Microsoft hikes price of top-tier Xbox Game Pass Ultimate by $10

Microsoft has announced a significant price increase for its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, raising it by 50% to $29.99 per month, effective immediately. This change, revealed on Wednesday, is part of a broader overhaul of the Game Pass subscription tiers, although the Essential and Premium plans will retain their current pricing. The Game Pass Core tier will be eliminated and integrated into the Essential tier, while Standard subscribers will transition to the Premium tier. In the company's own words, "As we continue to evolve Xbox Game Pass, we're focused on delivering more value, more benefits, and more great games across every plan." Ultimate subscribers will now gain access to an impressive library of over 400 games, including more than 75 titles available on their release day each year. Additionally, users will notice enhancements in streaming quality, now reaching up to 1440p, along with the introduction of a new rewards program. These changes come on the heels of Microsoft's report of achieving a record 34 million Game Pass subscribers in 2024, contributing to nearly $5 billion in total revenue for the last fiscal year. The company continues to position Game Pass as a versatile option catering to gamers across consoles, PCs, and cloud platforms.