Microsoft has flipped the script on its Game Pass strategy. After facing backlash over steep price hikes last year, the US-based tech giant has now reduced subscription costs across key markets, including India. But there’s a catch. Alongside the price drop, the tech giant is also rethinking how some of its biggest titles, especially Call of Duty, arrive on the platform.
Game Pass Gets Cheaper (Finally)
Let’s start with the good news. Microsoft has trimmed the pricing of its two main Game Pass tiers. In the US, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $22.99 per month, down from $29.99. That’s a big drop of nearly 25 percent. The PC Game Pass has also seen a cut, now priced at $13.99 instead of $16.49.
In India, the Game Pass Ultimate plan now costs Rs. 1,089 per month, compared to the earlier Rs. 1,389. The PC Game Pass has been adjusted to Rs. 879, down from Rs. 939 on the Microsoft Store. Microsoft has clarified that pricing may vary depending on the region.
Explaining the move, Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma said, “Game Pass Ultimate has become too expensive for too many players. Starting today, we’re dropping the price from $29.99 to $22.99/month.”
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But There’s A Trade-Off
While subscriptions are now cheaper, Microsoft is pulling back on one of Game Pass’s biggest selling points. Future Call of Duty titles will no longer arrive on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass on day one. Instead, players may have to wait until the holiday season following the game’s release, which could mean a delay of several months. This is a notable shift, especially since recent entries like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 were available to subscribers right at launch. Microsoft, which owns Activision Blizzard, seems to be recalibrating its approach here. That said, existing Call of Duty titles already available on Game Pass aren’t going anywhere. They’ll remain part of the library.
What Stays The Same
Despite this change, Game Pass Ultimate still offers day-one access to other first-party Microsoft titles. Subscribers will also continue to get perks like online multiplayer, Xbox Cloud Gaming and additional in-game benefits. The Bill Gates-founded company summed up its decision by saying, “Our players cover a wide breadth of geographies, preferences, and tastes, so while there isn’t a single model that’s best for everyone, this change responds to a lot of feedback we’ve gotten so far. We’ll continue to listen and learn.”
