Microsoft is exploring significant changes to Xbox Game Pass, including merging PC Game Pass with another tier and bundling more third-party services. The company is in early discussions about expanding its subscription lineup, according to sources familiar with the plans.
The Verge's Tom Warren reports Microsoft is "in the early stages of exploring ways to expand its Game Pass subscription lineup." Sources indicate the company is considering merging Xbox Game Pass Premium with PC Game Pass, creating a unified premium offering across platforms.
These discussions follow Microsoft's 2025 overhaul that increased PC Game Pass by 40% and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate by 50%.
The October 2025 changes also added Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew benefits to the Ultimate tier, which now costs $29 monthly.
Microsoft is reportedly looking at bundling additional third-party services with Game Pass memberships. This approach would follow the existing inclusion of Epic's $11.99 Fortnite Crew subscription in the Ultimate tier, providing more value to offset last year's price increases.
No major changes are expected this year, sources say. The exploration phase includes potential testing of free Xbox Cloud Gaming, though this wouldn't constitute a new Game Pass tier. Windows Central corroborates the potential PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Premium merger.
The 2025 price hikes generated significant backlash, with cancellation requests crashing Game Pass' website. Microsoft officials began discussing expansion ideas following that incident, according to Warren's reporting.
Current Game Pass Ultimate subscribers receive access to hundreds of games, including all future first-party Xbox Game Studios titles at launch. The service also includes cloud gaming across multiple devices and platform-specific benefits like special perks in Riot Games titles.
Microsoft's gaming subscription now faces increased competition as the industry adapts to subscription models. The company's exploration of service bundling and tier consolidation reflects broader industry trends toward value-added subscriptions, including Microsoft's plans to release major Xbox franchises on PlayStation in 2026.
Game Pass continues adding major titles, with February 2026 including Death Stranding: Director's Cut, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, and day-one releases like Squanch Games' High on Life 2. The service maintains its Netflix-style access to hundreds of games for flat monthly fees.
