Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Microsoft Cuts Xbox Game Pass Prices and Ends Day-One Call of Duty Access

The move signals a leadership reset that trades blockbuster launches for lower monthly bills.

Overview

  • Microsoft lowered Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $22.99 and PC Game Pass to $13.99 on Tuesday, with changes taking effect immediately in many regions.
  • Future Call of Duty releases will no longer hit Game Pass at launch, arriving about a year later during the following holiday season.
  • Existing Call of Duty entries stay in the library, and Essential and Premium tiers keep current prices and perks.
  • Asha Sharma, who took over Xbox in February, said Ultimate had become too expensive for many players and signaled more learning and changes ahead.
  • Analysts said day-one Call of Duty did not materially grow subscriptions, so the price cut paired with delayed Call of Duty access looks like a course correction.