What’s with Xbox Game Pass: New Prices, Features and More?

The “Netflix for games” , Xbox Game Pass is changing how we play, undergoing significant changes with their new prices and tiers. Xbox Game Pass is like Netflix for video games: you pay a subscription, and you get access to a library of games, some big, some small as long as you keep subscribing.
It works across Xbox consoles, PC, and via cloud streaming on devices that can’t run games natively. 

Microsoft recently revamped the Game Pass offerings, giving us a clearer, though pricier, menu. The goal is simple: offer a plan for everyone, from the casual player to the gaming fanatic.

Some of the changes introduced:

• Ultimate (the top tier) now costs $29.99/month (a 50% jump from its prior rate of $19.99).
• The lower tiers have been renamed: “Core” becomes “Essential,” “Standard” becomes “Premium.
• Cloud gaming (streaming) support is being expanded to multiple tiers (not just Ultimate), though Ultimate still gets the best performance (resolution, latency, etc.).
• More day-one game releases are promised for Ultimate. Microsoft talks about 75+ new games hitting the service on launch day each year. 
• The service also added Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew as part of the Ultimate offering.

These moves are Microsoft signaling: “We know not everyone wants the same thing in their Xbox experience, so we’re evolving Game Pass to offer more flexibility, choice, and value to all players, whether you love day one releases, discovering hidden gems, or playing across multiple devices and screens and across Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud.”

Subscribers

Here’s where things get a bit fuzzy, because Microsoft hasn’t shouted out wildly new, precise numbers lately. But here’s what we can piece together:

In February 2024, Microsoft announced that Game Pass had 34 million subscribers (this includes console, PC, and formerly Live Gold/Core conversions). Since then, a Microsoft program manager’s LinkedIn info suggested the total passed 35 million at some point. Some industry observers and secondary sources estimate even higher — for example, 37 million by Q1 2025.

So, yes, Game Pass is still growing. But not at the blazing pace it once did. The “easy wins” (converting Xbox owners who weren’t subscribing) are mostly done, so now it’s about getting more value, retention, and expansion into new markets (cloud, mobile, emerging regions).

Also, the service is an absolute financial success. A Microsoft executive recently confirmed that Game Pass is a profitable business and hit a record high revenue of nearly $5 billion in the last fiscal year. They are making money, even if the growth curve is flattening.

What’s New 

Here are fresh updates and trends worth watching:

1. Cloud Gaming Leaves Beta

Xbox Cloud Gaming (the streaming side) officially exited beta status. Now it’s a full, supported component. Ultimate users can stream games at improved quality (up to 1440p, etc.).
Lower tiers now also get cloud streaming access, though not necessarily at top quality settings. 

2. Library Expansions & Retro Classics

• Microsoft launched a Retro Classics package via Antstream, bringing older Activision games (from the ’80s and ’90s) into the Game Pass fold. 
• They’re deepening ties with Ubisoft by weaving Ubisoft+ Classics into Ultimate.
• They keep adding new “day one” games, especially for Ultimate, to keep the offering fresh and competitive.

3. Price Hikes & User Reactions

The 50% bump in Ultimate’s cost did not go unnoticed. Many gamers are upset.

• Some say they’ll cancel because the increase is steep, especially for casual players who don’t always have time to use the service fully. A reddit user said “Yeesh. Am I reading that right? $30 to get day-one releases. That’s my cancellation.” However, some players trying to cancel said there are issues loading the website
• Others weigh that against the value: if Ultimate gives you access to dozens of high-profile games and added benefits, maybe it’s still a bargain. 

Microsoft, on its end, is pushing hard to justify the change by enhancing the value side: more titles, better streaming, bundled services.

What Could Come Next?

• Microsoft has publicly said it would like 100 million Game Pass subscribers by 2030.
• Some analysts expect or suggest a free / ad-supported tier might be added to open the doors to more price-sensitive markets.
• Continued push into cloud, mobile, and regions currently underserved (Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America) could be major growth levers.
• Further bundling (e.g. “Game Pass + Office + other services”) might become a strategy to lock people in.

Bottom Line: Is Game Pass Still Worth It?

That depends on how you game.

• If you play a lot and try new games, Ultimate probably still gives you more value than buying equivalent titles one by one.
• If you’re a casual gamer, the biggest price jump may sting. You might more carefully evaluate whether it’s worth it month to month.
• For Microsoft, Game Pass is now core to its gaming identity. It wants to make it not just a “nice to have” but a central experience for many players.