Xbox Game Pass Is Getting a Revamp!  Here’s What You Need to Know

Xbox Game Pass Is Getting a Revamp!  Here’s What You Need to Know

Microsoft is shaking things up: its Xbox Game Pass subscription is being restructured into three tiers — Essential, Premium, and Ultimate — with changes to benefits, libraries, and yes, pricing. If you’re an Xbox or PC gamer (or cloud gamer), this is worth paying attention to — especially if you live in South Africa, where local pricing is set for a steep hike.

What’s Changing & Why

The new three‑plan model replaces existing tiers.

• Game Pass Core becomes Essential
• Standard becomes Premium
• Ultimate remains Ultimate — but with more features (and a higher cost)

Microsoft’s goal is to give users more flexibility depending on how and where they play (console, PC, or via the cloud).

A major shift: cloud gaming is now included in all tiers — you no longer need the top-tier subscription just to stream games across devices.

Xbox is also leaning heavily into added value for Premium and Ultimate tiers: Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft+ Classics, upgraded Rewards points, and more day-one titles — especially for Ultimate subscribers.

New Features by Tier (and What You Actually Get)

Tier	Approx. Price (South Africa)	Game Library	Cloud / Streaming	Extras & Rewards
Ultimate	R349/month	400+ games + ~75 day‑one titles per year	Highest streaming quality, lowest wait times	Fortnite Crew (Battle Pass + V‑Bucks), Ubisoft+ Classics, up to R1,700/yr in rewards, 30% back on select titles
Premium	R199/month	~200+ games (console, PC, cloud)	Unlimited cloud gaming	In‑game perks (LoL, Warzone, etc.), up to R850/yr in rewards, 5% back on Game Pass titles
Essential	R139/month	Curated 50+ games (console + PC)	Full cloud access	Entry-level rewards (~R425/yr), points on purchases & DLC

The South African Price Hike — What You Need to Know

• Essential (formerly Core) jumps from R79 to R139/month — a 76% increase.
• Premium (formerly Standard) rises from R149 to R199/month — up 34%.
• PC-only plan more than doubles from R119 to R249/month — a 109% increase.
• Ultimate climbs steeply from R199 to R349/month — a 75% hike.

Cloud gaming is now accessible across all tiers — so you technically get more for your money — but whether that extra value makes up for the cost increase will depend on how you play.

Because all plans now include streaming, some users may consider downgrading if they don’t need the Ultimate perks. However, doing so means losing day-one titles, Fortnite Crew, and a bigger rewards system.

Microsoft says it will “regularly evaluate exchange rates and market conditions,” so future adjustments — up or down — remain on the table.

Microsoft is repositioning Game Pass to better fit a wide spectrum of gamers — from casuals who want quick access to a curated library, to hardcore players chasing exclusive perks, cloud convenience, and day-one titles.

But with major price hikes, particularly in South Africa, many will now have to reassess their subscriptions:

• Are you using enough features to justify the price?
• Do you need day-one access or just want a stable library?
• Is the rewards program enough to offset the monthly costs?

As always, it’s worth reviewing your usage before you renew or upgrade. The value is there — but only if you’re actually tapping into it.