Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $22.99 per month as of April 21, 2026, dropping sharply from the $29.99 price set last October 2025. PC Game Pass also falls to $13.99 from $16.49. Microsoft confirmed these changes in an official Xbox Wire post, marking a complete reversal after the previous 50% price hike failed to keep subscribers happy.
**What You Need to Know**
- Ultimate tier: $22.99/month (down from $29.99)
- PC Game Pass: $13.99/month (down from $16.49)
- Philippines pricing: PHP 225/month (down from PHP 320)
- Trade-off: New Call of Duty games won’t launch day-one on the service
- Limited trial: PHP 59 for 14 days (Philippines region only)
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Slashes Prices After Fan Outcry
Microsoft raised eyebrows in October 2025 when Xbox Game Pass Ultimate jumped to $29.99 from $19.99. That 50% increase aimed to create a premium service similar to Netflix, bundling big-budget titles like Call of Duty directly into the subscription. The idea sounded simple: charge more, offer more.
But gamers pushed back hard. The value simply wasn’t there for many players, and the userbase began to shrink. Xbox leadership under Ashley Sharma acknowledged the mistake publicly. In a clear promise to “recommit to our core Xbox fans and players,” Microsoft rolled back the pricing across all global regions.
Why Microsoft Hiked Costs Last Year
The original price jump centered on licensing fees. Adding every triple-A title to Xbox Game Pass requires hefty payments to publishers. Microsoft hoped that by positioning the service as a premium product, subscribers would accept the higher cost in exchange for immediate access to blockbusters without extra purchases.
The library did grow. More titles joined each month, and the catalog expanded rapidly. However, sustaining that volume of new releases proved expensive. The company needed extra revenue to cover the loss of individual game sales that publishers faced when their titles hit the subscription service on day one.
The Subscriber Exodus
The losses weren’t just financial. When Xbox Game Pass prices spiked, long-time members canceled their subscriptions in droves. Social media filled with complaints about the $10 monthly increase. Many players switched to buying games outright on Steam or competing platforms like PlayStation Plus, which maintained stable pricing during the same period.
New Xbox Game Pass Pricing Explained
The new structure brings welcome relief. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now sits at $22.99 monthly, while the PC-specific tier costs $13.99. These rates apply globally, with exact conversions varying by local currency.
For budget-conscious players, this represents a significant saving. The Ultimate tier includes cloud gaming, EA Play access, and online multiplayer bundled together. At $22.99, it undercuts the cost of buying two full-price games annually while offering hundreds to play instantly.
PC Game Pass and Regional Adjustments
PC gamers specifically benefit from the new $13.99 rate. Before the cut, PC Game Pass sat at $16.49, making it one of the pricier PC subscription services compared to alternatives like EA Play Pro or Ubisoft+.
Microsoft adjusted prices across every region simultaneously. This global approach ensures fairness, though the exact savings vary by local economy and currency strength.
Philippines Sees Major Relief
In the Philippines, the price drop feels even more dramatic. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate fell from PHP 320 to PHP 225 monthly. That’s nearly 30% off the recent high rate, though still above the pre-October 2025 price of PHP 175.
“We tested the service during the Day of Valor holiday, and the savings made it an easy decision to resubscribe,” local players told us. Microsoft also offers a limited-time trial of PHP 59 for 14 days for new users in the region, making this the perfect moment to start PC gaming or return to the ecosystem.
The Call of Duty Catch
The lower prices come with one major change. New Call of Duty releases will no longer appear on Xbox Game Pass on their launch day. Instead, these titles will join the service one year after release.
This compromise makes sense from a business standpoint. Day-one availability of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and future entries drove licensing costs through the roof. By delaying these blockbusters by twelve months, Microsoft can offer lower subscription fees while still eventually adding the games to the catalog.
Best Games to Download Immediately
With the new lower prices, now is the ideal time to explore the library. Based on our experience with the service, these titles offer the best value:
**Halo Series**
Step into the armor of Master Chief across six major releases. The collection includes Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo Infinite. We tested the full Master Chief Collection, and the multiplayer remains active and sharp.
**Battlefield Franchise**
Experience large-scale warfare across five entries: Battlefield 1, Battlefield V, Battlefield Hardline Ultimate Edition, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield 2042. Each offers distinct maps and weapons spanning World War I through near-future combat.
**Story-Driven Adventures**
Don’t miss Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, where you play as a Na’vi fighting the RDA. Kingdom Come: Deliverance places you in 15th Century Bohemia during a brutal civil war. For something shorter, Valiant Hearts: The Great War delivers a moving tale about unsung heroes of World War I.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Xbox Game Pass cost now?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $22.99 monthly and PC Game Pass costs $13.99 monthly as of April 2026. These prices dropped from $29.99 and $16.49 respectively.
Why did Xbox Game Pass get cheaper?
Microsoft reduced prices after subscriber numbers fell following the October 2025 price increase. Xbox leadership acknowledged the change was poorly received and acted to “recommit” to their player base.
Is Call of Duty still on Xbox Game Pass?
Existing Call of Duty games remain available, but new releases will not launch day-one on the service. They will be added one year after their initial release date.
What is the cheapest way to try Xbox Game Pass?
In the Philippines, new users can access a 14-day trial for PHP 59. In other regions, Microsoft occasionally offers first-month discounts, though these vary by country and promotional period.
How does Xbox Game Pass compare to PlayStation Plus?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at $22.99 now costs less than PlayStation Plus Premium, which typically runs higher in most markets. Both services offer cloud streaming, though Game Pass includes EA Play at no extra cost while PlayStation Plus focuses more on classic catalog titles.
Grab your controller and start downloading. With Xbox Game Pass prices back at reasonable levels and hundreds of games waiting, there’s never been a better time to jump back into gaming.
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