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Xbox Game Pass price up, Call of Duty delayed 2027

4/24/2026

44 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Microsoft Raises Prices

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $22.99 and PC Game Pass $13.99 in the United States.
Microsoft will delay new Call of Duty releases on Game Pass until the 2027 holiday season.
Existing Call of Duty games on Game Pass will remain available.
CEO Asha Sharma said the cuts aim to make the service more affordable, attract new users, and keep all other Game Pass features unchanged.

Summary

Microsoft Cuts Price

Analyst Christopher Dring warned Microsoft’s Game Pass price cut could hurt short-term subscribers who joined for new Call of Duty launches.
Streamer Chantelle Parker said the lower price makes Game Pass affordable for casual gamers, planning to buy future Call of Duty titles separately.
Microsoft disclosed work on a new console code-named Project Helix, signalling a hardware focus under Sharma.

History

Historical Context

Sony launched PlayStation Plus in 2013, pioneering subscription models in gaming. This shift influenced Microsoft, which introduced Xbox Game Pass in 2017, now priced at $22.99. As Microsoft delays new Call of Duty releases until 2027, both companies adapt to changing consumer preferences, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics in the gaming industry as they prioritize affordability and user engagement.

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Microsoft Raises Prices

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $22.99 and PC Game Pass $13.99 in the United States.
Microsoft will delay new Call of Duty releases on Game Pass until the 2027 holiday season.
Existing Call of Duty games on Game Pass will remain available.
CEO Asha Sharma said the cuts aim to make the service more affordable, attract new users, and keep all other Game Pass features unchanged.

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