Xbox Game Pass price hike: new tiers, regional delay explained
TL;DR:
- Ultimate now listed at about $29.99, with new tier names.
- Some regions are delaying hikes for existing auto-renew users.
- New subscribers generally pay new rates immediately.
- Standard-to-Premium migrations keep $14.99 in Microsoft’s plan.
- Expect more changes as catalogs and cloud features expand.
On October 1, 2025, Microsoft announced updated Xbox Game Pass plans and pricing. Ultimate is now listed at about $29.99 per month, reflecting a larger library, partner perks, and upgraded cloud features. Microsoft also refreshed tiers, stating Standard subscribers would move to Premium at $14.99 per month with a different content window for first-party titles.
Why the hike made headlines this week
On October 7–8, Microsoft communications indicated some existing subscribers in select countries would not see the increase immediately. The change affects users on auto-renew in markets such as Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Poland, and India. New subscribers still see the higher price right away; cancelling and resubscribing triggers the new rate. The U.S. and U.K. were not part of this temporary carve-out.
How it affects you
- New members: Expect the new pricing at sign-up.
- Existing, auto-renew in select regions: You may keep your old rate for now, but any lapse moves you to the higher price.
- Plan migrations: Some Standard members are slated to move to Premium at $14.99, a lower-cost tier with different benefits.
What happens next
Microsoft said future increases for protected regions will include at least 60 days’ notice to comply with local rules. Given rising content costs, price pressure likely continues, but timing varies by country and plan.
Why it matters
Subscription changes shape how and when you play. If you value day-one access, cloud, and partner perks, Ultimate’s higher fee might still pencil out. If not, Premium or Core could be cheaper fits.
Sources:
- Microsoft Xbox Wire, “Updates to Xbox Game Pass: Introducing Essential/Premium/Ultimate,” Oct 1, 2025, https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/10/01/xbox-game-pass-ultimate-premium-essential-plans/
- The Verge, “Microsoft delays Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price hikes for some subscribers,” Oct 8, 2025, https://www.theverge.com/
- Polygon, “Xbox Game Pass price increase overview,” Oct 1, 2025, https://www.polygon.com/
- Twisted Voxel, “Xbox newsletter suggests hikes don’t apply to some existing members,” Oct 7, 2025, https://twistedvoxel.com/
