Xbox Game Pass Price Increase Confirmed; Console Game Pass Will No Longer Be Available for New Users

The Xbox Game Pass service is undergoing, as previously rumored, some major changes, and some them will go into effect in just a few hours.

Today, Microsoft confirmed that from July 10th, the price for new members for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Core, and PC Games Pass will be increased globally. In the United States, for example, the price for Game Pass Ultimate will be increased from $16.00 to $19.99 for the monthly subscription and from $59.99 to $74.99 for the 12-month subscription, while the Game Pass PC subscription will see a monthly price increase from $9.99 to $11.99. The price for recurring charges will be increased after September 12th to give users the chance to cancel their subscriptions before the price increase goes into effect for them.

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In addition to price increases, Microsoft also confirmed today that Game Pass for consoles will no longer be available for new members starting tomorrow, and a new option called Xbox Game Pass Standard will be introduced in the coming months. This option includes Xbox Live Gold multiplayer and grants access to Xbox's back catalog, but it will not include day-one games and cloud gaming. Those already subscribed to Game Pass for consoles and have automatic renewal will be able to continue enjoying their membership.

Aside from the Standard option, console players will still be able to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Core, which grants access to multiplayer on consoles. Its annual price, as mentioned above, will increase from $59.99 to $74.99, but its monthly price will remain the same, $9.99. More information on the changes announced today can be found here.