Xbox Game Pass has long been hailed as a revolutionary service and the reason to own an Xbox console. But recent changes have stirred up a storm among fans. Microsoft announced a significant price hike for its most popular tiers, and the backlash has been swift and vocal. The Ultimate tier jumped from $19.99 to $29.99 per month, while PC Game Pass rose from $11.99 to $16.49. This comes hot on the heels of mass layoffs, the cancellation of highly anticipated games and the 2nd price increase of the year for Xbox consoles and the premium $1000 Asus ROG Ally X handheld. The “value proposition” was Xbox‘s biggest perk, now that has completely gone out the window. And the service once heralded as the “best deal in gaming” is now facing online backlash from disgruntled gamers.
The Dilemma
Fans are rightfully upset about this steep 50% increase for Ultimate. Springing such a jump on customers overnight is never going to sit well. If Microsoft had gradually ramped up the price over 4-5 years, creeping toward $29.99, it might not have felt like such a slap in the face. I fully support the idea that consumers should speak with their wallets if they feel the value isn’t there or if a company is making misguided moves. Cancel if it doesn’t align with your principles; that’s the power of choice in a market-driven industry.
That said, even with this price bump, I can still confidently proclaim that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains the best deal in gaming to me. I know this isn’t the popular take right now—especially for casual users who dip in and out without fully utilizing the service. But for those who dive deep, there are more than enough new benefits and added value that many are overlooking amid the outrage over the cost. At the current price point, here’s why Game Pass is still worth every penny to me.
Essentials and Premium Tiers Are Still Good
If you were previously subscribed to the lower tiers like Core (now rebranded as Essential) or Standard (now Premium), you’re actually coming out ahead with no extra cost. These tiers have gained a ton of new features without any price increase. Cloud gaming, which used to be exclusive to PC and Ultimate subscribers, is now available across every tier. You can play your favorites on the go or try a game before committing to a download.
On top of that, in-game rewards and unlocks are expanding downward. Partnerships like the one with Riot Games (unlocking all Champions in League of Legends and Agents in Valorant) are now accessible to lower tiers, too. The revamped rewards system will also trickle benefits to Essentials and Premium subscribers. If you were content without the Day One releases that define Ultimate, you’re in a winning position: more perks, same price.
Fortnite Crew Subscribers Hit the Jackpot
If you’re one of the dedicated few (like me) who subscribe to both Fortnite Crew and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft has essentially tailored this update for you. Fortnite Crew delivers incredible value on its own: access to all four paid Battle Passes in Fortnite, the Rocket Pass in Rocket League, exclusive skins, and 1,000 V-Bucks every month—all for $11.99.
Previously, stacking both subscriptions meant shelling out $31.98 per month ($19.99 for Ultimate + $11.99 for Crew). But starting November 18, 2025, Fortnite Crew is bundled directly into Game Pass Ultimate as a new perk. That means you’re now saving nearly $2 per month if you were paying for both, effectively softening the blow of the $10 increase. Of course, this won’t resonate at all if Fortnite isn’t your thing. It probably feels like you’re just paying an extra $10 for nothing. But there’s a massive addition to Ultimate (and PC) that was announced, and it’s flying under the radar for most. And no, it’s not just the Ubisoft+ Classics, though that’s a nice bonus too.
Where the Real Value Lies
One of the biggest countermeasures to the price hike has slipped past most people’s notice, largely because Microsoft botched the marketing on it (who would’ve thought). If Fortnite and Ubisoft games don’t excite you, and you’re questioning whether that’s all the $10 bump buys, think again. Xbox has committed to a nearly 50% increase in Day One releases for Game Pass Ultimate, promising over 75 new titles launching directly into the service each year.
To put that in perspective, let’s look at historical data. In 2021, we saw 52 Day One releases; 2022 hit a peak of 65; 2023 dropped to 44; 2024 had 39; and so far in 2025, we’re at 51. The 2022 outlier was likely due to a lighter first-party slate that year, padded with more third-party deals. But overall, jumping to 75+ annually represents a huge leap in volume—and that’s the core of what makes Xbox Game Pass so compelling: instant access to brand-new games without shelling out the launch price.
Quality is harder to quantify, and we couldn’t predict hits or misses before the price change either. But if you’ve been satisfied with the Day One lineup in recent years (which has arguably improved in quality annually), this boost should make you even happier. Is it enough to justify the extra $10? That’s subjective, but I do have a question for you: Why are you paying full price for Game Pass anyway?
Take Advantage of Key Sites!
I’ve never paid the sticker price for Game Pass since it launched, and you shouldn’t either. Early on, I used the Xbox Live Gold conversion trick to stack years cheaply. Now, sites like CDKeys and Eneba offer Game Pass Ultimate codes year-round at 20-35% off. Post-increase, they’re landing at around $20 for a month. If these third-party sites feel too shady, check official retailers like Newegg, which frequently run deep discounts that sometimes surpass the key sites—perfect for stacking subscriptions.
If that’s not enough, Gamestop, in a surprising move, has declared that they’ll keep Game Pass Ultimate keys available at the old $19.99 price point (for the time being). So there are plenty of ways to maintain your sub at or near the previous cost. Smart shopping turns that $29.99 into something far more palatable.
Final Thoughts
I get it if this piece doesn’t convince you the value holds up, or if you’re canceling out of protest against this egregious corporate overreach. Microsoft has a habit of stepping on self-made rakes, and this price surge is no exception. Personally, I’ve only seen upsides—more Day One games, bundled perks like Fortnite Crew, and expanded features across tiers—but I can also admit I’m in a unique spot.
For those who love Xbox Game Pass but are wavering, I hope this highlights the overlooked benefits and ways to mitigate the cost. It might just keep your passion for the service alive amid the noise. At its core, Game Pass still delivers on its promises like nothing else, and with these enhancements, it’s poised to stay the best deal out there for me, and maybe it could be for you, too.
