Microsoft may be preparing a major shake-up for Xbox Game Pass, and the goal seems clear: make the subscription feel more affordable and more personal for every type of player.
After concerns about pricing and value, Microsoft has dropped the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate monthly cost to $22.99. The PC tier has also become cheaper, signaling that the company is actively rethinking how Game Pass should be packaged and sold. Now, new insider chatter suggests the next step could be an even bigger change: a customizable “pick your own plan” approach that lets subscribers pay only for the features and content they actually want.
A “build-your-own” Xbox Game Pass could introduce optional add-ons for the biggest reasons people subscribe. Instead of being locked into one bundle, players might be able to choose priorities like first-party Xbox games, cloud gaming, or extra subscriptions tied to major Microsoft-owned franchises. Services like World of Warcraft or Minecraft Realms are mentioned as natural fits for this kind of expansion. There’s also renewed talk of broader entertainment bundles, including possibilities that have shown up in past rumors, such as subscription packages that combine gaming with popular streaming services.
This kind of à la carte structure could solve an ongoing problem: some players like Game Pass, but don’t feel the current tiers deliver enough value for the price. With more flexibility, a casual player could strip things down to a cheaper monthly plan that focuses on only what they use. On the other end of the spectrum, dedicated fans could build a premium bundle packed with extras, paying more for a service that feels tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.
The customization idea also connects to Microsoft’s shifting stance on major day-one releases—especially Call of Duty. According to the report, bringing new Call of Duty titles to Game Pass immediately wasn’t the win it was expected to be. It reportedly undercut full-game sales while failing to drive enough new subscriptions to offset the lost revenue. By pulling back on day-one availability for a massive first-party franchise, Microsoft may be trying to restore sales income while keeping Xbox Game Pass pricing and perceived value in a more sustainable place.
That strategy likely depends on the franchise’s most committed fans continuing to buy the games at full price, at least until those titles arrive later on certain Game Pass tiers. At the same time, Microsoft appears to recognize that not everyone subscribes for the same reason. The company has already acknowledged that its audience spans different regions, preferences, and play styles—and that there isn’t a single subscription model that works best for everyone.
Still, making Xbox Game Pass more customizable isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. The service already includes multiple tiers, and adding toggles for perks like cloud gaming, first-party access, and bundled subscriptions could make the lineup harder to understand rather than easier. Microsoft would need to balance flexibility with clarity, so players can quickly see what they’re paying for and what they’re missing.
If the insider talk turns into reality, Xbox Game Pass may be headed toward a future where you don’t just choose a tier—you assemble your own subscription. For players frustrated by rising costs or paying for features they never use, that could be exactly the kind of change that makes Game Pass feel worth it again.
