Hey Xbox gamers, heads up! Microsoft is shaking things up with Game Pass. Here’s the lowdown:

• Price bump coming: Get ready to shell out a few extra bucks. Starting in September, your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription will jump to $19.99 a month (currently $16.99/mo.), and PC Game Pass goes from $9.99 to $11.99.
• New “Standard” tier for budget gamers: Looking to save some cash? Microsoft’s got a new “Xbox Game Pass Standard” tier coming in at $14.99 a month. The catch? You won’t get early access to hot new games like the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
• Xbox Game Pass for console going bye-bye (for new users): This subscription option is disappearing for new folks starting today, July 10th. Existing users are safe, though!
• Standard tier gets online multiplayer: Here’s a perk for the Standard plan: you’ll be able to play online multiplayer games with your console buddies, something the old Xbox Game Pass for Console didn’t offer.

Why the change?

Microsoft hasn’t spilled the beans for the exact reason, but the timing is kinda fishy. The price hikes line up with adding big games like Call of Duty to Game Pass later this year. Maybe they’re just trying to cover the costs?

What does this mean for you?

If you’re already rocking Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, your price will automatically go up in September. If you’re okay with the current library, it might sting a bit.

The new Standard tier might be tempting for budget-minded gamers. Just remember you won’t get to play the latest Microsoft releases right away.

It all boils down to how you game and how much you wanna spend. Die-hard fans who gotta play the newest stuff will probably stick with the pricier Ultimate tier. But if you’re a more casual gamer who doesn’t mind waiting, the Standard option could save you some cash.

We don’t know exactly when the Standard tier will launch, but Microsoft says it “will become available in the coming months.” We’ll keep our ears to the ground and let you know as soon as we hear more!