on new releases rather than staying subscribed year-round.
2. Increased pressure on Microsoft to deliver quality
At nearly $30 a month, subscribers expect consistent, high-quality, AAA day-one releases.
3. More competition from Steam, PlayStation Plus, and Epic Games
Many gamers may return to buying and owning games instead of renting them indefinitely.
4. Greater reliance on blockbuster first-party studios
Bethesda, id Software, Obsidian, and other Xbox studios must deliver hit after hit to justify the cost.
Final Thoughts: A Turning Point for Xbox Fans
Microsoft’s decision to significantly increase the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has divided the gaming community like never before. While a portion of players sees the added features and day-one titles as justification for the higher cost, a much larger segment feels priced out of a service once marketed as the most affordable way to play.
As gaming becomes more expensive, players are becoming more selective about where they spend their money — and Game Pass, once seen as an unbeatable bargain, is no longer the automatic choice it used to be.
Only time will tell whether Microsoft’s bold strategy pays off or pushes even more subscribers away. For now, the message from the community is loud and clear:
Value matters. Transparency matters. And gamers are watching closely.
FAQs About the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Hike
1. Why did Microsoft increase the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Microsoft says the price hike reflects the expanded library of day-one releases, the addition of Ubisoft+ Classics, the inclusion of Fortnite Crew, and upgrades to Xbox Cloud Gaming. The company also cites higher development costs and growing demand for premium streaming features.
2. How much is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now?
As of October 2025, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $29.99 per month in the U.S., up from the previous $19.99 monthly price. This increases the annual cost from $240 to $360.
3. When do the new Game Pass prices take effect?
The new pricing is active for new subscribers starting October 1. For existing subscribers, the updated rates go into effect on November 4.
4. What new features or benefits are included with the higher price?
Game Pass Ultimate now includes:
- 75 day-one game releases each year
- Fortnite Crew membership (Battle Pass + 1,000 V-Bucks monthly)
- Ubisoft+ Classics
- Improved cloud gaming streaming quality
- Shorter queue times for Xbox Cloud Gaming
Microsoft says these upgrades justify the higher monthly fee.
5. Is Fortnite Crew really included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Yes. Starting November 18, Ultimate subscribers will receive Fortnite Crew at no extra cost. This includes the Battle Pass, monthly cosmetics, and 1,000 V-Bucks.
6. Is Ubisoft+ Classics included in Game Pass Essential or Premium?
No. Ubisoft+ Classics is exclusive to Game Pass Ultimate, making it unavailable in the Premium or Essential tiers.
7. What are the new Xbox Game Pass pricing tiers?
Here is the updated breakdown:
- Ultimate: $29.99/month
- Premium: $14.99/month
- Essential: $9.99/month
- PC Game Pass: $16.49/month
8. Can I stack Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to avoid the price increase?
Yes — but only up to 36 months total. Many users stacked multiple months at the old price from retailers before the increase fully rolled out. If retailers still show older pricing, stacking may still work temporarily.
9. Are players canceling their Game Pass subscriptions because of the price hike?
Many are. Online comments, social media posts, and IGN’s poll of 10,000 readers show a large portion of previous users are canceling or reconsidering their plans because the value no longer matches the higher cost.
10. Does Game Pass Ultimate still offer good value after the price hike?
It depends on your gaming habits.
- Heavy players who play most day-one releases may still save money.
- Casual gamers who play only a few titles per year are finding less value.
11. Are Xbox consoles also getting more expensive?
Yes. Microsoft recently increased the U.S. prices of certain Xbox consoles and accessories due to “macroeconomic conditions,” adding to overall user frustration.
12. Will Microsoft add $80 AAA games?
Microsoft initially planned to price upcoming first-party games at $80 but walked back the decision for the holiday season. Future pricing is still unclear.
13. Is Game Pass still the best deal in gaming?
It once was—many argue it isn’t anymore at $29.99/month unless you regularly play big-budget day-one titles or benefit from the included Fortnite Crew membership.
14. Is there any way to lower the cost of Game Pass Ultimate?
You can try:
- Buying discounted codes from authorized retailers
- Using Microsoft Rewards to redeem Ultimate months
- Taking advantage of promotional offers
- Switching to a cheaper tier like Premium or Essential
15. What games were added to Game Pass with the price update?
Microsoft added 45+ new titles during the October update, including Hogwarts Legacy, alongside several high-profile releases from first-party studios.