Microsoft is preparing a major restructuring of its Xbox Game Pass service,slated for implementation by September 2026. The overhaul introduces tiered pricing and significantly alters how players access blockbuster franchises.
The $9.99 value proposition of 2017
The evolution of Xbox Game Pass reflects a broader shift in how digital subscriptions manage inflation and library expansion. When the service first debuted in June 2017, subscribers could access over 100 titles for just $9.99 per month. This era was defined by high-value, low-cost entry points that helped Microsoft attempt to reclaim its standing in the console market. At the time, Xbox Live members even enjoyed a 14-day free trial to explore the growing library.
As the report details, the upcoming changes suggest a move toward fragmentation. The new Essential Plan, also priced at $9.99, will reportedly offer only 50+ titles and a limited five hours of monthly cloud playtime. This represents a 50% reduction in game availability for the same entry-level price point.
The one-year delay for Call of Duty titles
A major point of contention in the new model is the treatment of the Call of Duty franchise. following an announcement in April 2026, Microsoft will no longer include new Call of Duty releases on the Game Pass Ultimate or PC tiers on their launch day. Instead, these massive titles will be added to the service approximately one year later , during the following holiday season.
This shift marks a significant departure from the "day-one" promise that once defined the service's appeal. While other upcoming titles like Minecraft Dungeons II and Dune: Awakening will still receive immediate access, the removal of the Call of Duty day-one perk is expected to frustrate a large portion of the Xbox fanbase .
A $22.99 price tag for the Ultimate tier
To maintain the premium experience , Microsoft is pushing users toward much higher monthly costs. The Ultimate Plan is set to cost $22.99 per month, more than doubling the original 2017 price. This tier remains the only way to access over 500 games with day-one availability for new Xbox-published titles.
For those looking for a middle ground, the Premium Plan will cost $14.99 monthly , offerring over 200 games but delaying access to new Xbox-published titles for up to a year. According to the source, the Ultimate tier also bundles additional services such as EA Play, Fortnite Crew, and Ubisoft+ Classics to justify the steep price increase.
Will the $13.99 PC tier survive the Call of Duty shift?
The restructuring also leaves the PC-only subscription in a state of uncertainty. As of September 2026, the PC tier will cost $13.99 monthly and offer access to over 300 games, including EA Play and day-one access for many new titles.
However,the loss of immediate Call of Duty access raises a critical question: will the PC audience remain loyal if the service's biggest draw is delayed? The report does not clarify if Microsoft plans to offer any specific compensations for PC players who previously relied on the service for same-day access to major shooters. Furthermore, it remains unverified how the shift will impact the competitive balance between the $14.99 Premium Plan and the $13.99 PC-only tier.
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