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Microsoft Cuts Game Pass to $22.99, Adds Black Ops 6

6/9/2026

49 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Microsoft Cuts Price

Microsoft cut the Game Pass Ultimate price to $22.99 per month after the October 2025 hike to $29.99 caused the loss of millions of subscribers, said Matthew Ball, chief strategy officer.
The company added Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 as a day-one title while removing Call of Duty releases from the Game Pass lineup.
CEO Asha Sharma said the service returned to growth and improved retention after an eight-month decline.

Summary

Xbox Tests Plans

Xbox is testing a “Pick Your Own Plan” tier that lets users choose content bundles.
A 109% price jump in South Africa made Xbox Game Pass unaffordable for many users.
CEO Asha Sharma, a former AI executive, aims to make Xbox the leading gaming and entertainment brand by 2030.
Seamus Blackley warned Sharma’s hire could signal Xbox’s decline, though he later softened his stance.

Summary

Xbox Raises Price

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $22.99 per month, $3 more than PlayStation Plus Premium’s $19.99 price.
The Ultimate tier grants access to over 500 games, as listed on Microsoft’s website.
Xbox’s chief strategy officer said the price rise follows subscriber losses and reflects a broader industry trend of rising streaming costs, according to Kotaku.

History

Historical Context

In 2025 Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price rose to $30 per month, driving away millions of users, so Xbox head Asha Sharma lowered the fee in April 2026. The adjustment follows the 2019 merger of Xbox Live Gold into Game Pass and the 2023 launch of the lower-cost Game Pass Core, marking a decade-long shift toward subscription-based gaming.

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Microsoft Cuts Price

Microsoft cut the Game Pass Ultimate price to $22.99 per month after the October 2025 hike to $29.99 caused the loss of millions of subscribers, said Matthew Ball, chief strategy officer.
The company added Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 as a day-one title while removing Call of Duty releases from the Game Pass lineup.
CEO Asha Sharma said the service returned to growth and improved retention after an eight-month decline.

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