Xbox Game Pass could see cheaper tiers and Netflix bundle to soften price increase blow

Since taking over as Microsoft Gaming CEO, Asha Sharma has responded to criticism about the brand. She assured fans that the company remained committed to Xbox consoles. A new paywalled report from The Information explains that Sharma may also address the much-criticized Xbox Game Pass price increase.

The business-oriented tech site reveals that, according to multiple sources, the CEO is considering “revamping pricing models to offer lower-priced tiers.” The goal would be to make Xbox consoles and the subscription plan appeal to a “broader range of customers.”

Current Xbox Game Pass prices

In early October 2025, Microsoft announced significant Game Pass price increases. The Ultimate tier now costs $29.99 per month, while Premium asks for $14.99 every 30 days. That limits how many players have access to day-one releases, although the PC tier survives for now. Buyers on a budget can already choose the $9.99 Essential, but it provides even fewer perks.

In recent months, rumors have surfaced that a free, ad-based option could arrive. Still, it’s more likely to be a standalone Xbox Cloud Gaming service. Another way to potentially reduce costs is to bundle Game Pass with other subscriptions.

Future Game Pass bundles

Soon after Sharma started in her new role, Window Central’s Jez Corden discussed rumblings about the future of Game Pass. One possibility is that World of Warcraft fans would no longer have to pay for two subscriptions. Likewise, Fallout 1st and Minecraft Realms may become more affordable for Xbox fans.

The company could also explore partnerships outside the gaming world. The Information divulged that Sharma and Netflix CEO Greg Peters have had discussions. Any plans are preliminary, as Peters says Microsoft is trying to “figure out how to make the Game Pass bundle work for Microsoft.”

Unfortunately, it’s not clear if any new tier or bundle would offer the same value for less money. Regardless, along with a discount to encourage console upgrades, Microsoft may make the Xbox Game Pass price increase more palatable.