Xbox cuts prices for Game Pass but ends day-one Call of Duty access

Xbox has announced a reduction in Game Pass subscription fees, marking a shift after a significant 50% price increase six months prior. However, the Microsoft-owned company clarified that new Call of Duty titles would be included in the more advanced Game Pass Ultimate tier, with PC Game Pass subscribers needing to wait approximately a year for access to the latest releases.

Fans reacted with a mix of approval and concern. Some applauded the move as a response to player feedback, while others questioned the company’s commitment to its service, fearing potential future cuts to other first-party offerings. This decision contrasts with the trend of subscription services, including Game Pass, which have often faced criticism for frequent price hikes.

“The big losers from this cut are those who subscribe to Game Pass for a month or two to play the latest Call of Duty, and then leave,” said Christopher Dring, editor of The Game Business.

A leaked internal memo from new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, shared with The Verge, acknowledged that the service had “become too expensive for players.” In the UK, the price of Game Pass Ultimate has dropped from £22.99 to £16.99 monthly, while PC Game Pass is now £10.99, with regional variations applying elsewhere.

Sharma, who assumed her role in February, emphasized her goal to “understand what makes this work and protect it.” Her strategy includes a new console project, code-named Project Helix, which she described as a “commitment to the return of Xbox.” Meanwhile, the price cut contrasts with recent global trends, such as Netflix’s price increases in the US, Canada, Argentina, and Portugal, which were followed by a UK raise in February.

Existing Call of Duty titles remain accessible to Game Pass subscribers, though some fans expressed mixed feelings. Chantelle Parker, a Call of Duty enthusiast known online as Chantelle Plays, viewed the change positively, calling it a “big win” for casual gamers. She noted that while the price adjustment was unexpected, it made the service “more accessible” to those struggling with monthly costs.

Chantelle highlighted the contrast between the price drop and other rising expenses, stating, “It’s a lot more accessible to a lot more people. So that is good in my eyes… people just couldn’t afford to be paying that much per month for this library of games.”

Additional reporting by Georgia Levy-Collins. Outside the UK? Sign up here.