Microsoft Revamps Game Pass Again and Cloud Gaming is Everywhere

Microsoft is changing its Game Pass subscriptions yet again. There are some new names and, yes, some price hikes too. Oh, and Xbox Cloud Gaming is now out of beta and is available via all three Game Pass tiers.

“We know not everyone wants the same thing in their Xbox experience, so we’re evolving Game Pass to offer more flexibility, choice, and value to all players, whether you love day one releases, discovering hidden gems, or playing across multiple devices and screens and across Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud,” the Xbox team writes in the announcement post. “Starting today, we’re introducing three upgraded Game Pass plans based on how players play: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate.”

Each of these tiers offers expanded game libraries, including PC titles, unlimited cloud gaming, in-game benefits (including Riot Games titles), and a revamped Rewards with Xbox experience.

Game Pass Essential replaces Game Pass Core. It offers a game library with 50+ titles across PC, console, and cloud, unlimited cloud gaming, in-game benefits including Riot games, online console multiplayer, and the ability to earn up to $25 in Rewards for use in the Xbox Store. Game Pass Essential is $9.99 per month.

Game Pass Premium replaces Game Pass Standard. It offers a game library with 200+ titles across PC, console, and cloud, unlimited cloud gaming with shorter wait times, new Xbox published games within a year of launch, in-game benefits including Riot games, online console multiplayer, and the ability to earn up to $50 in Rewards for use in the Xbox Store. Game Pass Essential is $14.99 per month.

Game Pass Ultimate isn’t being rebranded, but it’s getting a price hike to $29.99 per month. For this lofty sum, you get access to 75+ Day One games each year including all Xbox published games, Ubisoft+ Classics (a $15.99 per month value) and EA Play (with Fortnite Crew, a $11.99 per month value, coming in November), unlimited cloud gaming at the best quality (1440p) and with the shortest wait times, in-game benefits including Riot games, online console multiplayer, and the ability to earn up to $100 in Rewards for use in the Xbox Store.

Tied to the above, Microsoft also noted that Xbox Cloud Gaming is now out of beta. You may recall that this service was announced in 2018 and launched in preview six years ago as Project xCloud and has been tied exclusively to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate until now.

You can learn more on the Xbox Game Pass website. There’s also a handy Game Pass comparison page if you’re not sure which plan makes sense for you.