Microsoft has made a significant adjustment to its Game Pass offerings, announcing a reduction in the subscription prices for both Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The new pricing structure sees Game Pass Ultimate decrease from .99 to .99 per month, while PC Game Pass will now be available for .99, down from .49.
Changes to Call of Duty Access
In a notable shift, the company revealed that future titles in the popular Call of Duty franchise will no longer be available on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch. Instead, these new releases will be added to the service during the subsequent holiday season, approximately one year after their initial release. However, existing Call of Duty titles currently in the library will remain accessible to subscribers.
The Xbox team emphasized that this decision does not affect other benefits associated with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Subscribers can still look forward to first-party and third-party games being available on day one, maintaining the service’s reputation as a valuable gaming option.
This strategic pivot comes in response to financial considerations, as Bloomberg previously reported that including new Call of Duty titles in Game Pass resulted in a staggering 0 million in lost sales for Microsoft. Additionally, the previous price point of .99 per month was deemed too steep for many subscribers, particularly those who were not invested in the Call of Duty series. Asha Sharma, the newly appointed CEO of Microsoft Gaming, publicly acknowledged this sentiment, stating, “Game Pass Ultimate has become too expensive for too many players.”
Game Pass Ultimate has become too expensive for too many players. Starting today, we’re dropping the price from .99 to .99/month.
Future Call of Duty titles will no longer join Game Pass Ultimate on day one. They will join this tier the following holiday after launch (about…
— Asha (@asha_shar) April 21, 2026
In light of this feedback, the Xbox team reiterated their commitment to listening to their diverse player base, which spans various geographies, preferences, and gaming tastes. They acknowledged that while there is no one-size-fits-all model, these changes reflect the valuable insights they have received from their community.
