- Microsoft rumored to be merging two Xbox Game Pass tiers
- PC Game Pass could be combined with Xbox Game Pass Premium
- Some users may end up paying more for the same features
There is a worrying rumor that Microsoft is thinking about combining the Xbox Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass subscription tiers, which could eventually lead to some users paying more each month.
According to The Verge and Windows Central, Microsoft could “potentially” merge the two plans, although nothing is official yet. It’s also apparently looking at ways to include more third-party services with these subscriptions, which would be beneficial.
Price increases are by no means certain, and the timeline for this is unclear (nothing major is said to happen in 2026), but as it stands today, PC Game Pass offers subscribers more for less, compared to the other plans.
This would certainly be an opportunity for Microsoft to simplify the various Xbox subscription options across consoles, PC, and the cloud, although existing subscribers are understandably concerned about the future, especially in light of recent price increases.
Prices and benefits
Microsoft considering merging Xbox Game Pass with PC Game Pass from r/pcgaming
Right now, the PC Game Pass plan will cost you $16.49 / £13.49 / AU$19.45 and gives you access to the entire Xbox library for PC, plus day one releases. The possible merger is with Xbox Game Pass Premium, which costs $14.99 / £10.99 / AU$17.95 per month.
Most importantly, however, Premium does not include the full library of PC titles or day one access. That means PC gamers might have to shell out for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which now costs $29.99 / £22.99 / AU$35.95 after a price increase last year.
This is speculative at this stage, and the merged plan will likely include all the benefits of the PC for the same price, but given the usual trend of subscription services, including those from Microsoft, existing users are not optimistic about what the future holds.
Reddit posts predict that Microsoft will kill PC Game Pass and push PC players to Ultimate to get day one access and other benefits. Several posts mention an “incoming price increase,” while one thanks Microsoft for “reminding me to cancel.”
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