Xbox console users are being greeted with a Game Pass Ultimate ad on boot less than a day after Microsoft raised the subscription tier’s price by 50 percent.
A full-screen Game Pass Ultimate ad (via tomwarren on Twitter/X) is now greeting Xbox users as part of Microsoft’s latest efforts to promote the service less than a day after announcing a 50 percent price hike for the subscription tier. The ad, which appears at boot, highlights the recent expansion of the service, touting Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew, and more than 75 day-one releases coming in the next 12 months. The timing and intrusive nature of the ad, however, are rather questionable.
Microsoft is pitching the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price hike as a necessary step to fund the service’s biggest expansion yet, but for players who are greeted with the above ad at boot, the change will likely feel needlessly aggressive.
For the uninitiated, here’s a quick look at each of the three updated Xbox Game Pass tiers:
- Game Pass Ultimate ($29.99/month) is the flagship plan for those who want everything. It offers 75+ day-one releases annually, a library of 400+ games across console, PC, and cloud, and major perks like EA Play, Fortnite Crew, and Ubisoft+ Classics. Cloud streaming has been upgraded to 1440p with shorter wait times, and users can earn up to $100 a year in Rewards points plus discounts of up to 20% on select titles.
- Game Pass Premium ($14.99/month) is a middle-ground option, with around 200 games, unlimited cloud gaming, and access to popular hits like Minecraft, Diablo IV, and Forza Horizon 5. While it does not guarantee day-one releases for Xbox-published games like Call of Duty, it still provides perks and up to $50/year in rewards.
- Game Pass Essential ($9.99/month) is the entry-level tier, featuring a curated catalog of 50+ titles such as Hades and Stardew Valley. It also includes online multiplayer and in-game perks for live-service titles, though with limited rewards capped at $25/year.
For further details on the changes to Xbox Game Pass pricing and tiers, continue reading here.
