Microsoft announced a significant reduction in Game Pass subscriptions this Tuesday. The Ultimate plan, which offers access to console, PC and cloud gaming, drops from $29.99 to $22.99 per month. The Game Pass PC goes from $16.49 to $13.99 per month. The new values take effect immediately for all users.
Redução responds to accessibility criticism
The adjustment comes just months after a previous increase that took Ultimate close to $30. Microsoft cited user feedback about the cost of the service as the main motivation for the change. The company internally recognized that the price was high for many players. The reduction represents a 23% drop in the Ultimate and 15% in the Game Pass PC.
Usuários with an active subscription will receive the new amount on the next billing. The update was detailed in an official statement on Xbox Wire. Preços may vary by region and local currency. Microsoft has not yet released exact values for Brasil in this initial communication.
Mudança on release strategy Call of Duty
Futuros titles from the Call of Duty franchise no longer reach Game Pass on launch day. The new games will only enter the catalog during the holiday season of the following year, approximately 12 months after launch. Jogos series already present in the library continue to be available normally. The latest title remains on sale for US$69.99 for those who want to play at its debut.
- 23% Redução on Game Pass Ultimate (from $29.99 to $22.99)
- 15% Queda on PC Game Pass (from $16.49 to $13.99)
- Vigência from April 21, 2026
- Novos Call of Duty arrives on service 12 months after launch
Nova leadership seeks to rebuild relationships with the community
Asha Sharma took over Microsoft’s gaming division in February, replacing Phil Spencer. Relatos indicate that the executive internally assessed the price of Game Pass as a barrier for many consumers. The gaming segment represented around 7% of Microsoft’s total revenue in the most recent quarter. Vendas hardware fell 32% in the period. Content and services revenue was below internal projections.
The company completed the acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 for US$75.4 billion. The Game Pass catalog has hundreds of titles for download and streaming. The Ultimate service offers game library, online multiplayer and additional benefits like EA Play in certain situations.
Impacto in the game subscription market
The cut comes in the context of fierce competition with PlayStation Plus and other cloud platforms. Analistas monitors whether the measure influences subscriber retention and growth. Microsoft reported 34 million Game Pass subscribers in 2024 data. The company did not release updated numbers this Tuesday.
The reduction can attract new subscribers or encourage users who canceled after the last adjustment. Microsoft stated that they heard feedback from players from different profiles and regions. The objective is to make the subscription more accessible while maintaining the core value proposition. The official statement reinforces that there is no single ideal model for all audiences.
Como access the new prices
Usuários can check the updated price directly on the Xbox app or on the Microsoft official website. The company recommends checking regional values, as conversions and taxes vary depending on location. The update does not affect games already included in the catalog. Apenas new releases of Call of Duty follow the delayed 12-month schedule. Outros first-party and third-party releases continue with normal inclusion according to the service’s history. The company must monitor the reception of the measure in the coming weeks.
