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Xbox Announcement Leaves Fans Fuming

By Evan Bell

Copyright newsweek

Xbox Announcement Leaves Fans Fuming

On Wednesday, Microsoft announced some changes to all three tiers of Xbox Game Pass, including a price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

The price of Game Pass Ultimate, the premium Xbox Game Pass subscription tier, will increase 50%, from $19.99 to $29.99.

Additionally, what was once Xbox Game Pass Standard is now being rebranded to Xbox Game Pass Premium, and Xbox Game Pass Core is being rebranded to Xbox Game Pass Essential; however, neither will be increasing in price

Microsoft announced the news via Xbox Wire, explaining that all three tiers are being upgraded.

According to the announcement, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will have more day-one games than ever before, while Xbox Premium will give players access to Xbox-published games within a year of their release.

The announcement read:

“Starting today, we’re introducing three upgraded Game Pass plans based on how players play: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. Each includes expanded game libraries, including PC titles, unlimited cloud gaming, in-game benefits (including Riot Games titles), and a revamped Rewards with Xbox experience. Today’s Game Pass Core subscribers will automatically move to Essential, Standard subscribers will transition to Premium, and Ultimate subscribers will remain in the Ultimate plan.”

choosing your way to play? this will help: https://t.co/6pRXMX9u4L pic.twitter.com/AdCJtBksYf— Xbox Game Pass (@XboxGamePass) October 1, 2025

Additionally, Xbox Game Pass explained the changes to gamers in a video for social media.

we’ve got updates! here’s what’s changing with Xbox Game Pass: pic.twitter.com/DeRyrSRhk6— Xbox Game Pass (@XboxGamePass) October 1, 2025

Despite the announcement, however, fans weren’t too happy with the price increase.

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Visitors walk past the Xbox booth at the Gamescom video games trade fair in Cologne, western Germany on August 22, 2024. According to organisers, around 1400 exhibitors from 64 countries will be presenting their products during the fair running until August 25, 2024. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP) (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)

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In response to the video, @zach_byler74 wrote: “Remember when it was $60 for an entire year of xbox live. Now it costs $60 for 2 months.”

@Xenosous agreed, adding: “‘Xbox Game Pass is getting an upgrade. We’ve listened to your feedback and now you have even more freedom…’ > Looks inside > 50% price increase.”

From the sounds of things, Microsoft has lost some gamers’ business, as @ProRebornYT wrote: “8 years of gamepass, its been a fun ride. I’m out. Not my fault as a customer your costs for making games have been going through the roof. AAA needs a crash or you need to stop being delusional with 200m+ budgets.”

One gamer, @TheJerkster, showed a screenshot after canceling Game Pass, writing: “Yeah screw this.”

He wasn’t the only one, @RainResignation shared a similar screenshot, adding: “So Gamepass we’ve listened to your feedback and we have a lot of options for you.”

Several fans like @salamixs are making the switch to PlayStation Plus: “Moving on to ps5 pro selling my xbox and getting ps5 pro.”

@BrizGz seemed to agree: “You guys are making PS plus look like a good deal with this junk. Keep up the good work.”

While the console wars seemed to be over, Microsoft’s latest move has proven to be quite polarizing.