The company has reduced the monthly cost of its Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass plans, aiming to make the service more accessible to a wider audience.

The decision was shared by Xbox division CEO Asha Sharma, who acknowledged that the Game Pass Ultimate subscription had become too expensive for many players. In response, Microsoft has lowered the price to better align with user expectations and affordability. However, the price drop comes with a significant change-future Call of Duty releases will no longer be available to subscribers on launch day.

Under the revised structure, new Call of Duty titles will instead be added to the Game Pass Ultimate library during the holiday season following their initial release. This marks a shift from the earlier promise of day-one access, a feature that has been a major selling point for the service. Importantly, existing Call of Duty titles will remain accessible to current subscribers without any changes.

In terms of pricing, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs Rs 1,089 per month, down from its previous price of Rs 1,389. Meanwhile, the PC Game Pass subscription has been reduced to Rs 879 per month from Rs 939. Other tiers, including Game Pass Premium and Game Pass Essential, remain unchanged at Rs 699 and Rs 499 per month, respectively.

Despite the adjustment in content availability, Game Pass Ultimate continues to offer substantial value. Subscribers gain access to a library of over 400 games spanning console, PC, and cloud-supported devices. The service also includes cloud gaming, enabling users to stream titles without downloading them. Additional perks such as Fortnite Crew, EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, in-game rewards, and online multiplayer access on consoles further enhance its appeal.

The PC Game Pass plan, while more limited in scope, still provides access to a catalogue of more than 300 PC games. It also includes EA Play benefits, offering a selection of popular titles, early trials, and exclusive in-game content.

Beyond pricing and content updates, Microsoft has also hinted at renewed collaboration with Discord. According to Sharma, the partnership aims to improve how players connect, communicate, and share gaming experiences across devices. While details remain under wraps, some users may already begin to notice early signs of upcoming features.

This dual approach-lower pricing paired with adjusted content availability-signals Microsoft's effort to strike a balance between affordability and sustainability. For subscribers, the changes may require weighing immediate access to blockbuster titles against long-term cost savings and a rich gaming library.