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In a move that could reshape the gaming subscription landscape, Microsoft is reportedly considering significant changes to its Xbox Game Pass structure, with the standalone PC Game Pass potentially being absorbed into the higher-cost Premium tier. According to a recent report from The Verge, while the service survived recent corporate restructuring, its future as a distinct, budget-friendly option for PC gamers is now in doubt.
The proposed shift signals a broader strategy by Microsoft to unify its gaming platforms, moving away from device-specific subscriptions. With the company’s future gaming efforts heavily leaning on Windows and rumors of a PC/console hybrid device arriving as early as 2027, the logic of locking subscription benefits to a single type of hardware is fading.
The End of an Era for PC-Only Subs?
For years, PC Game Pass has been a beloved offering for Windows gamers, providing a vast library and, crucially, day-one access to all new Xbox Game Studios titles for a monthly fee of $16.49. The potential consolidation would see these benefits rolled into the Game Pass Premium tier, which currently costs significantly more but also includes over 200 titles.
However, there’s a catch. As detailed in a comprehensive report on Microsoft’s roadmap by The Verge, the Premium tier currently requires members to wait for new first-party games, unlike the day-one access granted by the PC and Ultimate tiers. If PC Game Pass is absorbed, current subscribers could face a tough choice: pay more for Premium and potentially lose instant access to big releases, or upgrade further to the top-tier Ultimate plan.
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| Xbox Game Pass price increases in October 2025 |
Day-One Access: The Ultimate Perk?
This leads to the central question for dedicated PC players: what happens to day-one releases? Industry observers, including The Verge’s Tom Warren, speculate that this coveted benefit may become the exclusive domain of the most expensive package, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Priced at $29.99 per month, Ultimate also bundles in cloud gaming and console benefits, features that a pure PC gamer might not need.
“It now makes less sense to lock tiers to specific devices,” Warren notes, acknowledging the platform-unification trend. “Even so, PC and handheld users could find themselves paying more to retain the same perks.”
Adding Value to Justify the Change?
To soften the blow, Microsoft is expected to inject more value into the restructured tiers. The company has a history of bundling third-party services, as seen with the inclusion of EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics. While The Verge’s report wasn’t specific on new partners, industry whispers suggest potential integrations with services like Netflix Games or Amazon Luna could be on the table, offering a more diversified gaming portfolio.
Fortunately for subscribers wary of constant cost increases, the report does not indicate an imminent across-the-board price hike for Game Pass. Microsoft’s gaming division is walking a tightrope; its service revenue saw a slight dip in the final quarter of 2025 amidst a disappointing financial report. While the company seeks to stabilize income as hardware sales decline, another price increase so soon after the October 2025 adjustment could risk alienating its core audience.
Any major revisions are unlikely to roll out before 2026, giving players time to adjust to the possibility of a new subscription landscape. For now, PC Game Pass remains one of gaming's best values. But its future, like the platforms it serves, is evolving into something new.