Xbox Game Pass Officially Lowers Prices in 2026 (But There’s a Catch)

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Microsoft is reducing prices on some of its subscriptions, but there’s a significant downside for players who enjoy popular games from a major franchise.

The Xbox brand has been struggling due to rising prices. Both the Xbox Series X and S consoles have become more expensive in the last year, and Xbox Game Pass, which was once known for being an amazing value, has also gotten more expensive. This is particularly noticeable now that Microsoft is releasing games previously exclusive to Xbox on other platforms, lessening the appeal of a Game Pass subscription.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate & PC Game Pass Prices Are Going Down

Microsoft announced on its website that Game Pass prices will be reduced. This news comes after speculation that Asha Sharma, the new CEO of Xbox, was planning to lower costs.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sharma noted that the price of Game Pass Ultimate was becoming unaffordable for many gamers. Microsoft has responded by lowering the price of Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 to $22.99 per month, starting April 21, 2026. The PC Game Pass will also become cheaper, dropping from $16.49 to $13.99 a month.

Xbox Game Pass Core’s price isn’t changing right now. A recent change sparked a lot of anger from players, with many choosing to cancel their subscriptions. While this is a positive step, it’s uncertain whether it will be enough to regain the trust of those who are unhappy, particularly because of a significant drawback that comes with the change.

Call of Duty Games Will No Longer Be Day-One On Game Pass

The main thing to understand about the recent Xbox Game Pass price change is how it affects Call of Duty. When Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard, many players hoped that new Call of Duty games would be available on Game Pass as soon as they were released, and this change impacts that expectation.

New games won’t be added to the service immediately. Instead, future Call of Duty titles will become available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass about a year after they launch, typically during the holiday season.

The potential loss of Call of Duty is complicated. While many fans enjoy the game, others wouldn’t mind seeing it go, especially if it meant a lower price. For dedicated Call of Duty players, having new releases added to Game Pass a year after launch feels like not having access to them at all, as they won’t want to wait that long to play the newest installment.

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2026-04-22 00:17