April 17, 2026, 9:17 am | Read time: 2 minutes
For many gamers, the Xbox Game Pass is considered an all-inclusive package that provides access to a vast game library for a fixed monthly fee. This model might change in the future, as the service is apparently being reevaluated. The background involves discussions about the subscription’s price and structure, which have been initiated internally at Microsoft.
Criticism of Current Pricing
An internal memo from the new Xbox chief, Asha Sharma, reveals that the current pricing is viewed critically. The service has become too expensive for many users. As reported by the online magazine “Winfuture,” Microsoft sees the need to become more competitive in the long term and to make the model more flexible. The memo does not specify new prices or tiers.
New Subscription Models Are Possible
The focus is on potential adjustments that could cater more to different types of players. These include cheaper entry-level offers for casual gamers who only use certain content or genres. At the same time, premium content could be shifted to higher-priced variants. Additionally, there have already been rumors about package deals, including with streaming services like Netflix, as well as new pricing structures.
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Price Development in Recent Years
The discussions about the Game Pass are also related to price development. The service launched in 2017 at around 10 euros per month. The Ultimate version now costs about 27 euros per month. Reasons for this include the expansion of the offering and Microsoft’s corporate decisions, such as the acquisition of several major publishers and game developers. Additionally, the Game Pass was merged with the former Xbox Live Gold model.
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Outlook on Possible Changes
Whether and when specific changes to the subscription model will be implemented remains open. However, it is clear that Microsoft is working on further development, according to internal information. The goal seems to be a system that is more tailored to different user groups and can respond more flexibly to the market.