Microsoft is reshaping Game Pass to make each plan do more. Essential is the entry point. Premium is the mid-tier for people who play on both console and PC. Ultimate is the all-in bundle with the most games, day-one launches, and the best cloud quality. 

All plans now include some mix of PC games, cloud play, and in-game perks. Rewards also grow, so you can earn Store credit by playing. The names are new, but the idea is simple: more content and more ways to play. 

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Plan comparison (easy view)

Plan Monthly price Games library Cloud gaming Day-one releases Perks & Rewards
Essential $9.99 50+ games on console and PC Unlimited cloud access Not included Riot perks; earn up to $25/year
Premium $14.99 200+ games on console and PC Unlimited; can stream select games you own New Xbox-published games within a year (not CoD) In-game benefits; earn up to $50/year
Ultimate $29.99 400+ games; 45 added today Best quality; up to 1440p on select devices 75+ day-one titles each year Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew (from Nov 18); earn up to $100/year

 

Ultimate: more for more money

The biggest change is the $10 jump for Ultimate. Microsoft pairs that with a larger catalog, more day-one games, and partner bundles. Ubisoft+ Classics joins the plan. On November 18, Fortnite Crew arrives with a Battle Pass and 1,000 V-Bucks each month. For cloud users, streaming improves and can reach 1440p on supported setups. Rewards also get richer, up to $100 per year for play activity. 

Premium: mid-tier gains without day-one

Premium keeps the $14.99 price but becomes more flexible. It now offers 200+ games on Xbox and PC, including Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy at launch of the new plan mix. It also gets unlimited cloud streaming, and you can stream some games you already own. Microsoft promises new Xbox-published titles within a year, but it excludes Call of Duty from that promise. Perks and Rewards reach up to $50/year. 

Essential: entry level now feels complete

Essential stays at $9.99 but doubles its catalog to 50+ games and adds PC play and cloud access. It also carries over Riot benefits and lets you earn up to $25/year through the refreshed Rewards system. For many families, this may be enough. 

PC Game Pass: price up, content shuffled

PC Game Pass now costs $16.49 each month. It does not include Ubisoft+ Classics. Still, Microsoft adds about 50 more Ubisoft games to the PC library. Day-one Xbox titles remain part of the plan. The message is clear: PC players pay more, but they still get fresh releases and a bigger catalog. 

Why raise prices?

Microsoft says it is adding value across the board. The company highlights larger libraries, partner bundles, and better cloud tech. That is the on-record case. 

Industry reporting adds another angle. Game Pass makes it easier to sample big games, but it can reduce full-price sales. Bloomberg reports that Xbox gave up an estimated $300 million in Call of Duty console and PC sales last year by leaning into subscription access. Cloud operations and content deals also cost money. Higher monthly fees help close that gap. 

How to pick your plan

  • Choose Essential if you want low cost, smaller library, and cloud play on many devices.
  • Choose Premium if you play on both PC and console and can wait for new Xbox games to arrive.
  • Choose Ultimate if you want day-one titles, the biggest library, Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew, and the best cloud quality.

Prices may change by region. Existing Core and Standard members will move to the new tiers. New prices start now for new users; current users see changes at their next bill. So, check your account before you renew.

Key points

  • Ultimate rises from $19.99 to $29.99 — a 50% increase — and now includes 400+ games, 45 new titles added today, and 75+ day-one releases/year. 
  • Core is renamed Essential; Standard becomes Premium. Both add PC games and unlimited cloud gaming. 
  • PC Game Pass now costs $16.49 per month; it gets ~50 more Ubisoft titles but not Ubisoft+ Classics. Day-one on PC continues.
  • Cloud streaming exits beta and supports up to 1440p on select devices for Ultimate members.
  • Bloomberg reports Game Pass strategy cut into Call of Duty unit sales, with an internal estimate of $300M forgone last year. 
Jonas Muthoni

About the author

Jonas Muthoni

Jonas Muthoni is Chief Editor of The Showbiz Journal, overseeing the publication’s editorial direction and coverage across entertainment, celebrity culture, movies and television, music, lifestyle, fashion, and emerging trends. His work focuses on developing timely, engaging stories while strengthening the publication’s editorial standards and distinct voice. He also oversees content strategy and the continued growth of The Showbiz Journal as a digital entertainment publication.