Microsoft has announced a pricing update for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, lowering the monthly cost from $29.99 to $22.99 starting today. PC Game Pass is also seeing a reduction, dropping from $16.49 to $13.99 per month. Pricing may still vary by region.
The update also outlines a shift in how future entries in the Call of Duty series will be handled on the service. While Microsoft previously signaled that major Activision Blizzard titles could arrive day one following its acquisition, that will no longer be the case for new Call of Duty releases. Instead, upcoming entries are scheduled to join Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass roughly a year after launch, landing during the following holiday season. Existing Call of Duty titles already added to the catalog will remain available.
This change comes alongside the price reduction, which marks a notable reversal after several Game Pass increases over the past few years. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate previously climbed to $29.99, reflecting Microsoft’s broader push to position the service as a premium, all-in-one subscription. Dropping the price to $22.99 brings it closer to earlier pricing tiers, though still above its original launch cost, and suggests a recalibration as the company balances subscriber growth with content costs.
Game Pass Ultimate continues to bundle access across Xbox console and PC, including online multiplayer, a rotating library of titles, and day-one releases for Microsoft’s first-party games. However, the delayed rollout for Call of Duty highlights a more selective approach to high-profile third-party releases, especially for annual franchises with established sales cycles.
Microsoft says the update reflects ongoing feedback across its global player base, and the company plans to continue adjusting the service over time.
What do you think about the price drop and the shift in Call of Duty release timing on Game Pass? Let us know, and stay tuned to Noisy Pixel for more updates.
