Xbox did cut the U.S. prices of Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass in April 2026, but the Netflix bundle discussed in March was never confirmed in the latest reporting reviewed. The price reductions also came with a significant trade-off: new Call of Duty games will no longer arrive on those plans at launch.
What Xbox’s new boss was reportedly considering
A March 24, 2026 report said Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wanted Game Pass and future consoles to reach more customers. Lower-priced subscription tiers and a possible ad-supported option were discussed as ways to broaden access, but these were reported considerations—not announced features or a formal product roadmap. Stuff’s report and GameSpot’s contemporaneous coverage both attributed the possibilities to reporting by The Information.
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What happened to the Netflix bundle idea?
Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters said he and Sharma had discussed possible subscription bundles. He described the conversation as exploratory, noting that a bundle would need to work for consumers and both companies, and that Microsoft was still figuring out how a Game Pass bundle could work for Microsoft. That establishes discussion, not an agreement, launch date, price, or terms. In a May 28, 2026 report, GameSpot still described the idea as unconfirmed. The sources reviewed do not establish whether its status changed after May. GameSpot’s May report also quoted Sharma, in a staff memo, saying the price reduction had helped acquisition and retention: “Since our price reduction we have seen acquisitions grow and retention improve, which is a good first step.”
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhat Xbox officially changed in April
On April 21, 2026, Xbox announced lower U.S. monthly prices for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Xbox said prices may vary by region, so these figures should not be treated as prices in every market. Xbox Wire’s announcement set out the changes:
#1 Best Overall
![Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Cloud Gaming Devices [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bMCG9v4vL._SL160_.jpg)
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
| Plan | Previous U.S. monthly price | New U.S. monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Ultimate | $29.99 | $22.99 |
| PC Game Pass | $16.49 | $13.99 |
The reductions took effect with the April 21 announcement. Reuters reported that Ultimate’s $29.99 price followed a 50% increase; the April cut therefore reversed part, not all, of that earlier increase. Reuters via Investing.com and Bloomberg also reported the cuts.
The Call of Duty trade-off
Alongside the price cuts, Xbox changed when future Call of Duty releases will reach Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. New titles will no longer be included at launch; Xbox said they would be added during the following holiday season, about a year later. Call of Duty games already in the library will remain. Xbox said Ultimate would continue to include hundreds of games across console and PC, in-game benefits, online console multiplayer, unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming, and major day-one releases. Those benefits describe Ultimate’s announcement and should not be assumed to apply to every Game Pass plan.
Rank #2
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
What this means for subscribers
The concrete change is a lower monthly price for two U.S. plans, paired with a later wait for future Call of Duty games on Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The cheaper tiers and ad-supported option mentioned in March remain reported possibilities, not confirmed products. A Netflix bundle likewise remains unconfirmed in the latest reporting cited here; no price or eligibility details have been announced in the sources reviewed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
Rank #4
![$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MEiiMQqmL._SL160_.jpg)
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Rank #3
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
