Xbox Game Pass price increase won’t affect some subscribers

Following Microsoft’s announcement that it has overhauled its Game Pass tiers, the company has clarified what the change means for players who still have an Xbox Game Pass for Console subscription active after being grandfathered into the plan last year. Xbox confirms that anyone who currently has a legacy Console subscription and recurring payments turned on will not be impacted by the pricing changes.

Earlier this week, Xbox revealed that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will now cost $29.99 a month in a controversial move for subscribers. That change comes alongside two renamed tiers, Premium and Essential, which switch up the service’s offerings and do not include day-one game releases. That shift followed another change in 2024, which got rid of Xbox Game Pass for Console in favor of Core and Standard tiers. At the time, Xbox allowed current Console subscribers to hang on to their subscription at the same $11-per-month price point and with all perks, including day-one releases. In a statement to Polygon, Microsoft confirmed that players who are still subscribed to the Console tier will not be shifted to another plan for the time being.

“Players who are currently subscribed to Xbox Game Pass for Console and have automatic payment renewal enabled can continue their subscription,” a representative from Xbox told Polygon via email. “If players turn off automatic payment renewal, or their subscription lapses, they will need to select between Essential, Premium, Ultimate or PC Game Pass plans when rejoining.”

The perks and pricing of that plan will not be changing either, according to Xbox: “Day one games are available with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions, as well as for subscribers who still have an active Game Pass for Console subscription. Players who are currently subscribed to Xbox Game Pass for Console and have automatic payment renewal enabled can continue their subscription at $10.99/month.”

When asked, an Xbox spokesperson did not confirm how long legacy Console subscriptions will remain active for current subscribers.

Not sure if you’re still on a Console plan? To check, head over to the Game Pass website and log in with your Microsoft account. Click your usename in the top right corner of the page once logged in and click My Microsoft Account. If you see “Xbox Game Pass for Console” listed as an active subscription, you’ll still be able to get day-one games at $11 a month so long as you have recurring payments turned on. Make sure to stop and check if you still have that golden ticket before canceling your subscription, as you won’t be able to get back into it once you cancel.