Xbox cuts Game Pass prices, ends day-one Call of Duty access

Xbox has announced a reduction in the prices of its popular subscription service Game Pass, just six months after raising fees by more than 50%, in a move aimed at regaining player trust.

The company, owned by Microsoft, said however that new titles from the blockbuster Call of Duty series will not be immediately available across all tiers. Instead, these releases will only appear on the higher-end Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions roughly a year after launch.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions from the gaming community. While some users praised Xbox for responding to feedback on pricing, others expressed concern about potential future changes to first-party game availability, raising questions about long-term reliability.

Industry analyst Christopher Dring said the price cut reflects the challenges Xbox faces in rebuilding confidence among its user base, particularly after recent layoffs and cancelled projects across the gaming industry.

In recent years, Xbox has also faced backlash over decisions such as bringing previously exclusive titles to rival platforms. Meanwhile, comments linked to a leaked internal memo from new Xbox chief Asha Sharma suggest the company may increasingly explore advertising-based revenue models rather than relying solely on subscriptions.

Business professor Joost van Dreunen noted that under Sharma’s leadership, Xbox could evolve into a platform that monetizes user engagement and attention, rather than just access to games.

Despite the price drop, experts point out that the premium Game Pass Ultimate tier still costs significantly more than it did two years ago. In the UK, the Ultimate plan has been reduced from £22.99 to £16.99 per month, while PC Game Pass now costs £10.99, down from £13.49.

Dring said the changes may particularly impact gamers who subscribe temporarily to play new Call of Duty releases. “These players may now need to wait or purchase the game outright,” he explained.

Existing Call of Duty titles will remain accessible within the Game Pass library.

Some gamers welcomed the move. Content creator Chantelle Parker, known online as “Chantelle Plays,” described the price cut as a positive step for casual players. She said many dedicated Call of Duty fans would likely continue buying new releases separately anyway.

The adjustment comes amid wider criticism of rising subscription costs across the industry, with services like Netflix also increasing prices in multiple regions earlier this year.

Xbox’s latest move signals a shift in strategy as it seeks to balance affordability, content access, and long-term growth in an increasingly competitive gaming market.