Xbox Game Pass Just Got A Huge Price Hike - Because “More Value” Apparently Means $29.99 Now

Well, Microsoft has done it. Again. Starting now, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will cost you a cool $29.99/month - a 50% price hike that hit faster than a rage-quit in Elden Ring.

According to Microsoft, this $10 jump is all about "more value, more benefits, and more great games." Translation: they shuffled the tier names around, threw in some new titles, and are now charging you the equivalent of a mid-tier streaming service plus a cup of coffee.

Game Pass Core? Gone. Standard users? Welcome to the newly dubbed Premium tier. Meanwhile, Ultimate subscribers now get access to 400+ games, 75+ day-one releases per year, higher streaming quality (up to 1440p if your internet can handle it), and - wait for it - a rewards program. Because nothing says "we appreciate you" like handing you a virtual punch card while reaching into your wallet.

Here's the kicker: Microsoft made almost $5 billion off Game Pass last year. They have 34 million subscribers. And now they want even more. I get it - value, growth, corporate buzzwords, etc. But for those of us who signed up back when it felt like a ridiculous bargain, this just feels like maybe it was too good to be true.