Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers are in for a rude awakening as Xbox is reportedly gearing up to raise prices starting in September. Emails sent out to users outside the United States indicate a significant increase in subscription fees. For example, in Canada, the price is set to jump from $18.99/month to $22.99/month. This news has sparked concerns among gamers who rely on the service for access to a wide range of games.
According to reports by Windows Central, Microsoft has confirmed the upcoming pricing changes for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Core. The changes are part of a series of shifts to the service that will be implemented on September 12, 2024. PC Game Pass, for instance, will see an increase from $9.99/month to $11.99/month, while Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is set to rise to $19.99/month in the US. Additionally, new users will be directed towards Xbox Game Pass “Standard” for $14.99/month, which excludes day-one game releases and Xbox Cloud gaming.
These price adjustments will affect all global markets and are seen as a response to Xbox’s growing costs and recent moves to streamline the gaming division. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has also stirred speculation that additional price hikes were on the horizon. The gaming community awaits further details on regional pricing as the changes are set to take effect on September 12, 2024.
