Xbox has been evolving its business model by allowing players to gain more access to eligible games from multiple platforms. This mindset is what influenced the new changes to Xbox Game Pass, effective immediately on October 1, 2025.
Xbox announced new tiers for the updated Xbox Game Pass: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. The Xbox Game Pass Core plan was the lowest tier to earn some Xbox benefits before its new replacement: the Essential tier. Xbox Game Pass Core subscribers will transition into the new lowest Xbox Game Pass plan without changing its $9.99 monthly price. Its benefits have improved to offer:
- Access to over 50 games
- Online multiplayer
- In-game benefits
- Cloud gaming
- Chance to earn about 25k Microsoft reward points a year
The Xbox Game Pass Premium plan is the newest tier introduced in the updated Xbox deal. The Xbox Game Pass Standard subscribers will join the Premium plan without changing its $14.99 price. It includes the previous Essential offerings, plus:
- Access to over 200 games and new Xbox-published games within its launch year
- Cloud gaming with shorter loading times
- Chance to annually earn up to 50k Microsoft reward points
The most beneficial tier for the new Xbox Game Pass is the Ultimate tier. While its monthly price has increased to $29.99, it provides every mentioned offering, plus:
- Access to over 400 games and +75 day-one games a year
- Partnered subscriptions: Ubisoft+ Classic and EA Play; Fortnite Crews will be added in November
- Cloud gaming with the shortest wait time
- Chance to annually earn about 100k Microsoft reward points
The monthly price for PC Game Pass also increased to $16.49. While a majority of its PC exclusive benefits haven’t changed, it does include the Ubisoft+ Classics plan.
There was another recent announcement for the Microsoft reward points policy. It was reported that players can no longer redeem any accumulated points to renew Xbox Game Pass directly. It’s now required to redeem the rewards points for specific Xbox gift card denominations to continue paying for Xbox Game Pass plans, from $1.25 up to $100. The pricing for Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass may vary between regions.
