Xbox Game Pass to Offer Customizable Plans: What Gamers Need to Know

Microsoft is reportedly transforming Xbox Game Pass into a more flexible subscription service by introducing a "pick your own plan" model. According to insider Jez Corden, citing Microsoft sources, this change aims to let users customize their Game Pass plans by selecting specific features they want included.

"Microsoft sources tell me that the longer-term goal for Xbox Game Pass is to make it more flexible," Corden stated. He added, "a sort of 'pick your own plan' formula for Xbox Game Pass is on the cards, essentially, where users can effectively decide what packages of content they want to see as part of their plan."

Under this new model, Game Pass users could remove or add features such as cloud gaming or day-one games to tailor their subscriptions to their preferences. For example, users could lower their monthly cost by removing cloud gaming or exchange it for additional day-one titles. The flexibility could also allow bundling with other services like Netflix without significantly increasing the price.

This shift comes after Microsoft reduced the price of Game Pass by removing Call of Duty (CoD) from its day-one program. The move followed criticism over previous price hikes, which saw the Ultimate tier reach nearly $30 per month. The current price for the Ultimate tier is now $22.99 per month, making it a more affordable option for gamers.

Under the leadership of Asha Sharma, Xbox is undergoing a significant overhaul. Sharma, the chief executive, hinted at increased flexibility for Game Pass in a recent post about a new Discord partnership but did not provide further details about future plans.

While the potential for more choice and buyer freedom is welcome, the execution of Game Pass has faced challenges in the past. The introduction of customizable plans could address these concerns by offering gamers greater control over their subscriptions.

For now, Microsoft's plans remain unconfirmed, and gamers will have to wait for official announcements to see how these changes unfold.