Microsoft Reacts To Xbox Game Pass Rumor That Could Change The Service In A Big Way
Microsoft has responded to rumors suggesting significant changes to Xbox Game Pass in 2027. According to the leak from ResetEra user Slayven—who has a track record of accurate Xbox reporting—the company is considering splitting Game Pass into two separate offerings.
Under the proposed restructuring, Game Pass would be bifurcated into an ad-supported tier priced at $13 per month and an ad-free tier at $20 per month. This represents a notable shift in Microsoft’s pricing strategy, with the ad-free option costing $3 less than the current Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
The most significant proposed change involves the removal of day-one releases for new games, with this shift potentially beginning in the February-April 2027 window. This would represent a fundamental change to Game Pass’s core value proposition, which has historically emphasized providing access to major new releases on the same day they launch.
Microsoft’s official response emphasized that the company “regularly tests different Game Pass offerings,” suggesting it evaluates various subscription models but stopping short of confirming or denying the specific changes outlined in the rumor. The statement leaves open the possibility that these changes are under consideration without committing to any specific implementation.
The credibility of the leak has been partially validated by known leaker NateTheHate, who has confirmed that the ResetEra user has a track record of legitimate sources. However, as these remain unconfirmed rumors, the actual implementation of these changes remains speculative.