Xbox Game Pass changes forever: this is how the new Essential, Premium and Ultimate plans work

Microsoft renews Game Pass with more games, extra benefits and new prices.

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Xbox has officially announced the biggest overhaul of Xbox Game Pass since its launch in 2017. From now on, the plans will be called Essential, Premium, and Ultimate, with clear differences in catalog, benefits, and price. The idea is to give players more flexibility and let each one choose the option that best fits their gaming style.

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Current subscribers will also be automatically switched: those on Core will move to Essential, Standard subscribers will become Premium, and Ultimate subscribers will stay on their current plan.

What does each Xbox Game Pass plan include?

Here’s a clear summary of the new features:

Essential – $8.99/month

• Replaces the old Core plan.

• Catalog of 50+ selected games on console and PC.

• Online multiplayer included.

• Unlimited cloud gaming on compatible devices.

• Rewards with Xbox: up to 25,000 points per year (~$25).

• Benefits in games like League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, or Overwatch 2.

Premium – $12.99/month

• Replaces the old Standard plan.

• Expanded catalog with 200+ games on console, PC, and cloud.

• Xbox Game Studios games included within the first year of release (except Call of Duty).

• Access to titles like Diablo IV, Hogwarts Legacy, Minecraft, or Forza Horizon 5.

• Rewards with Xbox: up to 50,000 points per year (~$50).

• Extra benefits in online games like League of Legends or Rainbow Six Siege.

Ultimate – $26.99/month

• The most complete plan, now with more advantages than ever.

• Over 400 games on console, PC, and cloud.

• Access to over 75 Day One games per year (including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, High on Life 2, The Outer Worlds 2, or Ninja Gaiden 4).

• EA Play included.

• Starting November 18th: Fortnite Crew (Battle Pass, 1,000 V-Bucks/month, and more).

• Access to Ubisoft+ Classics, with titles like Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, or Ghost Recon Breakpoint.

• Better quality in Xbox Cloud Gaming, with less waiting and no “Beta” warning.

• Rewards with Xbox: up to 100,000 points per year (~$100) and up to 30% discount on games from the library.

What does this mean for current subscribers?

• If you had Game Pass Core, you’ll automatically switch to Essential.

• If you were on Game Pass Standard, your plan will become Premium.

• Game Pass Ultimate users will keep their subscription and receive all the improvements without needing to do anything.

With this change, Xbox aims to give more value to players and reinforce Game Pass as a reference service. Now the difference between plans is clearer: Essential for starting out, Premium for those seeking variety, and Ultimate for those who want everything.