Xbox Game Pass Subscribers May Continue to Access New Game Launches for Under $30 Per Month
Following the company's recent declaration of a major restructuring of its gaming subscription tiers, Xbox has clarified what the updates mean for gamers who currently hold an Xbox Game Pass for Console in effect. According to Xbox, anyone who presently holds a grandfathered Console subscription with automatic billing turned on will remain unaffected by the new pricing adjustments.
Latest Updates to Xbox Game Pass Subscription Plans
Just a few days ago, Xbox revealed that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will now cost $29.99 per month, a controversial move among members. The update accompanies rebranded tiers—Essential and Premium—which alter the available features and do not include day-one game releases. This shift followed a prior change in 2024, which phased out the Console plan in exchange for Core and Standard tiers. At that time, Xbox allowed existing members on the Console plan to retain their membership at the unchanged monthly rate of $10.99 with full benefits, including access to games on launch day.
Subscribers who are presently subscribed to Xbox Game Pass for Console and have recurring billing activated can continue their membership,” a representative explained. “If players disable automatic payment renewal, or their membership expires, they will have to choose between the Essential, Premium, Ultimate, or PC Game Pass plans when resubscribing.”
Benefits and Pricing Remain Unchanged
The perks and pricing of the Console plan will remain the same, as confirmed by Xbox: “New releases are available with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions, as well as for subscribers who continue to hold an active Console subscription. Players who are presently enrolled in Xbox Game Pass for Console and have recurring billing turned on can continue their subscription at $10.99/month.”
When asked, a company representative did not confirm how long grandfathered Console plans will stay available for existing members.
How to Verify If You Have a Console Plan
- Go to the official Game Pass page and sign in with your Xbox account.
- Select your username in the upper-right section of the page once signed in.
- Choose “My Microsoft Account.”
- If you find “Console subscription” listed as an active subscription, you can still access new releases for $10.99 monthly as long as recurring payments are turned on.
Make sure to verify if you still have this golden ticket before canceling your subscription, as you won’t be able to rejoin the plan once you opt out.
