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Microsoft lowers Game Pass prices, drops Call of Duty from day-one offerings
AppWizard
April 22, 2026

Microsoft lowers Game Pass prices, drops Call of Duty from day-one offerings

Microsoft's subscription gaming service is reducing the price of Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 per month and the PC Game Pass subscription from .49 to .99 per month. These changes are part of a global pricing strategy and will be reflected in the next billing cycle for current subscribers. New Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch but will be added during the subsequent holiday season. The price adjustment reduces the annual cost of Game Pass Ultimate from 4 to 0, saving subscribers . The total number of subscribers reached 34 million in early 2024.
Xbox Announces Price Reductions For Game Pass Ultimate & PC Game Pass
AppWizard
April 22, 2026

Xbox Announces Price Reductions For Game Pass Ultimate & PC Game Pass

Microsoft has announced a reduction in the pricing of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. In the United States, the monthly fee for Xbox Game Pass will decrease from .99 to .99, and PC Game Pass will drop from .99 to .99. Adjustments in pricing for other regions are being implemented. Additionally, future installments of the Call of Duty franchise will no longer be available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on their launch day, but will be accessible approximately one year after their initial release.
Xbox Lowers Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass Prices
AppWizard
April 22, 2026

Xbox Lowers Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass Prices

The company is changing its strategy for major first-party releases, specifically the Call of Duty franchise. New entries will no longer be available on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass on launch day; instead, they will be added to the subscription service about a year later, around the next holiday season. This shift is likely a response to the challenges of the subscription service's lower price point and aims to stabilize revenue, though it may risk subscriber cancellations. Existing Call of Duty titles will remain accessible to current subscribers. The adjustment reflects a hybrid strategy in development and publishing, balancing subscription models with traditional sales to manage rising production costs. Microsoft is also lowering the barrier to entry to maintain platform appeal while delaying premium launches to protect revenue opportunities.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
April 22, 2026

Microsoft Changes Windows Security After 15 Years—Update By ‘End Of April’

Microsoft is updating the Secure Boot certificates for Windows PCs, which have been in place since 2011. This update will begin with the April security patch rollout and is expected to be fully deployed across PCs by the end of April 2026. Users can check the status of the Secure Boot update by navigating to Windows Security > Device security > Secure Boot, where a color-coded badge will indicate the current status. The update will install new certificates and confirm if user action is necessary. If the badge is red, immediate attention is required. Microsoft is enhancing the visibility of the Secure Boot certificate status within Windows Security to aid users in verifying the update. The certificates will not expire for several more weeks, so users should check their systems by the end of the month.
Back in 2009, an experimental free-to-play Battlefield predicted our grim live service present: 'It will need to be the most popular Battlefield game of all time to be profitable'
AppWizard
April 22, 2026

Back in 2009, an experimental free-to-play Battlefield predicted our grim live service present: ‘It will need to be the most popular Battlefield game of all time to be profitable’

The term "free-to-play" was not common in gaming until the late 2000s, when major publishers began exploring free versions of their flagship franchises. Battlefield Heroes was a significant experiment as a PC-exclusive spin-off that marked a high-profile franchise's entry into the free-to-play model. EA's senior producer Ben Cousins described it as a substantial risk that needed unprecedented popularity to be profitable. The game featured a real-time feedback development philosophy and introduced daily challenges, which became common in the shooter genre. Initially, players could only purchase superior weapons with in-game currency, but by late 2009, EA shifted to a pay-to-win model. Battlefield Heroes had a six-year lifespan before being discontinued in 2015.
PC and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions just dropped around the world—here are the new prices in Australia
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.
Hate the Windows 11 Taskbar? Here’s the ultimate way to bring back a classic look from Windows 95 to Windows Vista
Winsage
April 22, 2026

Hate the Windows 11 Taskbar? Here’s the ultimate way to bring back a classic look from Windows 95 to Windows Vista

Windows 11 has received criticism for its restrictive Taskbar, with users wanting the ability to reposition it to the top of the screen. RetroBar is a free application that restores functionalities from earlier Windows versions, allowing users to customize the Taskbar's position and appearance, including nostalgic themes from Windows XP, Longhorn, and Vista. RetroBar supports custom designs, is compatible with multi-monitor setups, and can be easily installed from GitHub. Users can revert to the standard Windows 11 Taskbar with a simple exit command. The application offers various themes and can be set to launch at startup. RetroBar's code is available on GitHub, including a native ARM64 build for Snapdragon devices.
Xbox Drops the Price of Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, But Loses Day One Call of Duty Games
AppWizard
April 21, 2026

Xbox Drops the Price of Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, But Loses Day One Call of Duty Games

Microsoft has reduced the subscription prices for Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 per month and for PC Game Pass from .99 to .99 per month. Future Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch; instead, they will be added during the subsequent holiday season, approximately one year after their initial release. Existing Call of Duty titles will remain accessible to subscribers. The changes were made in response to financial considerations and feedback from players regarding the previous pricing. Asha Sharma, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, stated that Game Pass Ultimate had become too expensive for many players.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass gets a price cut, but there’s a catch
AppWizard
April 21, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass gets a price cut, but there’s a catch

The newly appointed CEO of Xbox has reduced the monthly subscription price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 and for PC Game Pass from .99 to .99, effective immediately. The other tiers of the Game Pass lineup will maintain their current pricing. Future Call of Duty titles will not be available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass at launch but will be added during the following holiday season, while existing Call of Duty titles will remain available.
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