Xbox Game Pass Faces Major Restructure

Microsoft is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of Xbox Game Pass that would fundamentally change how subscribers access new titles. According to reports from GN technics/gaming (en-US), the company aims to streamline the service into two main tiers, potentially lowering the entry price while removing key features that have defined the subscription for years.

The proposed changes include discontinuing the inclusion of day-one releases in the standard bundle and shifting cloud gaming to a paid add-on. While the base price could drop, the trade-off is a reduction in immediate access to new games and a limit on how many hours users can stream content monthly.

Two Tiers Replace Complex Options

The current Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier, which costs $22.99 per month, is expected to be replaced by a simpler structure. The new plan would offer a basic subscription at $12.99 per month, supported by advertisements, or an ad-free version for $19.99. This represents a price cut for the top tier, but it signals a shift away from the all-inclusive model that many players currently rely on.

There are also hints of a third, lower-cost option at $14.99 that might provide only access to the existing library without new releases. Additionally, online multiplayer could become a separate $10.99 monthly charge, and family sharing might require an extra fee. These details suggest a move toward a more granular, menu-driven pricing model rather than a single bundle.

Day-One Games Face Cancellation

The most contentious aspect of the leak is the potential end of day-one game access. Sources indicate that Microsoft may stop bundling newly released titles as soon as February 2027. This would mean subscribers would no longer get immediate access to major releases like those from Bethesda or Activision Blizzard, effectively ending a core value proposition of the service.

Analysts suggest this change stems from financial pressures. While adding new releases attracted subscribers, it likely suppressed individual game sales. The data suggests that subscription growth has not been fast enough to offset the lost revenue from physical and digital copies, making the current model unsustainable for the company.

Cloud Gaming Becomes Paid Add-On

Cloud gaming, currently included in the top tier, is expected to become a standalone add-on costing $5.99 per month. This fee would grant users 25 hours of streaming time, a limit that applies regardless of the base subscription tier. This change follows recent monthly hour caps that have already drawn criticism from the community.

Microsoft previously defended these streaming limits, noting that only a small percentage of users are affected. However, making cloud access a paid extra feature adds another layer of cost for players who rely on streaming to play on non-console devices, further complicating the value equation for the average subscriber.