Xbox Game Pass Price Hike: Existing Subscribers Spared - For Now
Berlin, Germany – Microsoft is clarifying teh scope of it’s recently announced Game Pass price increases, confirming that existing subscribers on automatically renewing plans will not be affected - initially. The news comes after an email circulated to customers stating the higher prices, taking effect in October 2025, apply only to new purchases of Game pass Essential, Premium, and Ultimate tiers.
Previously, the company had not publicly detailed exceptions for current subscribers.The price of Game Pass Ultimate is set to increase by 50 percent,from €17.99 to €26.99 per month. This tier includes access to new Xbox titles at launch, including Call of Duty, and also Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics. Game Pass Premium will cost €12.99 per month, with access to innovations like Forza Horizon 6 potentially delayed by up to 12 months.
However, the email’s wording – “At this time” – suggests further changes are possible. Microsoft is legally obligated to provide sufficient notice and obtain active consent from subscribers before implementing any changes to pricing or service scope, as demonstrated by a recent Berlin Chamber court ruling that prohibited Sony from making unilateral changes to PlayStation Plus subscriptions.
Gameswirtschaft has requested further clarification from Microsoft regarding the specific regulations applying to different customer groups. Customers who cancel or pause their subscriptions will be subject to the new, higher prices upon reactivation.
