Essential is now the new name for Xbox Game Pass Core, and it's the cheapest version of the service. It'll remain at $9.99 per-month and provide access to 50+ games across console and PC, while also offering unlimited access to Xbox Cloud Gaming and an array of in-game benefits for free-to-play titles.

Microsoft is reworking its Xbox Game Pass offerings, with new names for its three subscription tiers and a price hike on the Ultimate tier — the only tier that offers day-one access to new games from Xbox Game Studios. Perhaps the biggest impact will be a $10 price increase to Game Pass Ultimate, which will now cost $29.99 per month.

Xbox has announced changes to its Game Pass programs, including notable price spikes for Ultimate and PC-only users and new inclusions for all tiers.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is moving from $19.99 a month to $29.99 a month, which is a surprising $10 increase. While Microsoft increased the price of Game Pass Ultimate last year wi

Xbox is raising its Game Pass prices ahead of the launch of two new handheld consoles on Oct. 16. The PC Game Pass plan had previously cost $11.99 per month, while the “Ultimate” ran $19.99/month.

Microsoft are charging Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Pass subscribers 50% and 40% more respectively, in return for larger game catalogues and other features.