--- title: "Microsoft Plans Overhaul of Xbox Game Pass Subscription Service" url: https://newscentral.site/microsoft-plans-overhaul-of-xbox-game-pass-subscription-service/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Technology" published: 2026-10-24T18:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-24T20:54:48.663Z id: 632fc032-b82d-48f7-9b8c-714c1642829c source: "Engadget https://www.engadget.com/2296222/xbox-game-pass-pick-which-features/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/microsoft-plans-overhaul-of-xbox-game-pass-subscription-service/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Microsoft Plans Overhaul of Xbox Game Pass Subscription Service Microsoft is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, allowing subscribers to build their own custom bundle of features and games. Microsoft is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service. According to industry insiders, subscribers will soon be able to build their own custom bundle of features and games, rather than being locked into predetermined tiers. This move comes as part of a broader effort by Microsoft's new CEO Asha Sharma to revamp the company's gaming division. Since taking over in February, Sharma has overseen a number of major changes, including layoffs and studio sales. The goal is to transform Xbox into a more viable business, and it seems that bigger changes are still on the horizon. One potential indication of this shift is the rumored pricing for Microsoft's next-gen Project Helix consoles, which could start at an eye-watering $1,800. This would be a significant increase over previous console prices, and may signal a major change in Xbox's business strategy. However, it remains to be seen whether this will ultimately pay off. The proposed changes to Game Pass are aimed at making the service more flexible and appealing to both new and existing customers. Currently, subscribers must choose from set tiers that include various features such as online multiplayer and access to a rotating library of games. By allowing users to pick and choose which features they want, Microsoft hopes to make the subscription service more attractive and affordable. As part of this revamp, Xbox has already made some concessions, including a price cut to its most expensive Game Pass Ultimate tier last year following a price hike in 2025. The exact details of the new Game Pass structure are still unclear, but it's likely that we'll see significant changes to the way subscribers can access and pay for Xbox features and games. Xbox's current Game Pass structure offers varying levels of access to games and features at different price points. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan is one of the most comprehensive options, providing a library of over 500 games, day-one releases, bundled subscriptions like Fortnite Crew and EA Play, online multiplayer capabilities, and up to 15 hours of game streaming per month. In contrast, the Xbox Game Pass Premium tier offers access to around 200 games, as well as online multiplayer and up to 10 hours of game streaming. The Xbox Game Pass Essential plan is a more stripped-down version of the service, featuring a library of over 50 games, online multiplayer capabilities, and up to five hours of game streaming per month. Xbox's plans for a more flexible subscription model have been in the works for some time, with reports suggesting that users may soon be able to pick and choose which features they want to include in their plan. Xbox is reportedly planning a significant revamp of its Game Pass subscription service, where users would have the option to pay for specific features rather than a bundled package. According to sources familiar with the company's strategy, this new approach would involve a tiered structure, allowing players to pick and choose which add-ons they want to include in their plan. This could potentially cover console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer capabilities. The implications of such a system are still unclear, but it suggests that Xbox is open to offering customers more flexibility when it comes to paying for its services. The company has already begun testing a model where non-Game Pass subscribers can pay to stream individual games. If this trend continues, the traditional subscription service may become less relevant. The move towards à la carte pricing would give players greater control over their costs, which is likely to become increasingly important as game prices and console costs continue to rise. This shift in approach could also signal a broader industry trend, where consumers are given more options for how they pay for gaming services. --- Source: [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2296222/xbox-game-pass-pick-which-features/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/microsoft-plans-overhaul-of-xbox-game-pass-subscription-service/