Xbox Game Pass May Let Subscribers Build Their Own Plan

Microsoft is reportedly preparing a major overhaul of Xbox Game Pass that would let subscribers pick the features they want instead of buying a preset bundle. According to people familiar with the strategy, the plan includes à la carte add-ons for console-only games, cloud gaming and multiplayer, all within a tiered structure.

How it would work in practice is still unclear. The idea isn't entirely new: in April, Windows Central reported that Xbox hoped to eventually offer a more flexible Game Pass where users decide which content packages belong in their plan. One example would be dropping bundled extras such as Fortnite Crew to lower the monthly price.

Today's lineup

Game Pass currently has four options. Ultimate costs $23 a month and includes over 500 games, day-one releases, Fortnite Crew, EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics, online multiplayer and up to 15 hours of streaming. Premium costs $15 with over 200 games, multiplayer and up to 10 hours of streaming. Essential costs $10 with over 50 games, multiplayer and up to five hours of streaming. PC Game Pass costs $14 and offers over 300 PC games, day-one releases and EA Play.

The changes come during a turbulent stretch for Xbox. Since Asha Sharma became CEO in February, the gaming division has seen layoffs, studio sales and product tweaks as she tries to make the brand a viable business. Shortly after she took over, Xbox cut the price of Game Pass Ultimate, following a price hike in 2025. There is also speculation that the next-gen Project Helix consoles could start at $1,800.

Why it matters

A build-your-own model could make Game Pass cheaper and more attractive to newcomers and current members, who would pay only for what they use. Xbox has also begun previewing a way for people without a Game Pass subscription to pay to stream games, a sign that it is open to more payment options.

Splitting the service into optional payments wouldn't necessarily make things simpler for players, but it would give them more control over what they spend. That may matter more as the cost of games and consoles keeps rising. Whether flexibility alone can turn around Xbox's fortunes remains an open question.