Xbox Game Pass Members May Continue to Get Day-One Releases for Under $30 Monthly
Following the company's latest declaration of an extensive restructuring of its Game Pass plans, Xbox has explained what the updates signify for gamers who currently hold an legacy Console subscription active. According to Xbox, subscribers who currently holds a legacy Console subscription with recurring payments enabled will not be affected by the updated cost changes.
Recent Changes to Game Pass Subscription Plans
Earlier this week, Xbox revealed that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will now cost $29.99 monthly, a controversial move among subscribers. This change comes with two renamed tiers—Essential and Premium—which modify the available features and exclude new titles at launch. This shift came after a prior change in 2024, which eliminated Xbox Game Pass for Console in exchange for Core and Standard levels. Back then, Xbox allowed current members on the Console plan to retain their subscription at the same price of $11 per month with all perks, including the ability to play games on launch day.
Subscribers who are currently enrolled in the Console plan and have recurring billing activated can continue their membership,” a representative stated. “If users turn off automatic payment renewal, or their subscription lapses, they will have to select between the Essential, Premium, Ultimate, or PC Game Pass plans when resubscribing.”
Perks and Pricing Stay the Same
The perks and pricing of the Console plan will remain the same, according to Xbox: “Day one games are accessible with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions, as well as for subscribers who continue to hold an current Console subscription. Players who are presently subscribed to the Console plan and have recurring billing turned on can continue their subscription at $10.99 per month.”
When asked, a company representative did not confirm for what duration legacy Console subscriptions will remain active for current subscribers.
Steps to Verify If You Have a Console Plan
- Visit the official Game Pass page and log in with your Microsoft account.
- Click your profile name in the top right corner of the page once signed in.
- Click on “My Microsoft Account.”
- If you see “Xbox Game Pass for Console” shown as an active subscription, you will continue to get day-one games for $11 a month as long as automatic billing are enabled.
Make sure to check if you hold this exclusive benefit before canceling your subscription, as you won’t be able to get back into it once you opt out.
