Microsoft has officially cut the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and the change is already in effect. After a 50% price hike just six months ago that triggered mass cancellations, new Xbox chief Asha Sharma has reversed course in what many are calling one of the most significant consumer-friendly moves in Xbox’s recent history. Here is everything you need to know about the new prices, what changed, and whether it is worth subscribing now.
What Are the New Xbox Game Pass Prices?
The price reductions went into effect on April 22, 2026. Existing subscribers will see the new rate apply from their next monthly billing date. Here is the full breakdown of what changed:
| Plan | Old Price | New Price |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $29.99/month | $22.99/month |
| PC Game Pass | $16.49/month | $13.99/month |
Prices may vary by region. Microsoft has not yet confirmed whether the Essential and Premium tiers will also receive price adjustments.
The change amounts to a $7 monthly saving on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which works out to $84 less per year for subscribers on the Ultimate plan.
Why Did Microsoft Drop the Price?
The price cut comes directly in response to subscriber feedback and a significant wave of cancellations that followed last October’s price hike. Xbox chief Asha Sharma, who took over from the now-retired Phil Spencer just two months ago, was quoted in a leaked internal memo saying that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate had become “too expensive for players.
“In a public statement posted to Xbox Wire on April 21, 2026, the official message from Team Xbox confirmed that the change “responds to a lot of feedback we’ve gotten so far.”
For context, Microsoft raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $20 to $30 per month last October, a jarring 50% jump that led to so many cancellations that the cancellation page reportedly crashed on the day the announcement went live. The new $22.99 price still sits $3 above where the service was before the hike, however it represents a meaningful step back toward accessibility.
What Is the Trade-Off? Call of Duty Day One Access Is Gone
The price reduction does come with one significant change that will affect a portion of subscribers. New Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass on launch day. Starting this year, new Call of Duty releases will be added to both plans during the following holiday season, roughly a year after their original release.
Existing Call of Duty titles already in the library will continue to be available as normal. Only future new releases are affected by this change.
Here is how the maths look for Call of Duty players specifically:
| Scenario | Annual Cost |
| Old Ultimate (with day-one CoD) | $359.88/year |
| New Ultimate + buy CoD separately | $275.88 + ~$69.99 = ~$345.87/year |
| New Ultimate (without buying CoD) | $275.88/year |
Even for subscribers who do want to buy Call of Duty at launch, the combined cost of the new subscription price plus a full-price copy of the game still works out to approximately $14 less per year than the old all-inclusive Ultimate price at $30 per month.
What Do You Still Get With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Despite the Call of Duty change, the Ultimate plan remains a broad subscription. Here is what remains included:
- Access to hundreds of games on Xbox console and PC
- Current Call of Duty titles already in the library
- Day-one access to major first-party Xbox releases
- In-game benefits and bonuses
- Online console multiplayer
- Unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming
- EA Play access
- Ubisoft Classics library
- Fortnite Crew benefits
What the New CEO Said
Asha Sharma has made it clear that the price cut is just the beginning of broader changes to the Game Pass model. In her leaked internal memo, she stated: “Game Pass is central to gaming value on Xbox. It’s also clear that the current model isn’t the final one. Long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system, which will take time to test and learn around.”
Reports suggest Sharma is also considering a new tier that would include only first-party Xbox games, which could offer a more affordable entry point for players who do not need the full Ultimate package. No pricing or timeline for this has been confirmed yet, however.
Community Reaction
The response from the gaming community has been largely positive, though opinions remain divided. Many former subscribers who cancelled at $30 have expressed interest in returning, while others feel the new price still does not represent enough of a saving to justify resubscribing. Some fans have pointed out that removing Call of Duty day-one access was the right trade-off, particularly those who do not play the franchise. Others feel the $3 difference from the pre-hike price of $20 per month is still noticeable.
A recurring request from the community is the removal of Fortnite Crew perks from the Ultimate bundle, with some players suggesting a further price reduction could follow if that partnership contract ends.
Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Worth It Now?
Here is a straightforward breakdown to help you decide:
| Player Type | Verdict |
| You don’t play Call of Duty | Strong value at $22.99/month with hundreds of games and day-one first-party releases |
| You play Call of Duty every year | Still cheaper annually to subscribe and buy CoD separately than the old $30 plan |
| You primarily play older or indie games | Good value, though buying games on sale may still work out cheaper depending on how many titles you play |
| You cancelled at $30 | Worth reconsidering at the new price, especially with major first-party releases like Fable and Gears of War: E-Day expected this year |
| You prefer to own games outright | Subscription may still not suit your playstyle regardless of price |
You can subscribe to or manage your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan directly via the Xbox website or through the Microsoft Store on your console or PC.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| New Ultimate price | $22.99/month (down from $29.99) |
| New PC Game Pass price | $13.99/month (down from $16.49) |
| Effective date | April 22, 2026 |
| Annual saving on Ultimate | $84/year |
| Call of Duty day-one access | Removed, new titles added ~1 year after launch |
| Existing CoD titles | Remain available in the library |
| Xbox CEO | Asha Sharma |
| Previous price before hike | $20/month |
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