Microsoft is exploring a merger of its PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Premium tiers, according to reports from Windows Central and The Verge. The potential restructuring would follow a significant overhaul of the subscription service in late 2025.
The company is reportedly considering combining the $16.49 PC Game Pass with the $14.99 Xbox Game Pass Premium tier. This move would create a unified mid-tier subscription across console, PC, and cloud platforms.
PC Game Pass currently offers day-one access to major titles on Windows for its monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Premium, which replaced the Standard plan, lacks this day-one access despite its higher price point compared to the Essential tier.
The merger could mean PC players lose standalone access to launch-day releases. Subscribers wanting comprehensive coverage would need to upgrade to the $29.99 Ultimate tier, which includes all features across devices.
Microsoft's subscription landscape became more complex after the October 2025 overhaul. The Essential tier starts at $9.99, while PC Game Pass saw a nearly 40% price increase to $16.49 to include day-one blockbusters like Call of Duty.
The proposed changes aim to streamline the experience across platforms by introducing clearer cross-platform tiers.
Microsoft is reportedly discussing plans to further refine the service in 2026, following last year's significant restructuring.
To offset the Ultimate tier's $29.99 monthly cost, Microsoft is doubling down on third-party integrations. Ultimate already includes EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, and a Fortnite Crew subscription as of late 2025.
Sources suggest Microsoft is in talks to add more services to the Ultimate tier throughout 2026. The company wants the monthly cost to function as a comprehensive digital entertainment package.
These software changes may lay groundwork for Microsoft's rumored 2027 next-generation Xbox. Leaks suggest the new console could abandon the traditional Xbox OS in favor of a Windows 11 hybrid environment.
For now, these plans appear exploratory, according to Windows Central. The potential merger represents Microsoft's continued effort to simplify its subscription offerings while maximizing value across its gaming ecosystem.
