Xbox Game Pass should become cheaper soon, says internal Microsoft memo
The Xbox Game Pass may undergo price reductions or changes to improve value for money. An internal memo obtained by the press points out that the service became too expensive for many players after the last adjustment. The executive in charge of the games division at Microsoft recognizes the problem and signals short-term adjustments.
Asha Sharma, who took over as CEO of Microsoft Gaming in February 2026, sent the document to the division’s employees. Ela highlights that Game Pass remains central to value in the Xbox ecosystem. However, the current model is not definitive. In the short term, the company is looking for a better value equation for players. In the long term, the plan is to evolve the service into a more flexible system.
Internal memo highlights the need for immediate adjustments
The text recognizes that the recent increase has made the service less accessible. In October 2025, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate rose 50% and cost $29.99 per month. The adjustment accompanied the inclusion of more benefits, such as access to popular series and improvements to the catalog. Muitos subscribers reacted with cancellations and criticism of the new price.
Sharma mentions that the focus now is to rebuild the appeal for long-time fans of the Xbox brand. The executive also reinforces the commitment to developers who create broad experiences and to players who have been following the platform for 25 years. The document reinforces that games are art made by humans, even with the advancement of technologies such as artificial intelligence.
More on this story: Microsoft reduces Game Pass Ultimate and PC prices by up to 36% starting in April
Context of the price increase in 2025
The rally in Ultimate occurred in October 2025, when Microsoft restructured the plans for Game Pass. The main tier incorporated more titles, including the series Call of Duty after the acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. Outros plans received new names: Essential in place of Core and Premium in place of Microsoft0.
Ultimate went from $19.99 to $29.99 per month. The other tiers maintained lower prices, with Essential at $9.99 and Premium at $14.99. The change was intended to reflect the expanded catalog, additional benefits and improvements to cloud gaming. Ainda Thus, the higher value sparked debate about accessibility.
- Ultimate offers launch day gaming, online multiplayer, cloud gaming and access to hundreds of titles on console, PC and supported devices.
- Premium gives you access to new Xbox games within a year and remains priced at $14.99.
- Essential includes curated library, multiplayer and cloud gaming for $9.99.
- The inclusion of Call of Duty in the catalog was one of the factors cited to justify the readjustment of the main tier.
Previous statements from Asha Sharma
When he took office in February 2026, Sharma had already sent another memo to employees. On that occasion, she promised a renewed commitment to Xbox fans and expansion to PC, mobile and cloud. The executive also stated that the company will not prioritize short-term efficiency or fill the ecosystem with poor quality AI-generated content.
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These positions appear again in the most recent document about Game Pass. Sharma reinforces that monetization and AI will influence the future, but without compromising the essence of games as human creations. The text indicates that any evolution of the service will require testing and learning over time.
Possible paths to greater flexibility
The memo does not detail new values or dates for changes. Ele only signals that the company is evaluating options to improve access and the value perceived by players. Fontes who followed the subject mention discussions about more accessible tiers or adjustments to the current model.
Microsoft has not yet publicly confirmed changes. Qualquer The new feature must undergo internal testing before reaching subscribers. The declared focus is to maintain Game Pass as a pillar of the Xbox ecosystem while correcting points that alienated part of the public after the 2025 increase.
Learn more: Big releases coming to Xbox Game Pass in June with Call of Duty Vanguard
Community reaction and importance of the service
Game Pass has grown as one of the top ways to access games on Xbox. Milhões of subscribers use the service to try new titles without individual purchases. The price debate reflects the balance the company seeks between revenue and user retention.
Sharma, who came from Microsoft’s AI practice, took over the division at a time of transition. Seu background includes stints at other technology companies, but the games sector requires special attention to player feedback. The memo suggests that current leadership listens to complaints about cost and seeks practical solutions.
