Xbox Game Pass May Add Custom Plans in Major Revamp
WHO:
Kotaku - Microsoft is reportedly planning changes to Xbox Game Pass; CEO Asha Sharma is described as wanting to reshape the service.
IGN - Fortune reported that Microsoft is planning the overhaul, citing people familiar with the strategy.
IGN - Fortune said former Xbox employees described internal tensions between subscription-revenue and store-revenue metrics.
WHAT:
Kotaku - Kotaku reported that Microsoft’s next batch of Xbox blockbusters begins with *Fable*.
The Verge - Microsoft’s pay-as-you-go Xbox Cloud Gaming bundles start at $3.99 for 10 hours; introductory bundles also include 25 hours for $7.99 and 50 hours for $11.99.
The Verge - Cloud-hour bundles include ad-free gaming, shorter wait times, and higher-quality streaming; purchased hours do not expire monthly and remain available until used.
The Verge - Free, ad-supported cloud gaming tests let Xbox Insiders stream games they already own, with sessions capped at one hour.
Kotaku - Xbox Game Pass is reportedly being considered for a major overhaul, changing from a one-price subscription into a tiered service with optional add-ons.
IGN - Fortune described planned à la carte options including console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer.
Kotaku - Microsoft has tested an ad-supported Game Pass tier, which would lower the entry cost for potential subscribers.
Kotaku - Game Pass no longer includes day-one Call of Duty, in exchange for a price cut.
Kotaku - Microsoft has offered Premium Edition Upgrades for $30, giving players early access to games that become available through Game Pass at no extra charge days later.
IGN - Fortune said Game Pass helped Xbox build a subscription business but also cannibalized sales of higher-priced first-party games, particularly during launch periods.
Kotaku - Leaked internal charts reportedly showed Microsoft once targeting more than 100 million subscribers; growth later plateaued at around 35 million.
IGN - Fortune’s profile also discussed a next-generation Xbox handheld and Project Helix console, suggesting the console may be expensive unless Microsoft subsidizes its cost.
IGN - Sharma has cut the price of Game Pass Ultimate, signed Hideo Kojima’s Physint project, started two Xbox verticals, and transferred Halo development to Activision. She has also responded to customer-support tickets and reviewed a build of The Elder Scrolls 6.
WHEN:
Kotaku - *Fable* is expected in February 2027.
The Verge - Xbox Insiders without Game Pass can purchase cloud playtime ahead of the broader rollout next month.
The Verge - Microsoft said last month that Xbox Cloud Gaming would become available without a Game Pass subscription in November.
WHY:
Kotaku - The à la carte model could help control costs, increase subscriber numbers, and charge more for services used heavily while removing options some subscribers do not use.
HOW:
IGN - Under the reported plan, subscribers would choose desired features as add-ons within a tiered structure.
(UPDATED October 21, 2026 21:21 UTC)
Microsoft is reportedly considering a major Xbox Game Pass overhaul, moving from one subscription price to tiers with optional add-ons. The plan could let customers pay separately for console games, cloud gaming, or multiplayer, giving them more control over costs and the features they use. The service has helped Xbox build a subscription business, but reportedly also reduced sales of some full-price games, especially at launch. Microsoft has already cut Game Pass Ultimate’s price and removed day-one Call of Duty access. Separately, Xbox Cloud Gaming is introducing pay-as-you-go bundles, starting at $3.99 for 10 hours, with purchased hours available until used. Xbox Insiders are also testing ad-supported streaming of games they own, with sessions capped at one hour. The next wave of Xbox blockbusters begins with Fable, expected in February 2027.
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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 20:23 UTC)
Microsoft is reportedly considering a major overhaul of Xbox Game Pass, shifting from one subscription price to tiers with optional add-ons. The plan could let players pay separately for console games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer, potentially lowering the entry cost while charging more for features people use. Microsoft is also launching pay-as-you-go Xbox Cloud Gaming bundles, starting at $3.99 for 10 hours; other introductory options offer 25 hours for $7.99 or 50 hours for $11.99. The hours include ad-free play, shorter waits, and higher-quality streaming, and they remain available until used. Xbox Insiders can also test free, ad-supported streaming for games they own, with sessions capped at one hour. Insiders without Game Pass can buy cloud playtime ahead of a broader rollout next month. The reported overhaul comes as Game Pass growth has plateaued, while the service has also affected sales of full-price games.
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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 17:26 UTC)
Microsoft is reportedly planning a major overhaul of Xbox Game Pass, with CEO Asha Sharma looking to reshape the subscription service. The reported plan would replace a single-price model with tiers and optional add-ons, letting customers choose features such as console games, cloud gaming and multiplayer. Microsoft has also tested an ad-supported tier that could lower the cost of entry. The changes come as Game Pass growth has reportedly plateaued at around 35 million subscribers, well short of an earlier internal target of more than 100 million. The service helped build subscription revenue, but reportedly also reduced sales of some full-price Xbox games, especially at launch. Game Pass no longer includes day-one Call of Duty, following a price cut, while some players can pay $30 for early access to upcoming titles. Sharma has also cut the Ultimate plan’s price and made other changes across Xbox.