Microsoft to Lower Xbox Game Pass Price as New Call of Duty Titles Exit the Service

Microsoft has announced a price reduction for its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, effective today, while simultaneously removing day-one access to future Call of Duty titles from the platform. The changes come under the leadership of new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who stated the adjustment responds to user feedback about the service’s value proposition.

The top-tier Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription will now cost $22.99 per month in the United States, down from $29.99. The PC-specific version of Game Pass will be priced at $13.99 monthly, reduced from $16.49. In the United Kingdom, the Ultimate tier will decrease from £22.99 to £16.99 per month, with PC Game Pass falling from £13.49 to £10.99 monthly.

Microsoft confirmed that all currently available content in both subscription tiers will remain accessible after the price change. However, future Call of Duty games — including this year’s unannounced entry — will no longer be released on Game Pass on their launch day. Instead, these titles will become available on the service approximately one year after their initial retail release, typically during the following holiday season.

Existing Call of Duty titles already available on Game Pass will continue to be accessible to subscribers. Microsoft emphasized that other games from its owned studios will still launch on Game Pass on their release day, preserving day-one access for first-party titles.

The price adjustment follows a period of subscriber feedback regarding the service’s cost. Earlier this year, Microsoft increased the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate by nearly 50%, a move that prompted some long-time users to cancel their subscriptions. The company had attempted to offset the increase by adding perks such as Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft Classics, but user response indicated a need for recalibration.

Microsoft Gaming boss Asha Sharma communicated the changes directly to Xbox staff in a memo dated April 13, stating that the service had become “too expensive” and required a better balance of value. She emphasized that the company would continue to listen to player feedback and adapt accordingly.