Microsoft is planning a new tier for Game Pass

Since Microsoft’s successful acquisition of Activision Blizzard, many gamers have eagerly anticipated the inclusion of the “Call of Duty” series in the Game Pass service library. Recently, Microsoft executive Sarah Bond emphasized to users that all first-party Microsoft games will be available on Game Pass from their launch day, suggesting that subscribers can play new “Call of Duty” titles on their release day. Launched in 2017, Game Pass is Microsoft’s subscription-based gaming service, allowing subscribers unlimited access to its extensive game library.

Currently, Game Pass offers two tiers: “XGP” and “XGPU.” According to a report by tech4gamers, Microsoft is planning to introduce a new tier with advertising content to Game Pass. The report indicates that the number of subscribers has plateaued, and as the library continues to expand with new titles, the operational costs of the service have risen steadily. Thus, Microsoft is actively seeking new strategies to enhance the profitability of Game Pass.

The report discusses how Microsoft is looking at other subscription services for guidance and may introduce a lower-priced tier with advertising content to Game Pass, while the original Game Pass is set to see a price increase. Previous reports have indicated that the number of subscribers has not grown in nearly two years, raising concerns among some fans that a price hike at this time could significantly impact the product’s appeal.

In 2023, Game Pass added games worth a total of $9000, and tech4gamers believes that including the “Call of Duty” series in Game Pass would significantly increase operational costs, likely prompting Microsoft to raise subscription prices for the service.