Game Pass subscriptions Archives

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

PC and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions just dropped around the world—here are the new prices in Australia

Microsoft has adjusted its subscription pricing for PC and Xbox Game Pass, reducing prices from the increases implemented in October, but still above previous rates. New releases of Call of Duty games will no longer be available at launch on any Game Pass tiers, with access expected about a year later. The updated pricing for Xbox Game Pass in Australia as of April 2026 is as follows: - Xbox Game Pass Essential: n/a - Xbox Game Pass Premium: n/a - Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: AU.95 - PC Game Pass: AU.95 (previously AU.45) Recent additions to the PC Game Pass library include titles like Albion Online, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Replaced, Tiny Bookshop, Planet of Lana 2, and Super Meat Boy 3D. Subscribers can choose a month-to-month plan without long-term commitments.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Microsoft announces surprise Xbox Game Pass price cuts, ends day one Call of Duty inclusion — Ultimate down to $22.99 while PC Game Pass drops to $13.99

Microsoft has reduced the prices of its Game Pass subscriptions, with Game Pass Ultimate decreasing from .99 to .99 and PC Game Pass from .49 to .99 per month. This decision follows previous price increases in 2024 and a 50% hike in 2025, which resulted in many cancellations. Gamers interested in Call of Duty titles will face delays of about a year for new releases, but existing titles will remain available. The price reduction is part of a strategy under Asha Sharma, who recently took over the division.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Xbox Game Pass prices are going down, but future Call of Duty games won’t be added until ‘about a year’ after they launch

Microsoft has reduced the monthly subscription fees for Game Pass services: Game Pass Ultimate is now priced at .99, down from .99, and PC Game Pass has decreased from .49 to .99. This price cut does not revert Game Pass to its pre-October 2025 levels. The decision follows strong sales of Black Ops 6, which generated 0 million in revenue from Game Pass at launch, while 82% of the game's full-price sales were on PlayStation 5. Microsoft indicated that the changes respond to player feedback and reflect a strategic shift under the new head of Xbox, Asha Sharma.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Newzoo: More than half of PC revenue comes from games outside the Top 20

Recent insights from Newzoo indicate a shift in the gaming landscape, with games ranked outside the Top 20 gaining revenue and playtime in Western markets. Between 2022 and 2025, PC games in this category saw their revenue share increase from 48% to 56%, and playtime rise from 33% to 45%. This trend is notable in key markets such as the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. While traditional shooter games are declining, genres like action RPGs and survival games are thriving, with titles such as Path of Exile 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds leading the way. By 2025, lower-ranked titles are projected to account for 38% of total revenue on PlayStation, up from 33% in 2022, with playtime for these titles increasing by 32%. On Xbox, games outside the Top 20 saw a 12% increase in playtime, representing 35% of revenue in 2025. Game Pass subscriptions are suggested to enhance playtime for these titles.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

PC Gamers Have 2 More Days to Play One of the Best Survival Games For Free

From April 2nd to April 6th, players can download and play Subnautica for free on Steam and the Epic Games Store. After this period, a 75% discount will be available until April 9th on Steam and April 7th on the Epic Games Store. Subnautica will also be featured in Xbox Free Play Days from April 9th to 12th. The game is accessible on multiple platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Game Pass is about to lose its most immersive, hardcore survival game, so play it while you can

Stalker 2 and Frostpunk are set to exit Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service on Saturday, November 15. Stalker 2, known for its FPS combat and narrative set in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, has improved since its initial release. Frostpunk challenges players to build a city in a post-disaster world and will be succeeded by Frostpunk 2, which remains available on Game Pass. Other titles leaving on the same date include Blacksmith Master, Football Manager 2024, and Spirittea.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

Game Pass subscribers ‘in certain countries’ will not be affected by the price increase, at least ‘for now,’ because sometimes government regulation is actually a good thing

Microsoft announced that subscribers in select countries will not face a Game Pass price increase for now, as long as they are on a recurring plan that automatically renews. Some subscribers received emails confirming their rates would remain unchanged, while others were informed of a price increase. Subscribers on the legacy Game Pass for Console plan can maintain their current rates with automatic renewals. GameStop will continue to offer Game Pass Ultimate at the unchanged price of .99. The timeline for the price increase has shifted, extending the grace period to a minimum of 60 days before any potential increase, originally set for November 4.

Winsage

October 6, 2025

Is Windows about to get interesting again?

The latest episode of the Windows Central Podcast discusses significant developments in the Windows ecosystem, including organizational changes at Microsoft and the potential arrival of Windows 12. It also highlights Qualcomm's unveiling of the new Snapdragon X2 chips, which enhance mobile computing capabilities. The podcast addresses the impending end-of-life for Windows 10, emphasizing the importance of annual feature updates for user experience and system performance. Additionally, it covers modifications to Microsoft's 365 and Game Pass subscriptions and their implications for users and gamers. Listeners are invited to engage with the podcast by sharing thoughts and questions via email.

AppWizard

October 5, 2025

Microsoft reportedly estimated that Game Pass led to $300 million in lost sales of Black Ops 6, with 82% of copies sold being on the Game Pass-less PlayStation 5

A Bloomberg report indicates that Microsoft's Game Pass may be struggling, as the company estimates significant revenue loss from Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 due to its availability on the service. Game Pass lacks real-time performance metrics, unlike platforms such as Steam. Microsoft claims Game Pass is growing, but this is contradicted by recent layoffs and studio closures within Xbox. To offset the revenue loss from Black Ops 6, Game Pass would have needed around 15 million new Ultimate-tier subscribers for one month or 1.25 million over a year before any price increases. As of 2024, Game Pass had 34 million subscribers, a figure not updated this year. The subscription model's pricing structure is complex, and flagship titles like Black Ops 6 are expected to generate more revenue than the subscription model provides. Despite Black Ops 6 setting records for new Game Pass subscriptions, 82% of its sales occurred on PlayStation 5. Concerns about Game Pass's effectiveness in maximizing revenue for high-profile titles have arisen, alongside worries about the gaming industry's overall health due to studio closures and price hikes.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

You can still save on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Microsoft has raised prices for select tiers of Xbox Game Pass, increasing the Ultimate tier from .99 to .99 per month and the PC Game Pass from .99 to .49 per month. Consumers can find better deals through retailers like Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, and Walmart, where a one-month subscription to Game Pass Ultimate is available for .99 and a three-month option for .99. A three-month bundle for PC Game Pass is also available for .99, maintaining the previous pricing structure.