Microsoft has raised the price of Game Pass Ultimate to $30 per month, sparking debate among fans. This 50% hike from $20 makes it nearly double what it was just 15 months ago — and no annual or quarterly plans are available to ease the financial strain. While the company claims this update brings more games and features, many argue it feels like a steep price tag for what’s now offered. But here's where it gets controversial: the new price could actually benefit some players if they’re willing to explore beyond Fortnite. For instance, Ultimate members now get Fortnite Crew, which includes a battle pass, 1,000 V-Bucks monthly, and other perks — usually costing $12 alone. Yet, the real question is: is this price hike worth the added value for most users?
The controversy deepens when you consider the broader ecosystem. Microsoft has also increased the cost of its Xbox Series X/S consoles in the U.S., with pre-orders for the ROG Xbox Ally handheld starting at $1,000. Meanwhile, PC Game Pass jumps from $12 to $16.50, making the Xbox experience more expensive than ever. However, Microsoft is trying to balance this by expanding Game Pass Ultimate with over 45 new titles, including Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry games, plus Ubisoft+ — a $16/month subscription that adds even more content.
Not everyone is left out. Standard subscribers are moving to Premium ($15/month), and Core members are upgrading to Essential ($10/month). Both tiers now include PC games, with Premium offering over 200 titles and Essential featuring 50+ games. But the real deal? Ultimate members can stream games from their library via cloud gaming, earn up to $100 in rewards, and access over 400 games, including EA Play titles.
And this is the part most people miss: Xbox Cloud Gaming is now officially out of beta, offering high-quality streaming with low wait times. Still, the bigger issue is whether these upgrades justify the price jump. After all, PlayStation Plus Premium is now only $160 annually — less than half of Game Pass Ultimate’s $360. Should Microsoft push harder to make gaming more affordable, or is this a necessary step to keep up with competition? The answer may lie in what players choose to do next.
