In a move that has surprised users, Microsoft has announced a significant increase in the prices of its Game Pass Ultimate subscription service, which has risen by 50%. Additionally, the cost of Game Pass for PC has increased by 3 euros. This adjustment represents a critical barrier for new subscribers, becoming a disappointment for those who were already part of the service.
If you were already a subscriber, will you also pay more?
Current subscribers and those with automatic renewals could benefit from keeping the previous price, although Microsoft has not specified the specific countries where this exception will apply. This uncertainty creates confusion, as users from different regions report variations in their renewal rates.
For the moment, those who are new to the service or those who have unsubscribed recently will have to adhere to the new pricing structure. In the case of Spain, some users have indicated that the next renewal of their Ultimate subscription will cost them 26.99 euros per month, which indicates that the pressure for price increases is being felt in the market.
Another highlighted aspect of this Game Pass review is the removal of the option to redeem Rewards points directly for additional months of service. However, fall promotions have been promised that aim to make subscription renewals more attractive, although the details are yet to be confirmed.
Despite this increase, the price of the Game Pass Premium plan, previously known as Standard, will remain the same. This plan allows users to access titles from Xbox Game Studios up to 12 months after their release, maintaining the appeal of the service. The core value of Game Pass remains access to up to 75 new games per year, but the price increase raises questions about the future of the subscription model.