Subscribers now have to weigh a lower monthly bill against waiting longer for certain major releases. Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s gaming subscription service, now called Game Pass below. The change trades a lower bill for later access to new Call of Duty games.
Day-one access means a game joins a subscription library on its release date. Microsoft said player feedback prompted its change, while players must decide how much launch timing matters to them. CEO Asha Sharma has also discussed how the service’s business is responding.
Key Takeaways
- Some Game Pass plans now cost less each month.
- New Call of Duty releases will arrive later on affected plans.
- Existing Call of Duty games in the library remain available.
- Plan benefits vary by device, library size, and cloud play.
- Check your next renewal date before changing your subscription.
The right choice depends on your gaming routine, not just the subscription price. Whether the change feels worthwhile depends on which games you play and when you want to play them.
How the Gamepass Price Drop Changes U.S. Pricing
From April 21, 2026, U.S. subscribers pay $22.99 a month for Game Pass Ultimate and $13.99 a month for PC Game Pass. The price cut followed player feedback, and it changed two tiers rather than the full lineup.
Ultimate now costs $7 less per month than it did before April 21, 2026. PC Game Pass now costs $2.50 less. The table shows each plan’s monthly price before and after that date.
| Plan | Monthly price before April 21, 2026 | Monthly price from April 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Essential | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Game Pass Premium | $14.99 | $14.99 |
| PC Game Pass | $16.49 | $13.99 |
| Game Pass Ultimate | $29.99 | $22.99 |
What changed on April 21, 2026
The PC Game Pass price drop brought the monthly charge down from $16.49 to $13.99. The Game Pass Ultimate price drop lowered its charge from $29.99 to $22.99.
Essential and Premium did not change. Their monthly charges remained $9.99 and $14.99, respectively, before and after April 21.
How the new prices compare with the 2025 hike
Game Pass Ultimate rose from $19.99 to $29.99 per month in October 2025, a 50% increase. The 2026 Game Pass price reduction reversed $7 of that $10 jump.
That leaves Ultimate $3 above its pre-October 2025 price. This comparison answers the Game Pass price history question: the tier had one steep increase, then a partial rollback.
The Game Pass price increase in 2025 also changed PC Game Pass from its earlier monthly charge, though the listed 2025 change here applies to Ultimate. The later PC Game Pass price change reduced its charge by $2.50.
The rollback softens the 2025 jump, but Ultimate still costs more than it did before that increase.
Why Microsoft reversed course
Microsoft said it reduced prices in response to player feedback. After the October increase, the company said Game Pass lost “millions of subscribers” over a few months, without giving an exact count.
After the cut, Asha Sharma said acquisitions grew and retention improved. She did not provide counts for either change, so the company’s public statements show direction, not scale.
The rollback lowers both bills but does not restore Ultimate to its pre-October 2025 price.
When Do New Call of Duty Games Join Game Pass?
New Call of Duty games are scheduled to reach Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass in the following holiday season, about a year after release. That wait applies to new releases, not older titles already in the catalog.
Game Pass no longer promises day-one access to new Call of Duty titles. The plans still offer day-one access to new games generally, with select-game exclusions that include Call of Duty.
The new release schedule
Beginning in 2026, new Call of Duty games are set to join the two plans during the next holiday season after launch. In practical terms, expect roughly a year between release and subscription access.
Modern Warfare 4 shows how that timing can work. It launches October 23, 2026, as a separate release, with Game Pass access planned for Holiday 2027, as reported in the Modern Warfare 4 release details.
If you want a new Call of Duty game at launch, you will need another way to play it. You can buy it separately or use another available access option.
What stays in the library
Call of Duty games already in the Game Pass library remain available after the policy change. The new timing does not remove older titles or delay access to them by itself.
Library access still depends on the title staying in the catalog and your plan remaining active. For other games that fit your device and play style, browse these Game Pass game picks.
A title’s listing can show whether it is in the library and which plans include it. Check the library listing for a specific Call of Duty title before assuming that the new-release timing applies to it.
Which Game Pass Tier Fits Your Play Habits?
Essential is the basic fit for console multiplayer, while PC Game Pass is the PC-focused option for players who do not need cloud gaming. Your best fit depends on your device and how much variety you want.
Choose a tier for the benefits you will use, not the biggest game count. The number of games and extra services rises across the plans, but some players need only a console library and online play.
For a closer look at family play on an Xbox Series S or another system, see this family console buying guide. A digital-only console also makes the included game library more important to your choice.
Essential and Premium for console access
Essential includes 50+ games across Xbox console, PC, and supported devices. It also includes online console multiplayer and five hours of cloud gaming each month.
Essential does not include new releases on day one. It suits console players who mainly want a game library and multiplayer access without paying for a broader bundle.
Premium expands the catalog to 200+ games across Xbox console, PC, and supported devices. It includes online console multiplayer and 10 hours of cloud gaming each month.
Premium adds new Xbox-published games within one year of launch, with Call of Duty titles excluded from that benefit. That timing can suit players who accept a wait for many new releases.
Ultimate or PC Game Pass for larger libraries
Ultimate offers 500+ games across Xbox console, PC, and supported devices. Its 15 monthly cloud-gaming hours make it a stronger fit if you play on several screens or want more time away from a console.
Ultimate also includes EA Play, Fortnite Crew, and Ubisoft+ Classics. Those add-ons matter most when you already play games or use benefits from those services.
PC Game Pass includes 300+ games on PC and EA Play. It does not include cloud gaming, so a PC-only player who does not need that feature may prefer it over a bundle built around console access.
Microsoft’s plan comparison page lists current access and cloud-play terms. For other console options, including Xbox Series S, compare the system as well as the subscription.
Rewards, add-ons, and game discounts
Ultimate subscribers can earn up to $100 a year in Microsoft Store Rewards, subject to program terms. Ultimate earns four times the Rewards points of Essential, Premium earns twice Essential’s earning potential, and Essential earns one times its base potential.
Those figures follow Rewards program terms, so they are not guaranteed cash savings. Consider whether you use Microsoft Store purchases before treating points as part of a plan’s value.
Essential, Premium, and Ultimate subscribers can get up to 50% off select games through Deals with Game Pass. Ultimate, Game Pass for Console, and PC Game Pass subscribers can get up to 20% off select games in the Game Pass library.
These deals reduce the price of selected games, not the subscription fee. Three limits shape the offer:
- Games within 30 days of launch are excluded.
- Some titles are not available for a discount.
- Discounts use Microsoft Store prices and cannot combine with other offers.
The select-game discount limits apply under the offer terms and exclusions. Retailers also sell individual games and bundles, as covered in this game deal retailer comparison.
Compare the included features you will actually use, not just the total number of games in a tier.
What Should Subscribers Do Before Their Next Renewal?
Before your next payment date, confirm that recurring billing is set the way you intend. Your account renews automatically unless you turn off recurring billing before that date.
Game Pass access requires both an active subscription and a title that remains in the library. Game and feature availability can change by time, region, plan, and platform.
Check billing and library access
Xbox subscriptions renew automatically by default until you switch off recurring billing. The Xbox subscription terms explain that plan features and game access can vary across platforms.
A 12-month membership code is different from monthly recurring billing. Codes are available only at certain retailers, while recurring billing charges your account on its payment schedule.
Before changing a subscription, check these four account details:
- Next payment date
- Recurring-billing status
- Whether the game you want remains in the library
- Date of the latest charge, if you may seek a refund
A game can leave the library even while your subscription stays active. The availability terms for Game Pass titles also note that access can differ by plan and region.
Know when a recurring-charge refund may apply
If you did not intend to renew, you may request a refund of the latest recurring charge by canceling within 30 days after payment. Microsoft limits this refund to one use per account for each subscription product.
Save the latest charge date if you may ask for a refund, because the request window runs from that payment.
The 30-day period applies to the latest recurring charge, not every past payment. A refund request also uses the one-time allowance for that product on your account.
If you compare another service or buy games separately, factor those costs into your next billing choice. Some retailers offer game bundles or timed sales alongside membership codes.
If you did not mean to renew, act within 30 days of the latest recurring payment and remember that the refund option is limited to one use per account for each subscription product.
Conclusion
The change is most useful to subscribers whose plan matches the games and features they actually use. A lower-cost tier may suit you if launch access matters less than keeping a steady gaming budget.
If you want a specific new release right away, the subscription may not meet that need. Your choice should reflect the games you play, the devices you own, and how often you use the service.
Check your next renewal date and the games currently in the library before choosing whether to keep or change your subscription. Check your renewal date and current library before your next billing cycle.
FAQ
Where can I find deals on Xbox Game Pass memberships?
Check Microsoft Store and retailer membership listings for current offers. Prices and promotions can change, so compare the length and terms of each code. Deals with Game Pass discounts select games, not the monthly subscription itself. A discount on a game will not lower your recurring charge or change your renewal date.
Why are people canceling Xbox Game Pass?
The October 2025 Game Pass Ultimate increase raised its monthly price from $19.99 to $29.99. Microsoft said the service lost “millions of subscribers” over a few months, but did not share an exact count. Some players may have canceled because of the higher bill or because the plan no longer fit their play habits. Microsoft later reduced the price.
Can I buy a 12 month Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, 12-month membership codes are available at certain retailers. A code gives you a set membership term, while recurring billing charges your payment method on a repeating schedule. Check the exact tier and duration before buying a code, since annual codes are not available everywhere. Turning off recurring billing does not erase an unused code you already own.
Is there a cheaper way to get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
A lower tier may cost less if its features meet your needs. PC Game Pass can suit PC-only play, but it does not include cloud gaming. Essential may fit console players who mainly want a library and online multiplayer. Compare the included games and services with your own play habits before changing tiers, since a cheaper plan may lack benefits you use.
Can you still get Xbox Live for $60 a year?
The 2026 lineup uses Game Pass tier names, and Essential includes online console multiplayer. An annual code may be sold at certain retailers, but check its exact plan and term before buying. Do not assume an older Xbox Live name or a past annual price applies to a current code. The product name and membership length should match what you want.
Is there a free Xbox Game Pass code?
There is no universal free code that works for every account. Check legitimate Microsoft promotions and authorized retailer offers for trial access or other deals. Avoid code generators that ask for your account password or personal details; they cannot promise a working membership. Never share your Microsoft sign-in credentials to claim a code or prize.
