Microsoft has announced updates to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, featuring price reductions for specific tiers and a shift in how future Call of Duty titles will be added to the platform.
Pricing Adjustments
Effective immediately, the monthly cost for two primary Game Pass tiers will be lowered. According to the announcement, these prices may vary based on regional markets:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Decreased from Rs. 1,389 to Rs. 1,089 per month.
- PC Game Pass: Decreased from Rs. 939 to Rs. 879 per month.
This comes after the price hike last October that received a severe backlash. This comes ahead of Forza Horizon 6 release in May.
Changes to Call of Duty Availability
In a departure from the platform’s standard “day one” release model for first-party titles, future Call of Duty instalments will no longer be available on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch. Starting this year, new entries in the franchise will instead be added to the subscription libraries during the holiday season following their initial release—a delay of approximately one year.
The company clarified that existing Call of Duty titles currently available in the Game Pass library will remain accessible to subscribers.
Retained Features and Services
Despite the alteration to the Call of Duty release timeline, the core features of the subscription service remain intact. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers will continue to receive:
- Access to a library of hundreds of console and PC games.
- Major “day one” releases for other franchises.
- Online console multiplayer capabilities.
- Unlimited access to Xbox Cloud Gaming.
- Exclusive in-game benefits.
Company Rationale
Addressing the structural and pricing adjustments, Xbox stated that the changes are a direct response to recent player feedback. Noting the broad geographic distribution and varying tastes of its user base, the company acknowledged that no single subscription model is ideal for everyone. Xbox indicated that it will continue to monitor user reception and adapt its offerings accordingly.