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Microsoft Postpones Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Hike
Microsoft has confirmed that its planned Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price increase is being delayed in several regions, though U.S. and U.K. players won’t be affected.
The company recently announced a major change to its subscription model, raising the monthly cost from $19.99 to $29.99, marking a 50% jump that adds roughly $120 per year for gamers.
Why Microsoft Raised the Xbox Game Pass Price
To justify the new price, Microsoft expanded Game Pass benefits, including:
- 75+ day-one game releases per year
- Access to Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics
- Enhanced Xbox Cloud Gaming with better streaming quality
According to the company, the updated $30 per month fee reflects “the expanded catalog, new partner benefits, and upgraded cloud gaming experience.”
Fans Push Back Against the Price Increase
The change has caused widespread backlash within the gaming community. In an IGN poll with more than 41,000 votes, 53.9% of respondents said they no longer plan to subscribe to Game Pass, while 19.9% intend to keep their Ultimate plan despite the higher cost.
The new pricing rolled out for new subscribers on October 1, 2025, and was expected to affect existing members starting November 4 — but now, some players are catching a break.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Delay in Select Regions
Microsoft has delayed the price hike in certain countries such as Ireland and South Korea.
In these regions, current subscribers will keep their existing price as long as they maintain auto-renewal. However, canceling and re-subscribing will trigger the new higher rate.
In a statement to The Verge, Microsoft explained that this delay is due to “local requirements,” likely referring to regional regulations requiring advance notice for subscription price adjustments.
Unfortunately, subscribers in the United States and United Kingdom won’t benefit from this delay — the new pricing applies to them as scheduled.
Global Price Increase Still Expected
Microsoft confirmed:
“Our recent Game Pass update remains unchanged. Current subscribers in certain countries will continue renewing at their existing price for now, in line with local requirements. We’ll provide advance notice before price adjustments take effect in these countries.”
The phrase “for now” implies that the higher pricing will eventually apply worldwide, meaning every Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber will face the increase — it’s only a matter of when, not if.
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