Gamers may soon face yet another price increase for Xbox Game Pass, according to new findings within the Xbox Cloud Gaming code. The discovery, made by Better xCloud enhancement project creator RedPhx, suggests Microsoft may be preparing to raise subscription fees once more—a move unlikely to be welcomed by the community.
A new notification type labeled “SubscriptionPriceIncrease” was recently spotted in xCloud’s backend, potentially signaling that Microsoft is testing or preparing for another update to its pricing model. While not yet confirmed, the name leaves little room for interpretation.
A History of Rising Costs
Xbox Game Pass launched in July 2017 and has grown into one of gaming’s most popular subscription services, boasting over 35 million active subscribers. The service is known for offering access to major day-one releases and a rotating catalog of quality titles. However, it hasn’t been immune to controversy—especially when it comes to pricing.
Just last year, Microsoft raised the cost of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $17 to $20 per month, while PC Game Pass went from $10 to $12. The company also introduced the Game Pass Standard tier, which excludes day-one releases—leading to backlash from players who saw it as a downgrade masked as a budget option.
Adding fuel to the fire, Microsoft also bumped the price of its first-party AAA titles from $70 to $80 in 2025, reinforcing concerns that subscription costs could follow the same trajectory.
2025: A Strong Year for Game Pass
Despite the growing costs, 2025 has been a stellar year for Xbox Game Pass. Subscribers have enjoyed high-quality releases such as:
- Oblivion Remastered
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Balatro
- Doom: The Dark Ages
Looking ahead, the lineup remains strong. October 2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster month, with Fable, Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2 all expected to hit the service—some on day one.
Community Reaction and What Comes Next
While nothing has been officially announced, the presence of the “SubscriptionPriceIncrease” tag is a strong indicator that Microsoft is at least preparing for the possibility. Given the mixed reactions to previous price adjustments, another hike could further strain subscriber goodwill.
As always, it’s wise to treat such early findings with caution. Until Microsoft confirms any changes, these details remain speculative.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
