🤔 Microsoft is considering an “á la carte” overhaul for Xbox Game Pass to let users customize their subscriptions
💰 Subscribers may soon be able to choose individual features like cloud gaming, multiplayer, or console-only games
🎮 The change aims to provide greater flexibility beyond the current four fixed subscription tiers
📈 Impact on subscription pricing is still unknown following recent adjustments to the Ultimate tier
Microsoft is reportedly considering an overhaul of Xbox Game Pass that lets you fine-tune your subscription so you’ll only pay for the things you want – like an á la carte menu.
A report from Fortune says that “according to people familiar with the strategy” will allow players to choose features, including add-ons for “console-only games, cloud gaming and multiplayer”.
“Xbox is planning a major overhaul of Game Pass that would have players choose features á la carte, including add-ons for console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer, with the system operating on a tiered structure, according to people familiar with the strategy.”
Microsoft has just announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be available to everyone, even if you don’t have a Game Pass subscription. Instead, a pay-as-you-play model is in place.
Currently, there are four tiers of Xbox Game Pass: Core, Console, PC, and Ultimate.
Core includes access to online multiplayer, a small library of 25 rotating games, and essentially replaces Xbox Live Gold. Console gives players access to hundreds of titles, but doesn’t include online multiplayer or cloud gaming. PC Game pass gives all the benefits of Ultimate, but doesn’t include console access. Ultimate combines all the benefits, including console, PC, cloud gaming, online multiplayer, EA Play, and cross-platform play.
Microsoft’s plan should make Game Pass even more flexible, as some may want online access only, or the full suite of features. How this affects pricing remains to be seen, but currently Ultimate costs $23 a month, a reduction from $29.99 after Microsoft added and then later removed Call of Duty.
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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.