Xbox Game Pass Price Cut Announced as Call of Duty Day-One Releases Removed

Image via Microsoft

Microsoft has made significant changes to its gaming plans. The company has reduced Xbox Game Pass prices while also removing a popular feature.

Game Pass Ultimate now costs $22.99 per month (down from $29.99), while PC Game Pass costs $13.99 (down from $16.49). This makes the service more affordable to players. But there is a catch. New Call of Duty games will not be available on day one. Instead, they will be added to Game Pass approximately a year after their release.

A Strategic Reset for Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft says the decision is based on feedback from players all over the world. Instead of using the same model for everyone, the company is now adjusting prices and game release dates to provide better value while making sure the service's longevity..

Image via Activision Blizzard

There is no difference for current players when it comes to older titles. Existing Call of Duty games on Xbox Game Pass will remain available, guaranteeing subscribers do not lose their access.

This change is significant, especially given Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. That deal was heavily focused on Call of Duty's future, and at the time, having new games available on Game Pass from the start was viewed as a significant advantage.

Why is Microsoft making these changes?

Money is a major factor driving this change. Microsoft was reportedly losing a lot of potential game sales—possibly hundreds of millions of dollars—because players preferred to play new Call of Duty releases through Xbox Game Pass rather than purchase them separately.

At the same time, the growth of Game Pass subscriptions has slowed. The service had approximately 34 million users in 2024, and the number has not been growing as quickly as expected.

Asha Sharma, Microsoft's new gaming head, also admitted that the service had become prohibitively expensive for many players. She said the company needs to make changes to make Game Pass more affordable and compelling again.

Despite these changes, Microsoft claims that nothing is being taken away from current subscribers. Players will continue to receive the same game libraries, cloud gaming access, and additional features such as EA Play. Lower-tier plans, such as Essential and Premium on Xbox Game Pass, will remain unchanged in terms of price and features, providing players with more affordable options if they do not want the full Ultimate plan.

The gaming industry is currently undergoing major shifts. Game development is becoming more expensive, players are shifting how they buy and play games, and competition is stronger than ever. As a result, major corporations such as Microsoft are experimenting with new pricing and service delivery strategies.

For Xbox Game Pass, this could be just the beginning of bigger updates. Experts believe that new subscription plans, bundled offers, and more flexible pricing will be introduced in the future. For the time being, one thing is clear: Game Pass is becoming more affordable, but not all games will be available on the first day.