Xbox Game Pass Ultimate could add World of Warcraft, Minecraft, and other subscriptions

Following the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price increase in October, some supporters cancelled their subscriptions. The last Microsoft quarterly earnings report revealed a 5% drop in revenue from content and services. Windows Central’s Jez Corden believes that the company could bundle more subscriptions to reverse this trend.

Game Pass Ultimate is straining budgets

On his latest podcast, Corden discussed how the now $30 Ultimate tier is a questionable value. Subscribers must devote time to multiple Xbox games or to other perks, like cloud gaming, to justify the investment. Building on an article from The Verge, adding titles that require monthly fees is a way to lure dedicated gamers. World of Warcraft, Fallout 1st, and Minecraft Realms are potential targets.

The Editor-in-Chief heard that Microsoft was considering the move, but it’s far from a certainty. World of Warcraft would likely draw the most interest, given that gamers pay up to $14.99 per month. Still, it's unclear how the company could accommodate these players without another Game Pass Ultimate price increase.

Currently, WoW memberships include both retail and classic versions of the MMORPG. Microsoft may need to restrict access to one option or work with Blizzard to eliminate less essential features.

Impact of the new Xbox console on Game Pass

World of Warcraft is also not available on consoles, which would make the addition less appealing. Some Game Pass Ultimate benefits remain locked to the Series X|S. Yet, as the podcast highlights, that may not be an issue once the new Xbox console arrives.

Reports suggest that the system, powered by the AMD Magnus APU, will run on Windows. As a result, PC-exclusive selections should become an option for owners. Blizzard developers have also made UI changes that make the title more couch and controller-friendly.

Corden thinks that Microsoft is in a “race against time” to bolster Game Pass before more subscribers leave. Catering to WoW, Minecraft, or Fallout fans is one solution to possibly regain momentum. Regardless, critics have other concerns about how the service is evolving.

Tom Warren of The Verge recently reported that the company is considering merging Premium and PC tiers. That idea threatens to block more users from day-one access to new Xbox games.