Microsoft Hikes Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price by 50%

Gamers are about to feel a major pinch in their wallets. Microsoft announced Wednesday that the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription will now cost $30 per month, or $360 per year—a 50% increase from its previous rate.

The move instantly sparked backlash online, with social media filled with players saying they plan to cancel their memberships rather than pay the new price.

Sticker Shock Compared to PlayStation

For perspective, Sony’s most expensive PlayStation Plus tier comes in at just $160 annually—less than half of what Xbox gamers will now be charged for Game Pass Ultimate.

Console Price Hike Also Incoming

The subscription news lands at the same time as previously announced price increases for the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, which are set to take effect this month. That’s notable because raising prices on hardware that’s already five years old runs counter to the industry’s usual pattern—consoles typically become cheaper over time as production costs drop.

What Isn’t Changing

Microsoft confirmed that lower Game Pass tiers will stay at their current prices, at least for now.

The decision underscores just how much the economics of gaming are shifting, as companies lean more heavily on subscription models to drive revenue. For gamers, though, the question is simple: is the Ultimate tier still worth the price?